According to Automotive News, some auto manufacturers are beginning to use more automated processes to purchase parts.

In recent months, the relationship between auto manufacturers and suppliers has been put to the test because component manufacturers have felt great financial pressure brought by inflation and material shortage. Now, some auto companies begin to automate the parts procurement process, so that the procurement team can have more time to manage the increasingly complex supply chain problems.

Inga Von Seelen, chief procurement officer of Volkswagen America Group, said that Volkswagen was promoting "fully automated purchase" of certain parts. She said that the company can set approval and target settings in advance, and then these parts can be "completely purchased by computers".

A spokesman for a large tier one supplier said that the Detroit Big Three were either taking action to automate some purchase procedures or discussing such action. Because of the sensitivity of this topic, the speaker asked not to be identified.

He said that his own company was moving towards automated processes "whenever possible".