Chrysler Supplier Program Saves $2.1 Billion

Chrysler Corp.'s suppliers are helping the automaker save money in a big way. The company announced that it has achieved $2.1 billion in cost savings through its 1998 SCORE (Supplier Cost Reduction Effort) campaign, an increase of $900 million over last year's total and $600 million ahead of its original goal of $1.5 billion for the 1998 model year. Chrysler says the SCORE program has produced $6 billion in costs savings since its inception in 1989.

The SCORE program invites suppliers to find ways to eliminate waste in the automobile manufacturing process. Chrysler officials say suppliers submit more than 100 ideas a week on methods to reduce costs.