GM improves rating in annual supplier relations study 05/24/2021 4:05 DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co strengthened relations with its suppliers last year despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global semiconductor chip shortage, according to an annual North American survey released on Monday. The No. 1 U.S. automaker improved its score in consulting firm Plante Moran's annual Working Relations Index by 20 points to 289, moving it closer to annual leaders Toyota Motor Corp (347 points) and Honda Motor Co (316 points), both of which saw their scores go up slightly. (https://bit.ly/3fzOYhF) The annual survey measures trust and communication suppliers have with customers, something that translates to better pricing, and supplier willingness to invest in and share new technologies with automakers.