Approving distributors as suppliers for automotive company

Does anybody have the experience of approving distributors as suppliers for the automotive company?
How do you assess the QMS of such supplier without assessing the actual manufacturing site?
How do you approve the parts (PPAP)?
How do you confirm the production run? Etc.
Thanks in advance for any reply.

Start with the needs of your customers and your distributor selection criteria.

Which aspects of service performance are most important to your customers?

Q_Anna said:

Does anybody have the experience of approving distributors as suppliers for the automotive company?
How do you assess the QMS of such supplier without assessing the actual manufacturing site?
How do you approve the parts (PPAP)?
How do you confirm the production run? Etc.
Thanks in advance for any reply.

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In my opinion, distributors are essentially dealers, as indicated by the IATF. I insist on ISO9001 compliance from them (which is non-negotiable). After that, I entrust my expectations for parts quality and/or systems to each tier-1 supplier (dealer) and anticipate them to follow the same protocol with their suppliers. This implies that even if a distributor cannot offer the expected 'non-conformity' service, you will always be obligated to obtain information about Tier 2 and communicate through Tier 1 to reach the actual parts maker.

It is beneficial that both Tier 2 and Tier X are aware of your existence and take responsibility for the parts.