---
title: Making Sense of the New AIAG/VDA SPC Standard
description: In July 2026 the newly aligned AIAG/VDA rules were released. These guidelines and best practices are something to consider in the automotive manufacturing industry.
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# Making Sense of the New AIAG/VDA SPC Standard
Stacey McDaniel | 10/16/2026
Topics: [Automotive](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/automotive), [Manufacturing](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/manufacturing), [Continuous Improvement](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/continuous-improvement), [Quality Improvement](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/quality-improvement)
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In an industry rife with regulations and rules, supply chain issues, tariffs, and keeping up with technology and staffing, automotive manufacturers have a lot to manage. Then there are also the newly aligned AIAG & VDA rules. These guidelines and best practices are something to consider in this competitive industry.
## **AIAG and VDA—the background**
The AIAG [(Automotive Industry Action Group)](https://www.aiag.org/) was founded in 1982 by Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors to help the automakers and their suppliers work together on shared industry issues. It was incorporated on May 5, 1982, and from the outset, AIAG wanted to become the international quality management system standard for the automotive industry. That didn’t happen because there was also the [VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie](https://www.vda.de/de) or the German Association of the Automotive Industry), which was the standard in Europe. For decades, AIAG and VDA maintained separate FMEA guidance, reflecting approaches that were not fully aligned. Suppliers serving both U.S. and German OEMs often had to build two versions of the same documents, notably for FMEA, because the methods and forms differed.
## **Aiag and vda unite in 2026**
On July 1, 2026, the first [joint AIAG & VDA Statistical Process Control (SPC)](https://www.aiag.org/about-aiag/newsroom/articles/2026/07/01/international-cooperation-for-higher-quality--vda-and-aiag-publish-joint-standard-for-statistical-process-control-in-the-automotive-industry) manual was published, unifying both practices into a single, ISO‑aligned standard for the global automotive industry.
The new manual expands on several key areas:
- Process control loop: Links ongoing monitoring with regular reviews of past results and overall product, process, and system performance.
- Choosing control charts: Explains how to select a chart based on the process, the data, and what you need to monitor, including when the data aren’t normally distributed.
- Capability studies: Covers machine performance, early process performance, and ongoing process capability, with guidance on using and interpreting capability indices.
- Changes over time**:** Addresses patterns such as drift, cycles, tool wear, and process degradation.
- Related quality tools: Shows how SPC connects with FMEA, Control Plans, MSA/VDA 5, and APQP/PPAP activities.
- Consistent terminology and reporting: It encourages more consistent SPC methods and documentation across the global supply chain
## **How Minitab can help with aiag/vda compliance**
Change is hard, especially if it’s not mandated. Auto manufacturers may be hesitant to undertake AIAG/VDA compliance because it seems daunting, and expensive. Minitab has a unique relationship with these guidelines because we have been a part of forming them. Minitab is one of the few software companies on the committee forging the content for the 2026 AIAG/VDA SPC manual, and Minitab Statistical Software created updates to support all standards noted in the manual ([Desktop V22.6, Minitab Solution Center October release](https://www.minitab.com/en-us/support/minitab/minitab-software-updates/#release-mss-minitab-statistical-software-21-october-2026-0)).
[Minitab Statistical Software](https://www.minitab.com/en-us/products/minitab/) has added specific options for automotive manufacturing to make the compliance process easier with prompts to help you determine:
- Stability: Is the process behaving consistently over time?
- Capability: Can that stable process reliably meet the customer’s specification limits?
Control charts will help you monitor process trends over time, considering important variables. Control limits are calculated from process behavior, not from specifications. You can display specs on the same chart for context, but they don’t determine the control limits.
Minitab also offers both [traditional capability analysis](https://support.minitab.com/en-us/minitab/help-and-how-to/quality-and-process-improvement/capability-analysis/supporting-topics/basics/capability-analyses-in-minitab/) (including AIAG/VDA aligned methods) and [Real‑Time SPC](https://www.minitab.com/en-us/products/real-time-spc/) to monitor and evaluate process performance live, enabling immediate quality decisions. Capability analysis dialogs in Minitab allow you to select capability and performance index names that align with the harmonized AIAG/VDA SPC manual, making results easier to interpret and communicate across industries.
### **Try Minitab and explore** **[](https://blog.minitab.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLBU%2FYbR4qu4dsx6Wzhr4irA1OHWb5l7%2FgTLqdvabPxis%2FQFKGMjesyW4omtRB5WOqyaxXylt8426M2l8hpsrzMBtxU62KYaL0UT%2Bj5G6LTprI3jARbMmZJfzUdVXNI2zXhiDRGSYQri1cPNK5PCnyUMYoCy27Md0yEzbhQjgWfyAa2wVA1jkCfvlEMnvvz5%2FQCqGfOrY5fNARkcqKBv0AZdA%2F5rXv4W5U3NdvuWFR0OPZWzU55AypBW7jDxMMxAg%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=219952999506&portalId=3447555&hsLang=en)**
If you are considering diving into these regulations, you can count on Minitab to help you every step of the way**.** Ourtechnical support team is available 24x7. If you get stuck or have any questions, you can always reach out.We also offer [training](https://www.minitab.com/en-us/resources-services/services/training/) to make sure you are getting the most out of your compliance efforts.
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