The passage discusses the use of statistical process control (SPC) and continuous improvement initiatives in the automotive industry. It provides an overview of SPC as a scientific methodology for quality management and process improvement. It then presents a case study of Cooper Tire, which implemented SPC tools to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness through real-time quality monitoring and data-driven process adjustments. The key objectives of SPC are highlighted as providing productivity and quality data in real time to improve understanding of production variations.