Motor parts makers are becoming more cautious in their dealings with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, fearing that they could be hit by the three Detroit carmakers’ financial woes.

Suppliers have resorted to various ways to protect themselves. “They have to be more selective about what they supply,” said Michael Robinet, a vice-president at CSM Worldwide, a US-based consultancy. “Volume for volume’s sake is not what it used to be.”