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Attempts to answer the question: why are Japanese firms better at managing long‐term supplier relationships? Discusses the results from a three‐year research project that focuses on the way in which Japanese transplants and UK non‐Japanese‐owned vehicle manufacturers manage their relationships. The research attempts to define the concept of trust, by using existing academic models. Using the existing literature examines how Japanese and non‐Japanese‐owned (UK) manufacturers work with their first tier suppliers. The research is primarily qualitative due to the small sample size of non‐Japanese‐owned and Japanese vehicle manufacturers; however, the research does examine five vehicle manufacturers and 19 relationships. Concludes with the development of a conceptual model for mutually advantageous business relationships, which is an attempt to produce a workable inventory of trust for use by both customers and suppliers.