The U.S. Auto Industry is a Leader in Research & Development
Automakers and their suppliers are the world’s third biggest investor in R&D.
Designing and producing autos is a massive engineering challenge, which is why automakers and their suppliers invest approximately $130 billion in R&D each year – behind only pharmaceuticals and technology hardware.
American Automakers are Leaders in Research & Development and Innovation
In the U.S., automakers and their suppliers invested approximately $23 billion in 2018, representing approximately $1,333 of R&D for each car sold here that year, on average.
Over the past decade, automaker R&D has driven braking technology from anti-lock brakes (which help a driver brake faster) to electronic stability control (which keeps a vehicle moving safely when the driver has lost control), to automated emergency steering systems (which control braking, steering, and throttle functions)
Meanwhile, research into the use of new materials, better joining (welding, fasteners, adhesives), and fabrication could reduce a vehicle’s body weight by 10% to 20% from 2014 through 2020.
FCA, Ford, and General Motors each spend more per year than General Electric, Boeing, AT&T, and Tesla.
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GM to build electric Cadillac ELR in 2013 using Chevy Volt powertrain
General Motors plans to build the all-new Cadillac ELR extended-range electric vehicle at its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant.
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Ford's Michigan Assembly in Wayne named Plant of the Year
Ford Motor Co.'s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne has been named ASSEMBLY Magazine's Plant of the Year.
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Ford Gets High EPA Rating For C-MAX Energi Plug-In
Ford Motor Co.'s new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid has received an Environmental Protection Agency-certified fuel-efficiency rating of 100 miles per gallon equivalent.
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'Big Year' Ahead For Chevrolet
Chevrolet will introduce 13 all-new or significantly updated models during 2013 in what one executive calls a "big year" for the General Motors Co. brand.
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Small Cars Driving Up Vehicle Sales Charts
Small cars are selling big for brands from Chevrolet and Fiat to Toyota, Volkswagen and Honda, on pace to capture the largest share of the U.S. auto market since 1993 and driving the best sales month in four years.