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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For Puts Pedal To Metal On In-Car Electronics
We typically think of cars as hard goods, like refrigerators and stoves, but the car of the future will be made up of millions of lines of software, as well as a chassis, engine, and gracefully sculpted body, said Ford CTO Paul Mascarenas at the InformationWeek 500 Conference in Dana Point, Calif.
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Cadillac ATS wins Esquire Car of the Year award
General Motors' all-new Cadillac compact sedan won Esquire magazine's 2012 Car of the Year award.
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Chrysler Models for Next 2 Years Boost Dealers' Faith
Chrysler Group LLC, the automaker controlled by Fiat SpA (F), provided dealers a preview of its model lineup for the next two years, increasing confidence that the automaker can continue market-share gains, dealers said.
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GM cruises on strong US and China revenue
General Motors (GM +1.26%) continued to perform strongly in the U.S. as its August sales climbed 10% to 240,520 vehicles, helped by increased demand for the Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Impala, which grew 19%, 22% and 28%, respectively.
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As it gears up for the future, Ford to add 1,200 workers in Flat Rock
Ford's $555-million investment at the renamed Flat Rock Assembly Plant will start paying off next spring with the hiring of a second shift of 1,200 workers to add production of the 2013 Ford Fusion.