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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Meet the auto industry's favorite Republican
Matt Blunt has a big job ahead of him.
As the new head of the American Automotive Policy Council, a lobbying group formed in late 2009 by Chrysler, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM), the former governor of Missouri has a story to tell about America's beleaguered auto companies: They're back.
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GM Begins Work On Electric Motor Factory
General Motors Co. says it broke ground today on an electric motor plant in White Marsh, Md., near Baltimore, where it will manufacture major components used in electric cars. GM says the plant, which is scheduled to open in 2013, will be the first by a big U.S. automaker to be dedicated to vehicle electrification.
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GM leads in clean energy patents: study
DETROIT — General Motors received more clean energy patents in the past year than any other company, a study released Friday said.
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Daring Francois drives Chrysler marketing in a new direction
Olivier Francois, CEO of Chrysler brand and Chief Marketing Officer for all of Chrysler, drives Chrysler marketing in a new direction.
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2012 Ford Focus is 'single best compact car in the world'
When January sales figures arrived last week, the automotive conventional wisdom was spun on its head. The Ford Fusion outsold the Honda Accord. Chevrolet sold nearly 30 percent more Cruzes than Toyota sold Priuses. What's going on?