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.

 

 

 

  • Ford lets cars find parking spots

    Ford Motor Co. says it has developed a car that can sniff out open parking spaces ahead — and then park itself in that space, even without a driver behind the wheel.

    The Dearborn automaker intends to show off the feature today to journalists at its proving ground in Belgium. Ford has not announced plans to include the technology in specific vehicles, but said it will take a serious look at implementing it in the future.


     

  • Chrysler Has A New Spokesperson, And He Plays A Mean Jazz Flute

    Good morning, AdLand. Here's what you need to know today:

    Chrysler is rolling out a new slate of commercials for the 2014 Dodge Durango that will star Will Ferrell as his Ron Burgundy character from the movie "Anchorman." "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" is scheduled to be released in theaters in December.

     

     

  • Assembly line enters new era

    Today’s moving automobile assembly lines are part human and part machine, capable of switching on the fly to different models of cars and trucks according to demand. Computer-controlled robots perform precise welds on chassis parts, while workers carry out tasks that machines alone cannot.
     

  • Mark Phelan: Lincoln MKZ hybrid delivers technology and efficiency

    Call me Goldilocks. Keep your hands to yourself, sailor. This ain’t Fleet Week. It’s the week I drove the 3-star 2013 Lincoln MKZ hybrid luxury sedan.

    The MKZ hybrid’s fuel economy, technology, features and price are just right. It’s the car to beat for drivers aiming to minimize their carbon footprint and maximize comfort behind the wheel. The hybrid delivers a clear advantage in technology and efficiency.

  • Riley Technologies Continues Preparation of Viper GT3-R for 2014 Debut

    September 17, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - With the 52nd running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona only four months away, Riley Technologies and veteran racer Ben Keating remain on schedule to debut the Viper GT3-R when the United SportsCar Racing (USCR) season opens in January.

    Built as the first mass-produced, GT3-based car designed and manufactured in the United States, the Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Motorsports V-10 thoroughbred emerges from the factory eligible for a wide variety of competition arenas in addition to USCR, including the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), North American Road Racing Association (NARRA), Pirelli World Challenge GT Class and International GT3 Championships.