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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MyFord Mobile Data Show Ford Plug-Ins Use Enough Electric-Only Miles to Circle World Eight Times – Every Day
Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles rack up enough electric-only miles every day to drive around the earth nearly eight times – a number rapidly increasing as Ford continues investing in infrastructure while exclusive features like MyFord® Mobile help improve driving habits.
Data show Ford plug-in hybrids are being driven about 203,000 electric miles every day and more than 8,400 miles every hour. The aggregate data are collected through MyFord Mobile, available on Ford’s plug-in vehicles, Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi, and Focus Electric.
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Ford buys small software startup to bolster 'connected car' offerings
Ford Motor Co has bought a five-year-old software company for less than $10 million in a move the No. 2 U.S. automaker hopes will beef up its in-car connectivity that is critical to winning over younger, more affluent buyers.
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General Motors to unveil redesigned 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra trucks in Flint on Sept. 26
General Motors will unveil its highly anticipated next-generation 2015 Heavy Duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks at the Flint Assembly Plant – the location where a large quantity of the trucks will be manufactured – at 3100 Van Slyke Rd. on Thursday, Sept. 26.
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Ford Installs 500,000th 6.7-Liter Power Stroke V8 Turbocharged Diesel Engine
Ford, America’s truck leader, announced the installation of its 500,000th 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbocharged diesel engine, which went into a new 2014 Ford Super Duty F-350 Lariat pickup truck. The engine was installed yesterday at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.
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Ford reveals 'Taxi of the Future'
Taxi of Tomorrow, meet the Taxi of the Future.
Confused? Time travel always does that.