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.

 

 

 

  • GM shows 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL

    General Motors revealed today redesigned large sport-utility vehicles — Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL — which are among the company’s most profitable vehicles.

    The 2015 model-year SUVs, which will hit showrooms between January and April 2014, share the same vehicle architecture with GM’s recently redesigned full-size pickup trucks.

    Separately, GM is expected to reveal the redesigned CadillacEscalade on Oct. 7 in New York.

  • Cadillac Applies Art and Science to CTS Engine Sounds

    DETROIT – Cadillac engineers applied the principles of psychoacoustics, the science of sound perception, and car-guy instinct to create powerful and pleasant exhaust notes for the all-new 2014 CTS midsize luxury sedan and CTS Vsport.

    Knowing that engine sound communicates throttle response to the driver, CTS engineers uniquely tuned each selectable driving mode – Tour, Sport and Track – to provide the driver with a specific sound impression of what’s happening under the hood.

    Tour mode purrs with refinement. Sport mode growls with power. Track mode, only available on the CTS Vsport equipped with Cadillac’s first Twin-Turbo engine, roars even more aggressively.
     

  • 2014 Ram Trucks Deliver Easy-to-use Communications, Navigation and Entertainment Features to Keep Drivers Informed, Connected and Productive

    September 10, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The 2014 Ram Truck lineup offers a truckload of innovative, segment-exclusive features and services, adding to an already best-in-class interior. For 2014, Ram Truck offers the latest Uconnect systems, with an available six- or 12-month Uconnect Access trial, in addition to a trial of Uconnect Access Via Mobile (late availability), which enables drivers to listen to and control their personal Aha, iHeartRadio, Pandora and Slacker Internet radio accounts via the 8.4-inch touchscreen display.

    Smart Uconnect system
    Two Uconnect systems are offered to provide Ram Truck customers with a range of features and connectivity options to best suit their needs, including:
    Uconnect 8.4A — features an 8.4-inch color touchscreen and offers customers the flexibility to purchase navigation after the vehicle sale. The system also provides Ram Truck customers with multiple ways to stay connected. Drivers can use the voice recognition technology to place handsfree phone calls, control their music or send a text message. There are a variety of ways to access digital music content, including SiriusXM Radio, access to a SD, USB and 3.5 mm auxiliary input in the media console, and all are standard. Also, an optional CD player is located in the lower storage bin of the center console.

    Uconnect 8.4AN — features an 8.4-inch color touchscreen with standard navigation and provides Ram Truck customers with multiple handsfree ways to stay entertained in their truck.
     

  • GM keeps presidential limo development secret

    Frankfurt — General Motors Co. — which has been exclusively building the limousines that ferry the president around for more than 30 years — isn't talking about the next-generation Cadillac presidential limousine.

    Last month, NBC "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno received a toy model of the limo — nicknamed "The Beast" — from President Barack Obama during a stop on the show. "My friend (GM vice president for global design) Ed Welburn designed that car," Leno told Obama.

     

  • 2014 Chevrolet Sonic Enhances Subcompact Safety

    DETROIT – The 2014 Chevrolet Sonic is available with even more advanced-safety features, including a rear-vision camera, Forward Collision Alert, and Lane Departure Warning.

    When activated, Forward Collision Alert warns drivers if they are approaching a vehicle too quickly. Lane Departure Warning gives an alert when the vehicle veers from a marked roadway lane. The rear-vision camera, enabled by the Chevrolet MyLink’s 7-inch digital touch-screen, helps give drivers a clearer view of stationary objects behind the vehicle.