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’s New Pickups Ace Tough New Crash Tests

    WASHINGTON, DC (WWJ) - The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have become the first pickup trucks to get five star rankings in the new, tougher crash tests done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

    The government increased the severity of the crash tests in 2011, saying that it had become too easy to get five star ratings. Since then, no pickup truck had received more than four stars.

  • Ford's Explorer-based Police Interceptor to get 365-hp EcoBoost option

    Speeders beware, the police are going to be getting quite a bit faster. Ford has just announced that it will be offering its 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged, EcoBoost V6 in the Explorer Police Interceptor. The new engine will be joining the existing 3.7-liter V6. The 365-horsepower, 350-pound-foot mill should be familiar to consumers as the powerplant that's found in the Ford Taurus SHO (and its LEO equivalent, the Taurus Police Interceptor) and the Ford Explorer Sport. It should also provide quite a kick in the pants to officers used to the naturally aspirated 3.7 and its 304 ponies and 279 pound-feet of torque.

  • GM to offer wireless charging for smartphones in some 2014 vehicles

    General Motors Co., the largest U.S. automaker, will start offering wireless charging for smartphones in some vehicles next year, said Ran Poliakine, chief executive officer of Powermat Technologies Ltd.

    Instead of plugging in cables to replenish battery power, drivers of some 2014 GM models will be able to place mobile devices onto a Powermat surface inside the car to draw electricity. Phones must be capable of recharging via built-in technology, or use a case designed for the purpose.

     

     

  • Ram 1500 Rumble Bee Concept Buzzes into Detroit for Woodward Dream Cruise

    August 17, 2013 , Woodward Dream Cruise, Mich. - Ten years ago, the Ram Truck Brand introduced the Rumble Bee, a popular model inspired by the Super Bee muscle car of the late ‘60s. Today, Ram unveiled a new HEMI-powered Ram 1500 Rumble Bee concept to celebrate the 10-year anniversary and the heritage of Ram’s unique truck designs that include the Lil Red Express, Warlock and Power Wagon.

    “The Ram 1500 Rumble Bee continues to have a strong fan base and what better place to celebrate its 10-year anniversary than Woodward Dream Cruise,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “There’s a lot of energy surrounding concept trucks and buzz models, and the Ram Design Team revels in creating something that is unique for our customers to enjoy.”  

  • Chevrolet offers sneak peek at new racing Corvette

    MONTEREY, Calif. -- As if anyone had any doubt about a racing version of the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, the answer came Saturday at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

    Without any prior warning to the hundreds of Corvette fans gathered here, what is expected to be the next racing Corvette -- clad in black-and-white camouflage -- took a lap at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.