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.

 

 

 

  • Dodge, Fiat Models Receive J.D. Power APEAL Awards

    July 24, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The 2013 Dodge Charger and Fiat 500 lead their segments in J.D. Power’s 2013 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study™, while the Ram Truck brand ranks as the highest non-premium brand in the industry.

    The APEAL Study measures how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on customer evaluations of 77 vehicle attributes of new 2013 model year vehicles. Customers are surveyed after 90 days of ownership at the same time as J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study (IQS). According to J.D. Power, the most appealing vehicles have greater owner loyalty, command higher transaction prices and spend less time on dealer lots before purchase.

  • Mopar and SRT Muscle Strong in Denver and Canada

    It was a great weekend on the track for the Chrysler Group: Mopar driver Allen Johnson captured the “Wally” trophy for the Pro Stock class at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals near Denver, while the SRT Motorsports Viper GTS-R sports cars grabbed the pole and two of the three podium steps in the GT class at the American Le Mans Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park near Toronto.

    Johnson is the defending Pro Stock champion for the drag race at Bandimere Speedway, as well as the reigning Pro Stock champ. He dominated the Bandimere track this year, earning the top qualifier spot. The final elimination was an all-Mopar affair that pitted Johnson against V. Gaines, with Johnson reaching the finish line 0.086 seconds ahead of Gaines.

  • New Ford system helps warn police of approaches

    DEARBORN, Michigan (AP) — Police could soon be getting some extra backup -- from their cars.

    Ford Motor Co. has a new surveillance system for police cars that automatically sounds a chime, locks the doors and puts up the windows if it detects someone approaching the car from behind. The system — which Ford is patenting — is the first of its kind.

    "It's like insurance. You hope you never need it. But if you do, it gives the officer a few extra seconds of warning," says Marc Ellison, vice president of operations at Auburn, Calif.-based InterMotive, which helped Ford develop it.

     

  • Next Ford Mustang reportedly launching as 2014 1/2 model

    Anybody want to go in halfsies on one of these?

    MustangsDaily.com reports that Ford will kick off the next generation of its pony car with a run of 1,000 limited edition 2014 ½ model year cars that will double as the 50th Anniversary Edition of the ‘Stang.

    Ford has not yet confirmed where or when the all-new car will be introduced, or if one is even in the works, but it’s the worst kept secret in Detroit that it’s coming next year.