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.

 

 

 

  • Win for Mopar Express Lane Driver Johnson at Inaugural NHRA New England Nationals

    June 23, 2013 , Epping, N.H. -
    Allen Johnson drove the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger to the winner’s circle and a third national title this season after two key holeshot wins in the eliminations rounds of the Inaugural Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals giving him sole possession of second place in the Pro Stock championship points standings.

    In order to advance to his fifth final round eliminations appearance of the year, Johnson defeated points leader Mike Edwards in the semifinals on a holeshot with a 0.0270-second reaction time. The defending Pro Stock World Champion posted another outstanding 0.025 second reaction time against Shane Gray to earn another exciting hotshot win and his 19th career “Wally” with an elapsed time of 6.642 seconds (205.38 mph) to his opponent’s 6.633 second (210.34 mph) pass. 

  • 'Under the Pentastar' Wraps the Week

    "Under the Pentastar” is a weekly recap of some of the major stories at Chrysler Group LLC. This week's edition includes Chrysler Group and the NHTSA agreeing to resolve the recall request, price and details for the 2014 Fiat 500L are official, the Magneti Marelli plant opens in Pulaski, Tennessee, and the SRT brand releases its first advertisement campaign.

  • GM: '14 Corvette can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds

    General Motors Co. said Thursday that its all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds when equipped with the optional Z51 Performance Package.

    The seventh-generation sports car with the performance package also can brake from 60 mph to a stop in 107 feet and the ’Vette can cover a quarter-mile in 12 seconds, reaching 119 mph.

     

     

  • Ford Tests High-Tech 'Brake Light' That Warns Other Drivers Even From Afar

    Ford Motor Company participated in a special test of a high-tech early warning “brake light” that can warn drivers following behind even if they are around a bend or behind other traffic.

    The technology is one of 20 potential future systems Ford tested as part of Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany (simTD), a four-year joint industry research project.