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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Chevrolet Spark Most Efficient U.S. Retail Electric Vehicle
The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is the industry benchmark in retail electric vehicle efficiency with a combined city/highway EPA estimated range of 82 miles when fully charged and an EPA-estimated combined city/highway 119 MPGe fuel economy equivalent.
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Earth Day, Every Day
Everyone talks about going green, but Chrysler Group has been green for years. Organic fluids and recycled Levis are just a drop in the bucket of environmentally friendly finds at Chrysler.
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General Motors Foundation gives Red Cross $100k to aid in West, Texas relief efforts
Relief efforts for West, Texas, from the Southeastern Michigan region keeps pouring in.
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Metro Detroit company partners with Ford to launch 'Food Tripping' app
A new mobile app will let organic- and health-food nuts scour where to buy nourishment that fits their diet regimen. It also lists microbreweries.
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Chrysler provides funding for student robotics teams
An Assumption College Catholic High School robotics team headed to a championship competition in the United States is getting a $5,000 helping hand from Chrysler.