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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Chrysler Builds Street Cred With Challenger SRT8
Chrysler created some performance buzz at the Chicago Auto Show today with updates of the Dodge Challenger SRT8, Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee.
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GM Confirms 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Convertible Debut
General Motors Co. Thursday confirmed that the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible will make its world debut March 5 at the Geneva Motor Show.
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Ford's Smartphone App To Feature Charging Station Finder
Ford Motor Co. said Thursday its MyFord Mobile smartphone app will soon feature a charging station finder for electric vehicles and will be compatible with the new C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids.
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Flying Ford Fiesta STs to Compete In Global RallyCross
Ford will show a racing version of its Fiesta ST at the Chicago auto show, which opens to the public on Saturday.
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GM's Cruze to Challenge German Diesels in U.S. Market
General Motors Co. is resurrecting the diesel passenger car in the United States, as it becomes the first U.S. automaker to take on German automakers offering diesel cars here.