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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GM To Continue Investing $8 Billion A Year In Product Development
General Motors will continue investing $8 billion in annual product development, according to the automaker’s President of North America Mark Reuss.
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Hybrids, Electric Cars Lead Charge In January Sales For Ford
Ford Motor Co.'s electrified vehicles will help boost its January auto sales?, an early indicator of what could be a record-setting year for the Dearborn automaker's growing hybrid and electric lineup.
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Role Reversal: Ford Gives $$$ To Feds
They never took a dime of President Obama's costly and massive auto bailout, but Uncle Sam can't say the same about tapping the generosity of Ford Motor Company.
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Chrysler Now A Rising Star Among Automakers
The No. 3 U.S. automaker made $1.7 billion last year thanks to big gains for its much-improved cars and trucks, and it's expecting profits to reach $2.2 billion this year.
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Chrysler's Earnings Soar, Raising Fiat's With Them
Chrysler, the smallest of the American automakers, on Wednesday reported a big increase in 2012 earnings that helped its Italian parent company, Fiat, become profitable for the year as well.