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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Auto Companies Gear Up Use of Social Media
More than three-quarters of a million people are expected to walk through the turnstiles at this year's North American International Auto Show to see the cars of the future.
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GM, Ford To Hire 3K Workers, Including A 'Significant Number' In Metro Detroit
Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co., which shed white-collar workers during the industry downturn, plan to hire more than 3,000 salaried workers this year.
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Ford To Add 2,200 U.S. Salaried Jobs This Year
Ford is adding 2,200 U.S. salaried jobs this year -- the most white-collar hiring the automaker has done in more than 10 years.
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Chrysler CEO Delivers First 2013 SRT Viper At Detroit Plant
Chrysler delivered the first 2013 SRT Viper to a customer today at its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.
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Car Functions Now Controlled By Waving A Hand
Drivers have depended on gestures to maneuver through traffic since the dawn of the automobile age, from a friendly wave to a shaking fist -- or worse.