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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'Detroit Three' Report November Sales Growth
Auto makers reported higher U.S. vehicle sales for November, led by Toyota Motor Corp.’s 17% year-over-year increase.
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Big Gains In November Auto Sales
U.S. consumers took advantage of cheap financing to ditch aging cars in November, pushing U.S. auto sales for the month to the strongest pace in more than four years.
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NHTSA: Anti-Rollover Technology Saving Hundreds of Lives Annually
Electronic stability control — an anti-rollover technology mandated on all passenger vehicles — has saved 2,200 lives over a three-year-period, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.
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Mainstream Ford Fusion Cops 'Green Car' Award
Ford Motor Co.'s new Fusion midsize scored yet another victory on Thursday, this time at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where it won "Green Car of the Year" honors.
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Chrysler To Buy Auto Museum Collection
Chrysler Group LLC is purchasing the holdings of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum to protect the company's patrimony, but says the classic car collection will no longer be open to the public — except for special occasions.