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.
-
Car Makers Say No Looking Back
The U.S. auto industry is poised to report November sales cruised to another four-year high, a sign that the domestic market has returned to health even while Europe and Asia sales falter.
-
GM Pickups To Have Softer Styling
General Motors Co. plans to drive the styling of its top-selling pickup trucks away from the rough and rugged looks of the past decade when it launches redesigned models next year, the head of the auto maker's North American operations said on Wednesday.
-
Chrysler Betting Big On Dodge Dart
Chrysler Group LLC expects December to be its best sales month to date for its new Dodge Dart compact car, according to a senior executive.
-
Chrysler Aims to Draw More Buyers To Fiat 500 With Electric And Larger Versions of Mini-Car
The Fiat 500 is getting bigger and going electric.
-
Chevy Unveils MyLink System For 2014 Models
Technology is stealing most of the spotlight in advance of the Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the public Friday.