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 Looking Into Improving Tire Technology
General Motors is partnering with researchers at the new National Tire Research Center in Virginia to improve fuel economy through the development of new tire technology, according to autoblog.com and Automotive News.
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Chrysler to Boost Workforce - Analyst Blog
Chrysler Group LLC, which is controlled by Fiat S.p.A ( FIATY ), said last week that it will be increasing its workforce by 1,250 workers in three of its plants located in Michigan. The decision comes in light of the rising demand for redesigned trucks. The company also plans to invest $240 million in the plants to boost the production of Ram pickups.
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General Motors Places Risky Bet on New Impala
In its heyday, the Chevrolet Impala inspired a song by the Beach Boys and held a starring roll in the gritty, 1970s detective show “Baretta.” But in recent years, the big sedan has become almost forgettable, drawing mostly rental-car company and government agency buyers.
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Chrysler Revs Up Special Editions
Pruitt Chamness was visiting a Chrysler dealer when the 27-year-old Rhode Islander spotted an unusual Jeep Grand Cherokee with 20-inch black rims, a blacked-out grille and a steel-gray paint job.
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Car Show Is Charged Up
General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC are hoping to put a charge into the City of Angels.