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.
-
GM's New Workforce: Younger and Tech-Savvy
The new generation of automotive manufacturing workers at a General Motors Co. subsidiary here is focused on career and environment, and they want to work with cutting-edge technology.
-
GM Boosts its Stake in Electric Bus Maker
GM Ventures, the venture capital arm of General Motors Co. created in 2010, has invested for the second time in Proterra Inc., a Greenville, S.C.-based company that makes a battery-electric, fast-charge bus.
-
GE, Ford Collaborate on Alternative Fuel Vehicle Adoption and Research
GE today announced a collaboration with Ford Motor Co. in which the company will purchase 2,000 new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids for its fleet. As part of the collaboration, Ford will jointly market GE's alternative fuel infrastructure solutions to commercial customers and provide new alternative fuel vehicles for use at GE's Vehicle Innovation Center.
-
Ford's new engine is so small it fits in carry-on luggage
Spirit Airlines would have a field day with this.
Ford’s new 3-cylinder engine is so small it can fit into a piece of carry-on luggage.
-
Hot Hatches Back In The Spotlight
When it comes to hot hatches — performance variations of hatchback vehicles — the Volkswagen Golf GTI was the car that started it all.