June 07, 2016

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: media@americanautocouncil.org

June 7, 2016

 

 

 

AAPC Releases 2016 Research and Development Report on U.S. Auto Industry 

 

FCA, Ford and General Motors R&D Investments Larger Than Major U.S. Companies, NASA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of its annual “State of the U.S. Automotive Industry 2016” economic contribution report, the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) today released its 2016 Research and Development Report. The new report highlights the fact that the American auto industry, often thought of as separate from the traditional technology sector, is in fact a critical force in the industry — investing more in research and development (R&D) than some of the nation’s top tech companies. Together, FCA, Ford, and General Motors invest more than some government organizations, including NASA.

 

The report found that the auto industry ranks second in global R&D spending and invested more than $20 billion in U.S. R&D last year. Today, automakers and their suppliers employ nearly 1 out of every 10 private sector scientists and engineers in America.

 

“Our members – FCA, Ford and General Motors – rank among the world’s top investors in research and development. We are proud of the critical contributions their engineers and scientists have made to American innovation and economic progress,” said Governor Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council and the former Governor of Missouri.  “Many Americans probably do not realize that each of these three companies have invested more in R&D than Facebook, HP, Dow or ExxonMobil. Investment in R&D is a force multiplier, and this news demonstrates just one more way the automotive industry is having profound impacts on the U.S. economy and creating American jobs. FCA, Ford and General Motors investments in new technologies and innovations will continue to drive new sales, production and jobs across the nation, encouraging international competitors to do the same.”

 

 

Additional key findings in the report

  • FCA, Ford and General Motors alone are leading the global race to develop alternative fuel vehicles, advanced materials and autonomous vehicles. Over the past five years, these three companies have collectively applied for more than 15,000 U.S. patents.

 

  •  A new car or truck today contains about 60 microprocessors, while a new smartphone only contains one.  Each vehicle’s microprocessor manages 100 or more sensors, providing automobiles with state of the art technologies.

 

  • Automakers operate the world’s largest supply chains – a car or truck contains between 8,000 and 12,000 parts sourced from manufacturers across the country and around the world. Designing, manufacturing and integrating these complex parts leads automakers and suppliers to employ nearly 1 in 10 U.S. private sector scientists and engineers.

 

  •   Auto R&D sparks a job-creating cycle: FCA, Ford and General Motors R&D drives U.S. sales, which drives greater U.S. production, which drives new hiring and investment in American factories and assembly plants.

 

For more information on findings and to view the R&D Report,click here.

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The American Automotive Policy Council, Inc. (AAPC) is a Washington, D.C. association that represents the common public policy interests of its member companies FCA US, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company.