The Contribution of Automakers:

Improving Vehicle Technologies

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Automakers support moving to a low-carbon future. As corporate citizens, automakers are committed to environmental care. We are also profoundly connected to our consumers, who value quality vehicles, motor vehicle safety, reducing dependence on foreign oil, and protecting the local and global environment. We aim to deliver products with the attributes valued by our customers and in order to realise this commitment, we as automakers must continually invest in innovative technologies.

The automobile industry is a leading sector in research and development (R&D). Major automobile manufacturers typically invest 4 to 5 percent of their gross revenue in R&D each year. Total R&D investment by automakers in 2007 was over $79 billion, or EUR 84 billion.

Automakers are pursuing a diverse range of vehicle technologies for the future. There is no “silver bullet” or one right answer to what the automobiles of the future might look like. In coming decades, the vehicle fleet will likely become much more diverse technologically, with growing proportions of alternative fuel, clean diesel, fuel cell, hybrid and all-electric vehicles. Our commitment is to work to accelerate the introduction of these advanced technologies.

Affordability is a key factor to the success of the technologies implemented by automakers. Consumers make buying decisions on new technologies based on several factors, including the upfront investment and fuel prices. Emission-free journeys are part of a powerful long-term vision, and advanced technology vehicles will help move us closer to that vision. At the same time, we all must recognize that a broad range of technologies, including continued improvements to internal combustion engines, will play a significant role in improved vehicle efficiency for many years to come.