Around the world the auto industry invested $74 billion in R&D in 2006 alone. In fact, four of the top 10 R&D investors around the world were automakers. The auto industry depends on the ingenuity of more than 90,000 engineers, dedicated to advancing mobile technology.

Typically, the time needed to develop and commercialize a new technology is 12 years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. So tomorrow’s innovations are in today’s research laboratories.

Today's Technology
There is no silver bullet, no one technology that meets all of society’s needs. As automakers pursue technology diversity by developing a portfolio of options for consumers, the government should assist in establishing the infrastructure that will make these options more widely available, as well as supporting R&D of alternative technologies.

Having Choices
Today’s autos are available with innovative and affordable technology that reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions,

Options Include:

• Hybrid-electric engines
• Clean diesel engines
• Variable valve timing
• Cylinder deactivation
• Continuously variable transmissions
• Turbo-charged direct injection
• and more

Automakers are developing other innovations like homogeneous charge compression ignition technology that delivers diesel- like efficiency with lower emissions than conventional gasoline engines.