Auto Research

Extracted Attributes

• Parent Organization

  Hearst Communications

• Key Technology Areas

  Autonomous Driving, Physical AI, Battery Materials, VIN Decoding, Residual Value Projection

• Primary Data Provider

  National Auto Research (Black Book)

• US R&D Investment (2018)

  $23 billion (approximately $1,333 per car sold)

• Global Annual R&D Investment

  $130 billion (Automotive industry total)

• Testing Standard (Durability)

  84,000 open-and-close cycles for car doors to simulate 10 years of use

Timeline

• General Motors Research & Development is founded by Charles Kettering as the world's first automotive research organization. (Source: General Motors Web Search)

  1920-01-01

• National Auto Research begins publishing the Black Book family of vehicle appraisal guides. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1955-01-01

• GM R&D develops a 450-volt silver-zinc battery pack for the Electrovair II, pioneering automotive electrification research. (Source: General Motors Web Search)

  1966-01-01

• IMR Inc. is established to provide automotive aftermarket research and consumer behavior tracking. (Source: IMR Inc Web Search)

  1975-01-01

• US automakers and suppliers reach an annual R&D investment of approximately $23 billion. (Source: American Automotive Policy Council)

  2018-12-31

• Jensen Huang discusses the impact of AI Agents and Physical AI on Auto Research and productivity gains during the All-In Podcast. (Source: Document b3924e92-7a2e-4033-92dc-8fdf1a6f3dce)

  2026-03-01

Black Book (National Auto Research)

The Black Book family of vehicle appraisal guides in the United States, providing vehicle pricing data, is published by National Auto Research, a division of Hearst Communications. New and used car dealers, lenders, manufacturers, fleet remarketers, and government agencies have used Black Book since 1955. Black Book provides values for both new and used vehicles, including cars, light trucks, and collectible vehicles produced since 1946, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, and heavy duty commercial trucks and trailers. Other products include vehicle identification number (VIN) decoding software, projected residual values, inventory management tools, and lead generation applications. Black Book data is published daily in multiple electronic formats including data feeds, internet-based applications, handheld PDAs, Web-enabled cell phones, Pocket PCs, BlackBerry and Palm devices, smart phones, Micro Browsers, online trade appraisal services, and in a variety of other custom products. Printed versions are also available.

Web Search Results

• Research & Development | American Automotive Policy Council

  Home Ford GM Stellantis # Research & Development ## 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. ## American Automakers’ Latest Report Demonstrates Autos Critical Role in Driving U.S. Economic Growth FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

• Automotive Aftermarket Market Research and Analysis | IMR

  IMR Inc and Automotive Research Logos Automotive Aftermarket Research · Since 1975 # Your first call for Automotive Research. IMR works with retailers, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders who want a research partner that understands the aftermarket, knows the players, tracks the shifts, and tells you what the data means for your business. Research Products ## Make smarter, data-driven decisions IMR's syndicated studies run continuously so when your team needs answers about consumer behavior, shop purchasing, or brand performance, the data is already there. ### Consumer Behavior (CCAMS) Track how consumers approach vehicle maintenance with DIY vs. DIFM splits, purchase frequency, part category depth, and demographic breakdowns. Updated quarterly. ### Repair Shop Purchasing [...] ### Repair Shop Purchasing Parts brand preferences, supplier loyalty, ordering behavior, and channel share across 500 repair shops per month. ### Custom Research Brand tracking, category studies, and more designed around your specific question, fielded to the right audience in the aftermarket. IMR Insights ## Recent findings from the field Repair Shop Online Ordering March 2026 · Repair Shops ### Repair Shop Online Ordering Why auto repair shops turn to public websites for parts — and why many still don't. Read now → March 2026 · Repair Shops ### Repair Shop Online Ordering Why auto repair shops turn to public websites for parts — and why many still don't. 2026 Repair Shop Challenges February 2026 · Repair Shops ### 2026 Repair Shop Challenges [...] ### 2026 Repair Shop Challenges Economic uncertainty, vehicle complexity, and shifting customer behavior — what 500 shops told us. Parts Ordering Times November 2025 · Repair Shops ### How and Why Shops Choose Their Parts-Ordering Times Planned efficiency vs. operational adaptability — the patterns behind when shops order. Get Started ## See what IMR data can answer for your team. Please fill out the contact form and include a description of what you are interested in or how IMR can be of assistance, and an IMR representative will respond accordingly. ### Contact Us Send us a message. #### Login IMR Automotive Market Research Logo © 2026 EndeavorB2B. All Rights Reserved.

• Automotive Research & Development (R&D) - AFRY

  Automotive R&D AFRY provides clarity and guidance, helping OEMs prioritise and monitor technology and regulation developments. Our expertise in EV, BEV, PHEV, eFuels, hydrogen, and more, caters to a diverse range of OEMs, from brand-driven vehicle integrators to tech-driven giants, ensuring tailored solutions for every need. ### AFRY’s expertise in automotive R&D AFRY is your end-to-end partner throughout the development and production cycles. Our support spans the entire project life cycle – from idea, design, development, testing, manufacturing, and product release. Additionally, we specialise in addressing challenges related to existing products. [...] ## Main navigation Close up of a white car in dark tunnel ## Breadcrumb # Automotive Research & Development (R&D) ## Leading solutions within all vehicle development areas AFRY's automotive R&D offering is where innovation meets efficiency in the fast-paced world of automotive engineering and design. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and future mobility, we offer a comprehensive suite of services to help you navigate the challenges of the automotive industry. Automotive R&D at AFRY ### Challenges in the automotive industry In an era marked by electric vehicles, alternative powertrains, and the pursuit of sustainable solutions, the automotive sector is facing a "perfect storm of uncertainties." The challenges affect these areas: Automotive R&D [...] Our global reach extends to clients worldwide, providing on-site assistance and complete turnkey solutions. With automotive offices strategically located in Sweden, Brazil, the UK, Italy, Poland, China, and India, we ensure seamless collaboration and expert problem-solving. #### Adding value to clients With a global client base of over 40 automotive OEMs, we tailor bespoke solutions to meet specific needs. AFRY's unique position in the emerging future mobility ecosystem allows us to provide valuable advice and understanding. Our focus remains on client needs, emphasising our expertise and unique selling points to ensure relevance in every interaction. Automotive R&D #### Comprehensive project support and business innovation

• Auto Industry R&D - Alliance For Automotive Innovation

  Durability Testing An auto needs to withstand years of tough duty, so researchers keep studying how to extend a vehicle’s life, both inside and out. Even seats are tested for durability. Using robots, automakers research how people of all shapes and sizes affect the upholstery, seat cushions and seat structures over the life of the vehicle. High performance extends to car doors too. It takes 84,000 open-and-close cycles to simulate 10 years of customer use of a car door. This testing happens in a wide range of temperatures, just like real life. Proving Grounds [...] Real World Testing To test for durability, an automaker can easily rack up 2 million miles of on-road and track testing on a single model of vehicle. That equates to 80 trips around the world. It’s a global industry and testing is worldwide, too. A model may be driven in extreme conditions like the jungles of Brazil and the mountains of New Zealand. Research in the Southern Hemisphere can extend the seasons for testing and speed up development. Crash Testing [...] Weather Testing Before any auto technology goes on sale, it passes through a series of advanced test facilities operated by thousands of auto engineers and scientists. Automakers have built high-tech test chambers so engineers can evaluate products in different environments, ranging from -40 degrees to 130 degrees. A model may spend 200 hours in a wind tunnel as researchers and stylists work to lower wind resistance and improve mileage. Aerodynamic drag accounts for about 20 percent of the energy a vehicle needs just to move through normal air resistance. Durability Testing

• Research And Development - General Motors

  # GM Research & Development GM’s Research & Development team’s mission is to drive innovation for the benefit of its customers through the invention and commercialization of high-impact technologies. ### Originally founded in 1920 by Charles “Boss” Kettering, GM’s Research & Development team represented the world’s first automotive research organization, helping to accelerate GM’s evolution into a leading transportation technology company. ## Key Research Focus Areas Led by GM’s Chief Technology Officer, the R&D organization enables and accelerates the development and commercialization of advanced technology throughout GM’s portfolio of products and connected service offerings. [...] And while we have 100 years of incredible history behind us, GM R&D remains focused on preparing for the next century of innovation. We clearly see the path toward an all-electric future for our company and for the industry. Our team’s pioneering work developing a 450-volt silver-zinc battery pack for the 1966 Electrovair II helped pave the way for the Chevrolet Volt, the Chevrolet Bolt EV and soon, the GMC HUMMER EV pickup and SUV, the Cadillac LYRIQ, and the Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup truck. Through electrification, we see a cleaner, more sustainable planet. We see the advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning leading us to self-driving vehicles. And we see a safer world for all, powered by our ability to deploy our innovations at scale. DISCLAIMERS: [...] While the requirements and expectations of future mobility evolve, GM’s R&D team continues to play a significant role in helping to make our vision a reality of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion. Each year, GM researchers publish a variety of papers, each representing a new potential technological breakthrough or innovation spanning across key focus areas: ## Key Research Focus Area 1: Battery Materials and Systems GM Research and Development work relating to Materials and Methods, Battery Cell and Architecture Designs, and Process and Quality. ### GM HERITAGE INITIATIVES ## Preserving the GM Heritage 1954 Firebird ### Photo and Video Archival