16 Votes

Boost it!

Which automaker has the largest R&D budget? The answer may surprise you.

MidEngine submitted on 10/5/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 11:29:46 AM

23 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: www.autospies.com

Ford Motor USA has the largest R&D budget of all automakers and ranks second overall in the ranking of the world’s top 50 R&D companies.

Daimler Germany is in fifth place and Toyota is in sixth.

Here’s how the remaining automakers rank:

9) General Motors
14) Volkswagen
22) Honda
23) BMW
29) Nissan
35) Renault
41) Peugeot


http://iri.jrc.ec.europa.eu/research/docs/2007/sb_2007.pdf

Which automaker has the largest R&D budget? The answer may surprise you.

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User Comments

w209w114

Mercedes-Benz in second place. I hate to say it but I'm not surprised.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 12:23:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

pushrod27

I never respected Ford, and now my perspective is confirmed. The highest R&D budget in the industry, and that crap on their lots is the best they can come up with??? After all of the disastrous safety recalls Ford has, maybe they're spending all of that cash just to figure out how to build cars that don't kill people.

— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 2:55:44 PM | | Votes: 1   

dwatson

Well, DaimlerChrysler is in 2nd place. So that includes Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Smart too.

Now that they are getting their act together again I can't wait to see where they stand next year. I miss the old Benzes...

— dwatson (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 5:13:18 PM | | Votes: 1   

EnnNorak

I have to wonder what all ends up being treated as R&D expenses for purposes of tax accounting.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 8:32:31 PM | | Votes: 1   

Designer1

MidEngine, be quiet.

Having a company paying more than the other on R&D doesn't mean its better, I hope you're not thinking that?

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 1:38:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

pushrod27

That's because Bosch makes many of the systems and components that are crucial to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, aka the European cars, aka the best cars in the world.

— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 2:57:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

S4cabriofoxone

"Is that why those cars break down the most?"

I read the other day that Suzuki and Mitsubishi are some of the least-reliable brands on the market. The Japanese are not inherently reliable, either.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2007 12:24:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Designer1

So for spends the most but still producing garbage? wow, there is something very wrong in there.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 1:37:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

GLover

Were are the fruit of Ford's Labor? I see it in MB,BMW Lexus and Infiniti...

— GLover (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 2:18:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

GLover

Were are the fruits of Ford's Labor? I see it in MB,BMW Lexus and Infiniti...

— GLover (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 2:19:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

johannas

Some of these comments sound so defensive. Why take it as a blow to a company's manhood? Do folks really think that companies are concerned about topping this list? Come on now.

— johannas (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 2:20:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Porschinator

Would not call it crap on Ford dealership lots. Check to see how many Ford cars have Highest Initial Quality with JD Power. The problem is 'again' perception and management with poor advertising. Also issues with having much better Ford vehicles sold OUTSIDE the USA.

Lastly do you know how many sub-car companies are under Ford? Plenty and needs to be sold soon if $$$ is not made.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 4:08:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

EnnNorak

Porschinator, given your comments and similar comments above I have to wonder how long before the whole company ends up being sold to Tata Motors. My personal experience with Ford's product flaws has led me to the decision never to buy another Ford again.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 8:39:59 PM | | Votes: 1   

Monk

well you can see how DiesOtto, Bluetec, S-class tech, and German engineers creates a GOOD mix = DC

— Monk (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2007 5:00:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

MeanVulcan

If true, this chart only confirms how irrelevant the information is.

First, how can Ford justify its state of chaos having so much R&D available?

Second, how is it possible that Porsche be so successful and not even be mentioned in the ranking?

Attempting to relate R&D to a companie's capability to be successful is, as shown here, meaningless.

It also seems to me that its yet another attempt at trying to rank companies/brands. What a waste of time!!!

Like many people here, I have my preference, and that is Audi all the way. Despite of how many comments get posted pro and against, they will not change my mind. I would have to have a low IQ to fall for childish and biased comments persuading me to like another brand more. GET OVER IT PEOPLE!

— MeanVulcan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/7/2007 9:40:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

S4cabriofoxone

"Second, how is it possible that Porsche be so successful and not even be mentioned in the ranking?"

LOL, because they don't need to test them. They know their cars will drive better than everyone else's.

I agree with your Audi preference... :-D

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 10/8/2007 12:26:54 PM | | Votes: 1   

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