Automakers Show Innovations in Nation's Capital

Auto Alliance Debuts Interactive Auto Show Exhibit and Website

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2010; The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is launching the Auto Innovation (www.AutoInnovation.com) campaign during the Washington, D.C. Auto Show to take drivers inside the laboratories, onto the proving grounds and behind the scenes to see the work of scientists, engineers and other technical staff, who spend years working to make vehicles safer, cleaner and more enjoyable.

"For the first time we're taking you behind-the-scenes to see how innovation happens," said President and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Dave McCurdy. "With 3,000 parts working in harmony, it starts with an idea, followed by years of research, lab testing, road testing and much more."

Automakers rank at the top of lists on industry investments in research and development (R&D), yet the process to achieve automotive innovation remains veiled. One reason is fierce marketplace competition. Company R&D is highly valuable intellectual property, so engineers may work under top-secret security because the first company to market with a technology can gain market share.

"The safety, environmental, and technological advances made by the auto industry not only drive innovation in vehicles, but have dozens of other applications in every sector of the marketplace and American lives," said McCurdy. "Through the Web site and exhibit, we hope we can offer consumers some insight into the amazing technology that is right in their driveways."

Through an interactive exhibit at the DC Auto Show and the program's Web site, www.AutoInnovation.com, the Auto Alliance presents visitors with today's advanced vehicle technologies, tomorrow's high-tech features, R&D facts, figures, and highlights the industry's efforts to develop, safe, environmentally friendly, and innovative vehicle technologies.

The Auto Innovation Web site features novel technologies and new ways of thinking developed by the world's leading automotive manufacturers. Some of these technologies include enhanced crash avoidance by replicating the radar systems of locusts and green car designs which utilize natural materials such as soy byproducts, bamboo and coconut.

Collaboration among automakers, diverse suppliers from many industries, universities and federal laboratories is crucial to advancements. To highlight the unique players in vehicle development, AutoInnovation.com will include a monthly feature focused on a key partner involved in production, beginning with the plastics industry.

The campaign also will highlight people on the street interviews filmed from the Alliance's Auto Innovation exhibit at the Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and New York auto shows. Featuring two interactive touch screens, the Auto Alliance booth at the shows will ask visitors, "What do you think of the auto industry's use of the latest technologies?" Responses can be viewed at www.AutoInnovation.com and also on the Auto Alliance's YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/automobilealliance.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 11 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information, visit the Alliance Web site at www.autoalliance.org.