Skip to main content

R&D on autonomous, connected and electric vehicles creates growth opportunities, says research

As the automotive industry faces narrowing margins, the need to look to other revenue streams and keep the customer committed to the brand for their next purchase is paramount, says Frost & Sullivan. Automotive manufacturers are therefore focusing on research and development (R&D) on autonomous, connected, and electrification (ACE) technologies to build fully connected and completely autonomous vehicles. To thrive in this highly competitive, evolving market, manufacturers need to look beyond seeing themselv
September 18, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
As the automotive industry faces narrowing margins, the need to look to other revenue streams and keep the customer committed to the brand for their next purchase is paramount, says 2097 Frost & Sullivan. Automotive manufacturers are therefore focusing on research and development (R&D) on autonomous, connected, and electrification (ACE) technologies to build fully connected and completely autonomous vehicles. To thrive in this highly competitive, evolving market, manufacturers need to look beyond seeing themselves as product suppliers and focus on becoming providers of mobility services. This will open the door for lucrative, new digital revenue streams.


Frost & Sullivan’s research, Global Key Automakers’ Autonomous, Connected, and Electrification Strategies, Forecast to 2025, finds that between 2015 and 2025, 10 key automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to spend about US$345 billion on ACE R&D. The study provides a strategic overview of the R&D activities of key OEMs, including key technology development, investment plans, expenditure trends, current expertise, and impact on business performance. Major players such as Volkswagen (VW), Toyota, BMW, General Motors, Ford, Mercedes (Daimler), Nissan-Renault and Tesla, and their ACE technology strategies, are provided.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Is DSRC progressive enough for future connected mobility?
    February 3, 2012
    Dedicated Short Range Communications technology, says Cisco's Paul Brubaker, is not by itself progressive enough to sustain long-term innovation in the connected mobility environment - and yet IPv6 and other developments remain largely ignored by policy-makers
  • Multi-billion dollar market revealed for electric motorcycles
    August 15, 2014
    The new report by IDTechEx, Electric Motorcycles and Three Wheel Electric Vehicles 2015-2025 reveals a market value of over US$12 billion for electric motorcycles including e-scooters and maxi scooters in 2025 - a market nearly five times greater than that for e-bikes with pedals. The big stories this year are car-like MicroEVs, the first category to be aimed primarily at emerging nations, and electric motorcycles, including e-maxi scooters and three wheel motorcycles. Electric motor cycles and thre
  • Panasonic in Colorado: Rocky mountain way
    December 3, 2018
    Panasonic is at the heart of a C-V2X project which began last year in Colorado. The company’s smart mobility boss Chris Armstrong tells Adam Hill how it is working out Colorado needs traffic and transport solutions – and fast. The US state’s population has grown 50% in the last 20 years and another 50% hike is predicted in the next 20. It also spends more than $13 billion in roadway crash costs each year. In 2015, 546 people died in traffic-related crashes, and more than 3,000 were seriously injured.
  • New chairman and fresh thinking at Ertico
    October 6, 2015
    Cees de Wijs, who was elected Chairman of Ertico ITS Europe in June, puts the Partnership and this ITS World Congress in context.