We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is Automotive Research and Development?

By Erin J. Hill
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Automotive research and development involves the research of consumer preferences and tastes in cars and trucks, and the development of new technologies that meet customer needs. This can be accomplished using surveys or focus groups from a particular group of people. Generally, different automobiles are targeted toward a specific audience. Therefore, research must also be focused on a particular population in order for statistics to be accurate.

Before developing a new automobile, automotive research and development teams determine what their clients want to see in a new car. Things like safety features, navigation systems and stereos are a few examples of important aspects to varying groups of people. For instance, a woman with children may be more concerned with safety while a single male may be more focused on performance.

Determining which groups are interesting is what aspects of a vehicle is the purpose of automotive research and development. Market researchers may have customer surveys taken from consumers who have bought a car from a particular manufacturer in the past. Questions may include likes and dislikes about the car, as well as what types of things would have been an improvement.

This information can then be used by car makers, who take into account features that are attractive to many consumers. Scientists work at developing new technologies to make these features doable, while designers work hard to come up with more attractive and stylish vehicles.

Virtually all car companies have automotive research and development departments to allow them to stay ahead of the competition. The more a company can stay ahead of consumer needs and desires, the better their chances at staying in business and making a profit. This department is on the front lines of providing car makers with the information they need while designing their newest models.

There may also be automotive research and development teams at work to gather statistical analysis from consumers and high patrol officers as well as other departments. Information gathered may tell car makers, consumers, and public officials which cars are most damaged in accidents, which are more likely to be stolen, and which are voted most popular for specific groups of people. For instance, many parents may rate specific mini vans or sport utility vehicles as their favorites, along with particular features.

This type of data is useful not only for car manufacturers, but also for police officials and parents buying their children cars. For example, it may be statistically proven that a particular sports car increases the risk of speeding among teen drivers. Parents would then be alerted to choose a more safe and economical vehicle for their children.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.