€68bn was spent on R&D costs in 2005, of which 31% were spent by the OEMs, 8% by engineering services and 61% by suppliers.
Major drivers are the system integration costs associated with assistant system such as electronic stability (ESP), electronic power steering (EPS), adaptive power steering, mechanico-electronic braking, adaptive cruise control, and predictive safety systems.
BMW seem to be topping the list in research and innovation. Looking at the average spending over the last five years BMW are spending almost €1800 per vehicle compared to Ford at €950, VW with €830, GM spending €750, and Toyota getting by on €740,