R&D Innovation
Our engineers imagine what is possible and turn their ideas into tangible technologies that are driving industry innovation. In 2010 alone, GM earned nearly 2,000 patents globally. As a result, across all industries, GM placed among the top 25 companies in granted U.S. patents, among the top 10 in foreign (non-Chinese) patent applications filed in China, and among the top 5 in patent applications filed in Germany. These rankings surpass many information technology and consumer electronics companies, which are often viewed as leaders in innovation, reflecting GM's contributions to the rapidly advancing technical capability of today's vehicles. According to the latest Patent Board's Automotive & Transporation Patent Scorecard™, published by The Wall Street Journal in September 2011, we are the number-one innovator in the automotive and transportation industry for the third consecutive quarter.
In 2010, we earned more than 1,000 U.S. patents.
We also received more clean-energy patents in the U.S. last year than any other organization, earning almost 14 percent of all patents awarded in this area, as reported in the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index.
These achievements reflect the accomplishments of our global network of GM engineering centers and research laboratories. Our engineers and scientists — often collaborating with others outside the Company — work to identify and develop technologies that will increase energy efficiency and enhance vehicle safety, while meeting the diverse needs of drivers.
Our ability to introduce the Volt, the world's first extended-range electric vehicle with a gas-powered generator reflects an R&D approach that has changed radically from our past approach. In the past, R&D activity was largely managed out of our Warren, Michigan, R&D headquarters. Today, Warren remains as our headquarters, but this work is now spread throughout several R&D labs around the world and supports an open innovation network of collaborations and strategic alliances with universities, governmental labs, suppliers, companies in other industries and startup enterprises. This approach is proving to be highly effective, with GM Labs having a significant increase in patent filings.
Venturing Beyond GM
In 2010, we formed GM Ventures LLC as our venture capital subsidiary to further expand our reach of innovation....