Study of the Economic Recovery Act of 1981 and Automotive Research and Development. Final Report.

摘要

This study examines the provisions of the Economic Recovery Act of 1981, i.e., capital investment tax credits, R and D expense tax credits, and leasing provisions, that are of interest to the auto industry and evaluates the impact of these provisions on basic research in that industry. The study concludes that, in view of the financial difficulties faced by the industry, R and D will not be high on the list of allocations of investment funds. The industry needs massive amounts of capital to retool its factories to produce cars competitive with foreign cars in price and performance and will concentrate on immediate product improvement at reduced costs. Consequently, in view of the fact that basic R and D has the lowest priority because of its long term nature, and because the industry does not have the ability to finance such activity, alternatives to provide the industry with financial assistance in carrying out basic research need to be addressed. (ERA citation 08:005370)