TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT, AND THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

Congressman Thornton speaks as a former automobile manufacturer ("Handywagons"). Contradictions and inconsistencies in Federal regulation are seen as stifling, rather than promoting and protecting, the automobile industry. A balanced program is recommended, designed to provide substantial regards for innovation, including alternatives to Federally funded projects. Involvement of the private sector by grants, loan guarantees, and tax incentives is suggested. Private companies do not want Federal funds supporting their research programs since any resulting innovations are patented by the government. A change in patent policy is recommended. Direct participation by the government in research and development (R and D) has grown until over half of the nation's R and D effort is conducted under government sponsorship, a situation which raises significant questions about Federal rights and responsibilities in technology development. Many new departments, agencies, and commissions with virtual autonomy are setting administrative guidelines for R and D. Industrial research efforts are also hampered by antitrust laws which prevent cooperation among private firms. The Congressman sponsored a bill to provide a uniform patent policy; another bill would provide patent protection for universities, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. A Domestic Policy Review Committee has been established to study issues and problems related to industrial innovation. As part of the information gathering phase of this study, a series of joint seminars will be held. Lack of a stable overall rate of innovation is responsible for the recent U.S. trade deficit which results in domestic inflation and dollar devaluation. The Congressional Office of Technology Assessment is studying policy options concerning the future of the automobile in the areas of energy, environment, safety, mobility, and cost. There remains the question of the effect of innovation-related regulation on the export of U.S. technology and domestic industrial activity.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Also published in HS-028 918, "Government, Technology, and the Future of the Automobile," New York, 1980 p 5-9. Presented at Harvard Business School Symposium on Government, Technology, and the Automotive Future, Boston, 19-20 October 1978.
  • Corporate Authors:

    McGraw-Hill, Incorporated

    330 West 42nd Street
    New York, NY  United States  10036
  • Authors:
    • Thornton, R
  • Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

  • Pagination: 5 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00392303
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-028 919
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 28 1985 12:00AM