CRF – FCA’s Research Center
Innovation is highly strategic to FCA’s business in the EMEA region and around the world. One of the Group’s centers of excellence is CRF based in Italy, which operates in close synergy with other centers of technical and methodological excellence located across the Group’s various operating regions.
CRF has three main objectives: to develop innovative power units, vehicle systems, materials, methodologies and processes to improve the competitiveness of FCA products; to represent FCA for national and European collaborative research, taking part in pre-competitive research projects and promoting the development of a network of contacts and partnerships at the international level; and, to support FCA in enhancing the value of its intangible assets.
CRF is headquartered in Orbassano (Turin). Smaller units, dedicated to specific activities and research areas, are located at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, the Pomigliano d’Arco plant near Naples, as well as in Valenzano, Melfi and Trento.
At the European level, CRF participates in the “European Green Vehicle Initiative” and “Factories of the Future” Public Private Partnerships established by the European Commission to focus public and private sector research on areas of major importance for industrial competitiveness and employment. CRF also supports programs launched by EU institutions through industry-led European Technology Platforms such as ERTRAC (road transport), EPOSS (smart systems), EUMAT (materials), MANUFU-TURE (manufacturing) and NANOfutures (nanotechnology).
In Italy, CRF is active in several public and private research consortia and works closely with national and local institutions on the development of research programs focused on sustainable mobility, advanced materials and innovative manufacturing processes. Principal among these is Cluster Trasporti Italia 2020, an association of businesses, universities, research organizations and other entities focused on enhancing Italy’s competitiveness in road and sea transport and mobility systems.
CRF manages FCA’s intellectual property together with its research and development activities, with a view to protecting and promoting the Group’s innovative product and process solutions. CRF considers intangible assets, including intellectual property rights, as vital to the strategic positioning of the Group. At 31 December 2017, CRF had a portfolio of 2,346 patents protecting 496 inventions that guarantee the distinctiveness and competitiveness of FCA products.