Safety enhancements. Brown sees these as the top consumer priority, given the growing concerns about "driver distraction." They include such developments as 360-degree collision avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control to maintain safe distances between vehicles, and adaptive restraint technologies that trigger optimum airbag deployment in crashes.

Energy/environment. Among innovations in its Energen program is a belt-driven, stop-start generator that improves fuel economy by 5%. Powerful integrated motor-generators will also allow smaller engines, while maintaining performance, improving fuel economy, and reducing emissions.

X-By-Wire. This family of braking, steering, throttle, and suspension systems relies on a network of wires, sensors, controllers, motors, and actuators to replace the traditional mechanical systems. A side development for these X-By-Wire systems, which will offer increased performance and greater design flexibility, is a shift to a 42V architecture.

Comfort and Connectivity. These run the gamut from a one-touch adjustable steering column and multi-zone climate control to voice recognition systems, "Infotainment PC," and navigation assistance.