Automotive manufacturers are using information technology to help streamline business processes, and create new products and services for customers. IT spending as a percentage of revenue in the automotive sector grew slightly from 1.8% in 2005 to 2.0% in 2006. Business innovation such as globalization and technology initiatives including wireless e-mail and business intelligence tools are widely deployed and are helping these companies stay competitive. The charts below outline the business, technology, and budgeting strategies of the automotive companies selected in the InformationWeek 500.

		Inside Automotive 2% of Industry's Annual Revenue Devoted to IT 42% of IT Budget Devoted to New Projects 54% of Companies Expecting 2006 IT Spending to Exceed 2005 Business Change 77% Creating New Products/Services for Customers in 2006 85% with Global Supply Chain 62% Deploying Business Intelligence Tools to Raise Productivity