An Industry Task Force guided the development of APC. This included identifying research priorities, grouped under three strategic themes. All research to be supported must fall under at least one of the 10 priority areas listed below.

Improving the Automobile's Environmental Performance and Impact

Lighter Weight and/or Sustainable Materials
Advanced Powertrain
Energy Storage
Application of Alternative Fuels

The Cognitive Car

Vehicular Software
Electronics and Mechatronics for Safety and Performance Enhancement
Wireline and Wireless Communications for Vehicular Application

Next Generation Manufacturing

Manufacturing Processes for Mass Reduction
Manufacturing Processes for Cost Reduction and Quality Improvement
Improving Manufacturing Flexibility and Efficiency

Note: Social Sciences and Humanities within the Research Areas

The importance of the social sciences and humanities within the research priorities is well recognized. There is significant social science research that correlates with the 10 research priority areas, including issues of: safety, cognition and behaviour; supply chain management; and social science aspects of cost reduction; e.g., organizational behaviour, plant performance and productivity, worker interaction and empowerment.