Technology

The Research and Development screen is split into two categories: Processes, and Technologies.

Technologies include research tasks to unlock new features to add to your vehicle designs.

Technology color coding:
 * Green - researched
 * White - not researched
 * Red - per-requisite missing (mouse over for details)

Additionally, dollar sign icons will be overlayed on each technology: You are penalized for not including universal features in your vehicle designs.
 * Number of dollar signs shows usage in each price bracket (budget, mid-range, expensive, luxury)
 * Color of dollar signs shows usage of feature: (universal, common, rare, very rare)

Processes are broadly split into a few categories:
 * Specialization: Allows new "Fit" Slots to be placed in your assembly lines. Many technologies have per-requisite specializations before they can be unlocked and used.
 * Manufacture and Advanced production: Allows placing "Make" Slots in your factory. These allow local production of parts to lower your production costs.
 * Efficiency: Improves conveyor speed, import speed, unlock smart junctions (flow control based on vehicle design), power plant production, and extra robots to improve slot speed.
 * Administration: Unlock or improve administrative slots (research, body design, marketing, sales), QA Specialization is included here.

Notes:

Manufacturing unlocks will open up access to machines that can manufacture certain components used in the production process. These machines cost a lot compared to buying parts into the factory pre-built, but the raw material required to build each part is usually a fraction of the price. Depending on how fast you can produce a finished car, these machines will pay for themselves within a very short time.