Automotive Innovation and Productivity Act of 1979

Automotive Innovation and Productivity Act of 1979 - Title I: National Center for Automotive Research - Establishes a governmental corporation to be known as the National Automotive Research Corporation which shall be managed and administered by a National Automotive Innovation and Productivity Board.

Establishes a National Center for Automotive Research, which shall be administered by the Corporation in accordance with policies established by the Board, to conduct research, development, and demonstration programs which will help achieve in the automotive field the goals established by Federal pollution, safety, energy efficiency, and other laws.

Directs the Board to select a Director of the Center who, with the concurrence of the Board, may enter into such contracts and arrangements with government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, profitmaking corporations, and individuals as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

Requires the Board and the Director to jointly prepare a short, medium, and long-range plan of activities for the Center. Directs the first of such plans to be prepared within one year after the selection of the Director, and updated biannually.

Requires the Director to submit annual reports of the Center's activities to the Board, the President, and the Congress.

Authorizes the President to transfer to and vest in the Corporation: (1) any or all automotive research, development, and demonstration programs currently being conducted by other Federal agencies; (2) all functions, duties, and powers of any officer or employee of the United States which relate primarily to programs or activities of automotive research; and (3) so much of the costs and funding as are allocable to the programs which are transferred to the Corporation.

Declares that any of the programs, activities, functions, powers, or duties transferred to the Corporation shall not include any regulatory or rulemaking function, power, duty, or responsibility.

Title II: Special Assistant for Automotive Affairs - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the position of Special Assistant for Automotive Affairs. Makes the Special Assistant responsible for the review and coordination of all aspects of Federal governmental activity which directly or indirectly affect the automotive industry, and for the oversight and implementation of existing Federal laws and programs in the automotive field.

Requires the Special Assistant to report to Congress from time to time on the accomplishments, status, and prospects in the automotive field.

Title III: Manufacturer's Excise Tax on Automobiles - Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to impose a $10 tax on the sale by the manufacturer of each automobile. Directs that amounts equivalent to such taxes shall be appropriated to the Corporation out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.