Automobiles are four-wheeled motor vehicles used mainly for passenger transportation and propelled by an internal combustion engine powered most often by gasoline (petrol), a liquid petroleum fuel. The name of the vehicle comes from the Greek prefix auto (self) and Latin word mobilis (moving). Automobiles are one of the most universal of modern technologies and is manufactured by one of the largest industries in the world.
The automobile is the most widely owned and operated of all consumer durables, accounting for more than 73 million new units in 2017. They are an important symbol of the American economy and symbolize the freedom of movement of individuals. They have transformed the architecture of cities, altered the design of residential neighborhoods, and reshaped the lives of households in America. No other technological invention has changed the way people live as much as the automobile.
The automotive industry is based in Germany, and it was here that the first petrol-driven car was made. Karl Benz, a German engineer and inventor, created a prototype in 1886 that used an internal combustion engine. Benz’s automobile was called the Benz Patent-Motorwagen.
By the end of the 19 th century automobile production began to spread throughout Europe and the United States. Nikolaus Otto and Gottlieb Daimler both built cars with engines that used gas as their fuel. In 1908, Ford Motor Company produced over 15 million Model Ts, a popular car with an internal combustion engine that used petrol as fuel. The production line, where workers perform one task at a time while car parts pass overhead on conveyor belts, was invented by Henry Ford.
Despite their importance to the economy, automobiles are also a source of problems and inconveniences for many people. The combined emissions from the world’s automobiles cause air pollution, which is a contributing factor to global climate change. Traffic congestion is caused when too many automobiles try to go in the same direction at the same time. Many cities have public transport systems, such as buses, trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered or monorail), trams and subways that can get people where they want to go more quickly and cheaply than an automobile.
Modern automobiles are highly complex technical systems that employ thousands of subsystems with specific design functions. For example, a car’s body has to be designed to provide occupants with a comfortable ride and unobstructed visibility of their surroundings. Cost-efficient manufacturing and aesthetic appeal are additional important design factors.
There are many different types of automobiles, including the family car, sports car, truck and SUV. Each type has its own unique features, which have evolved through research and development to meet the needs of consumers and satisfy safety regulations. Some of these features include: