Automobiles are vehicles that run on roads and seat one to eight people. Most automobiles have four wheels and an internal combustion engine or electric motor. They are a major mode of transport and a vital part of the global economy. There are about a billion cars on the road today.
The automobile revolutionized transportation in the United States. It gave people more personal freedom and access to jobs and services. The automobile also changed the way cities were developed. It helped create suburbs by allowing people to live farther away from city centers than they previously could. In addition, the automobile prompted the development of better roads and transportation. Many industries and new jobs emerged to supply the automobile with fuel, oil, rubber, and then plastics. Services like gas stations and convenience stores also grew.
In the United States, the invention of the automobile spurred changes in industry and technology as well as everyday life. For example, automobile manufacturing became one of the first industries to use the assembly line. It also boosted the economy and created jobs in other industries, such as mining, farming, and oil refining. In addition, the automobile brought new types of businesses to towns and cities, such as auto parts shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Before World War II, automobile production in Japan was limited. Then Kiichiro Toyoda, owner of the Toyoda Loom Works, began to turn the company into a car manufacturer. Other companies, such as Nissan, Toyota, Suzuki, and Mazda, started as non-automobile companies before making the switch.
Automobiles can be powered by gas, electricity, steam, or another energy source. They have brakes that stop them quickly in emergencies and prevent them from rolling when parked. Some have regenerative brakes, which convert the energy of their movement into electricity. These systems are much more efficient than traditional hydraulic brakes.
During the early days of the automobile, many people used them to protest for social or political causes. In 1916, two women, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke, drove around the country advocating for women’s right to vote. They decorated their automobile with “votes for women” banners and spoke at rallies along the way.
The most common type of automobile is a passenger car. It has seats for its passengers and can carry cargo, as well. The seats are usually cloth or leather. Some have air conditioning and other amenities. Other types of automobiles include commercial (buses, vans, trucks), special (fire, sanitary, mobile crane, autoclave, or refrigerator), and sports.
An automobile requires a source of energy to make it move. This energy might be chemical in gasoline or electrical energy in batteries. The speed at which the wheels are turned and how far they travel is called its power or torque. Depending on the type of automobile, it might have an automatic transmission or a manual transmission. Cars are built for different purposes, including commuting, hauling, and off-road driving. Those built for off-road driving have four-wheel drive and high cross-country abilities.