The automobile, also known as the car or motorcar, is a wheeled vehicle used for passenger transportation. It is typically powered by an internal-combustion engine, fueled most commonly by a gasoline (petrol) mixture. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems employing numerous subsystems with specific design functions. These are largely the result of breakthroughs in engineering technology and new materials such as high-strength plastics and new alloys of steel and nonferrous metals.
Automobiles are a vital means of transportation, and are a huge part of our daily lives. They allow us to travel to work and socialize with friends, as well as to get to places that are otherwise inaccessible. But cars are not without their downsides: air pollution from exhaust and the need to use valuable land for roads are some of the most obvious problems. They also can be a safety hazard, as well as a source of stress for people. In some cases, an automobile accident can even lead to death.
Regardless of the disadvantages, however, most people cannot imagine life without their cars. A vehicle can be a great help during emergencies, such as when your child gets sick or when someone needs to go to the hospital. It is also very helpful in getting to work on time, avoiding traffic jams, and going shopping or visiting relatives.
In addition to making it possible for us to cover large distances, automobiles can also bring about a greater sense of freedom. They allow us to choose where we want to live and where we work, and can give our family a more flexible lifestyle.
It is not always clear who invented the automobile. Earlier accounts usually gave credit to Karl Benz, from Germany, for creating the first automobile around 1885. But he was not the only person working on this kind of vehicle, and many other inventors created designs and prototypes in the same period.
Since the 1920s nearly all vehicles have been mass-produced to meet demand, and marketing plans have often heavily influenced automobile design. Alfred P. Sloan pioneered the idea of different makes produced by a single firm so that buyers could “move up” from one brand to another as their incomes improved, and the larger production volume led to lower costs for each price range. For example, during the 1930s, GM’s Chevrolet, Pontiac and Oldsmobile divisions all shared some of their mechanical parts to reduce costs and make it easier for consumers to afford more expensive models.
The auto industry has become a major economic force, and has contributed to the development of cities and towns all over the world. It has also helped develop new leisure activities, such as amusement parks and hotels. And of course, the automobile has brought many conveniences, including fast food, motels, restaurants, and highways. In some ways, it has also contributed to urban sprawl and the growth of suburbia. But the biggest change that automobiles have made has been in transforming people’s lives.