Automobiles are mobile vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine that uses fuel to power a crank shaft and drive wheels. They have a chassis, bodywork, control system and electrical equipment. The engine can be gasoline, diesel, gas turbine or electric and it may have a manual or automatic transmission. Each year five to six million cars are produced worldwide, and the industry employs more than 4.25 million people.
Cars have become one of the world’s largest industries and an indispensable part of modern life. They have fueled economic growth and helped transform society. They have allowed people to live and work in places distant from their homes, changed the way families function, and brought a new level of convenience to travel. Cars have also made it possible to move large quantities of goods and to make international travel a practical alternative to air transportation.
The automobile began as a curiosity in the late 1600s and by the end of the 19th century had come to be recognized as a significant force for change. The invention of the gasoline-powered engine enabled the vehicle to be produced in large numbers and to reach a wide range of consumers at a reasonable price. It replaced horse-drawn carriages and transformed the lives of individuals. It spawned a variety of related businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and motels. It opened up the countryside to people living in cities and led to suburban development. It ended rural isolation and allowed for easier access to education, health care and employment. It also caused the growth of new social and recreational activities such as golf, tennis and skiing.
By the 1920s the automobile was an integral part of a consumer-oriented society and provided one out of every six industrial jobs in the United States. It also became the largest user of steel, petroleum and other commodities. The automobile revolutionized the manufacturing process by introducing methods such as the assembly line that lowered production costs. This made the Model T affordable to middle-class households.
After World War I (1914-18) the design of the automobile improved and more sophisticated features were added such as heating, electricity, and power steering. In the 1930s and 1940s, American companies developed new designs such as steel bodies and air conditioning. The automobile remained the dominant mode of transport in the United States through most of the 20th century until it was challenged by environmental, safety and energy concerns, by increasing competition from European cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle and BMW 3 series; by rising gasoline prices; and by the introduction of smaller, fuel-efficient Japanese vehicles such as the Honda Civic and Nissan Skyline.
As the automobile industry has grown it has influenced the way we live, work, play and dress. It has shaped our culture and created an unprecedented global economy. The automobile has changed the way we shop, socialize and communicate. In many countries today it is inconceivable to live without a car.