A motor vehicle designed for passenger transportation and propelled by an internal combustion engine fueled with gasoline (or other fuel). Modern automobiles are complex technical systems, combining thousands of subsystems that work together to power, control and make comfortable for passengers. An automobile’s main components include the engine, transmission, chassis and bodywork.
Automobiles were first conceived and developed in Europe in the late 1800s, but they became dominant in the United States in the 1920s because of innovations such as the assembly line, Henry Ford’s mass-production techniques and cheap raw materials that made it cheaper to produce cars than in Europe. The automobile revolutionized industry, travel and everyday life in the United States and other countries. It also created a need for services such as roads, fuel and maintenance. Industries and new jobs grew up to provide these products and services.
Today, there are about 1.4 billion automobiles in operation worldwide. The most popular type are passenger cars, which account for more than a third of the global fleet. Trucks and buses are the second most common vehicles, followed by sport and utility vehicles. The car is a cultural icon and the most popular form of personal transportation in many nations, and it has become a symbol of freedom and personal achievement. The automobile has brought the world closer together, but it has also caused problems such as traffic congestion and air pollution.
A key advantage of owning a car is the ability to reach places that are not served by public transit. This can be useful for people who have to attend events that are not scheduled, like job interviews, or for those who live in rural areas or communities with limited public transportation options. Having a car also gives people the freedom to travel around and explore the parts of the world they want to see.
Cars are also a major means of transport for people with disabilities, as well as children who cannot use walking or riding a bicycle. They help people get to school, to work and for other important appointments, as well as to go shopping. They allow people to visit friends and family, go on vacations and take part in other activities.
The automobile provides jobs and opportunities for people in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of these machines. Millions of people all over the world work in factories to make cars, and millions more work in businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and motels that serve travelers. In addition, there are many opportunities for entrepreneurs who start and run businesses such as taxi companies or sell parts to automobile manufacturers. There are also many opportunities for creative people to design and build automobiles, as well as to create films about them.
