Automobiles are a means of transportation that use an engine to make them run. They are usually used to transport people and can hold from one to seven seats. They are much faster than walking or riding a bike and are used to travel long distances in a short amount of time. They are also safer than traveling by plane. Having your own car gives you freedom and independence from relying on other methods of transportation. It also helps you save time and money. There are some downsides to owning a car, though, such as maintenance costs and finding places to park.
There are many different types of automobiles in the world. Some of them are powered by steam, electricity, or gasoline. The first modern automobile was invented by Karl Benz in 1885. His automobile had a four-stroke internal combustion engine and was the first to be made in large numbers. Other important automobile innovations were the self-starter, the closed all-steel body, and hydraulic brakes.
The most common fuel for automobiles is gasoline, which is called petrol or gas in some countries. Other vehicles may be powered by electricity, hydrogen, or another type of fuel. The word automobile comes from the French words autos (self) and mobile (moving). It is used to describe any vehicle that is able to carry its own power to move on the ground and can travel at speeds greater than those of walking or bicycling. Vehicles that carry cargo are usually called trucks, lorries, or vans.
In the United States, the automobile revolutionized the economy and culture of the nation. It allowed a greater percentage of the population to travel to work and other places outside their homes. It also brought urban amenities, such as schools and health care, to rural America. In addition, it spurred the growth of industries associated with the automobile, such as restaurants, motels, and roadside services. It also resulted in the growth of suburban development, with housing being built away from cities to avoid the noise and pollution of traffic.
Before the Great Depression, automobile production in the United States was limited. Many companies produced small numbers of cars, and some began as non-automotive businesses, such as Daihatsu, which started as a textile manufacturer in 1911. Others, such as Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, and Mazda, moved into automobile production after the end of World War II.
After the Depression, there was a rapid expansion of automobile production in the United States. This increased demand led to the development of mass-production techniques by companies such as Ford and General Motors. These new production techniques allowed the manufacture of automobiles at a price lower than in Europe. The availability of cheap raw materials and the absence of tariff barriers between states encouraged a wide geographic distribution of sales. By the late 1920s, most of the major innovations in automobile design and manufacturing had been implemented. In the 1930s, however, market saturation coincided with technological stagnation: With few exceptions, there were only incremental improvements in the performance and comfort of automobiles.