Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that use a motor to propel themselves. They can seat from one to seven people and run on roads or off them. They are a major mode of transportation in the world and are used by almost every person and business in the developed nations, where it is common to have a car. They are also a major source of pollution. High fuel prices have encouraged automobile manufacturers to design more efficient vehicles, and alternative fuels are being researched. They have also made it possible for more people to own cars and live farther away from work.

Exactly who invented the automobile is a matter of debate, but historians have generally agreed that Karl Benz of Germany created the first true car in 1885 or 1886. Earlier inventors had experimented with steam, electric, and gasoline-powered vehicles, but these were not as functional as the modern car.

Henry Ford, a businessman and engineer, came up with a number of innovations that changed the way automobiles were produced. His assembly line allowed him to produce lots of the same car quickly and cheaply, which meant that more people could afford them. He also introduced steel bodies and heating systems to help make the car more comfortable.

The automobile embodied the long-standing predilection of Americans for freedom of movement and action and was a key technology in transforming modern society in the early decades of the 20th century. It enabled people to travel far from home and explore places that they could not easily reach in a horse-drawn wagon, bringing commercial vitality to rural areas. It gave young people a new sense of freedom in their relationships, as they drove to their dates’ homes and thereby largely discarded traditional patterns of chaperoned courtship. And as cars became more affordable and easier to operate, they served as a way for families to escape from the urban hustle and bustle by moving into suburbia and developing large homes with yards.

The automobile is considered to be a milestone in human history and is the most commonly used means of transport in the world. It has facilitated individual mobility and the growth of the economy, providing jobs for tens of thousands of people around the globe. It has been a source of frustration for many as environmental problems have arisen, but high fuel prices are an incentive for some drivers to buy lighter, more efficient vehicles and to seek out alternatives to gasoline. The automotive industry is still highly profitable, and it has become a dominant part of the world economy. It is the largest manufacturing industry and has a lot of influence over other sectors. Moreover, owning an automobile is often a requirement for getting loans and credit cards. This shows that a potential borrower can manage payments and maintain a credit record, thus increasing their chances of getting a mortgage or other financial services. This is especially true in the United States, where more than 70 million cars are owned by private individuals.