An automobile, also known as a car, is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers. Its power is supplied by an internal combustion engine or electric motor. Its chassis is made of metal or other materials and it uses a variety of systems to control, drive and guide the movement of the vehicle. There are a number of types of automobiles on the market, with different capabilities and prices to match.
The modern automotive industry is dominated by a few large corporations. These are General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Toyota. Other major manufacturers include Volkswagen, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. The industry is also highly competitive, with a great number of small to medium size companies competing in the market. This means that the prices of automobiles are constantly changing.
Automobiles are a fundamental part of many countries’ economic life. They have revolutionized urban transportation and changed the way people live their lives. The modern world would be almost impossible to imagine without automobiles. In the United States, for example, the automobile was one of the first industries to adopt industrial production methods and Henry Ford’s assembly line, which dramatically lowered the cost of cars until they became affordable to most middle-class families.
The automobile has also brought changes to other parts of the economy. It has created new jobs and industries to supply the manufacture and distribution of automobiles. Services such as gas stations and convenience stores have also developed to meet the demands of car owners. It has also created changes in personal freedom, with the automobile allowing people to travel farther and faster than ever before.
Most people who own a car will tell you that their lives are much more convenient than they were before they acquired it. Whether it’s getting to work on time, taking the kids to school or just going out for a coffee with friends, it’s easy to see how having your own vehicle can change your whole day. In addition to making life easier, it’s also much safer than having to rely on public transportation.
While the automobile was being developed in the late 19th century, inventors were experimenting with a wide variety of engines and designs. Inventors such as Nikolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz created vehicles powered by steam, electric power or gasoline. By the end of the century, it was clear that automobiles powered by gasoline were the most popular choice.
After the end of World War II, the industry experienced a period of consolidation. Many of the major car manufacturing companies were established in the 1920s and most of them developed their products along similar lines. With the invention of safety and environmental standards, and with the introduction of fuel efficient Japanese cars into the United States market, the need for rapid innovation in both product design and production technology began to diminish. Several Japanese automakers, including Honda, Suzuki and Nissan, started as non-automotive companies before they shifted their focus to car production.