An automobile is a self-propelled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers and cargo. It is powered by an internal combustion engine that uses a volatile fuel usually petrol but may also be diesel, CNG or electricity. Automobiles have a wide range of applications and have become one of the most important parts of modern life. The development of the automotive industry is closely linked to economic growth and social change.
Before the automobile, people were limited to how far they could travel on foot, horseback, or by boat. With the advent of the automobile, this changed dramatically. For many, moving even a short distance to work became possible without the long trek through town or hours of uncomfortable buggy ride on rough roads. The suburbs that we have today probably wouldn’t have developed without the convenience of cars.
The car is the most widely used means of transportation in the world, with over 73 million of them being sold worldwide in 2017. These vehicles are made by a wide variety of manufacturers and for all sorts of purposes:
Passenger vehicle – Cars, buses, taxis, etc. Commercial vehicle – Trucks, tempos, containers, etc. Special purpose vehicle – Ambulance, fire brigade, police vehicle, etc.
Originally, automobiles were powered by steam, electric, and gasoline engines. Steam and electricity powered autos competed for decades, with gasoline engines becoming dominant in the 1910s. In the late 1860s Siegfried Marcus, an Austrian working in Vienna, built and patented an automobile with two-stroke internal combustion engines fueled by gasoline. This vehicle was not a success, as it suffered a catastrophic explosion on its first test run.
Gottlieb Daimler later fitted a three-wheeled carriage with his own four-stroke engine, which was a revolutionary design for its time. He and his assistant Wilhelm Maybach produced about thirty automobiles between 1890 and 1895 at their Daimler Works or Hotel Hermann. Although he did not know of Benz’s earlier work, Daimler made several innovations of his own, which were to revolutionize the automobile industry.
The modern automobile is a complex technical system with thousands of component parts that are constantly evolving. New technical developments allow automakers to make ever-faster, safer, and more efficient vehicles. Those advancements include everything from fuel efficiency to safety systems like tire pressure monitoring and lane-keeping assistance. Most cars come with a number of mandatory safety systems, while others are available as options or extras.
There are many things to consider when shopping for a new automobile, but the most important is whether it will be practical for your needs. If you plan on traveling long distances frequently, then a larger vehicle such as an SUV might be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you are mostly planning on short commutes, then something smaller like a compact sedan might be more suitable. The good news is that there are so many different options on the market, you’re sure to find a vehicle that fits your needs perfectly.