Automobiles are vehicles which use an engine to generate power to move. Most automobiles are designed to carry passengers and cargo. Most modern automobiles are powered by internal combustion engines. The word “automobile” comes from the Latin words for “self” and “mobilis” (moving).
Whether an automobile is a passenger car, utility vehicle or truck/lorry depends on its design and purpose. Specialized cars are used for various purposes, such as cranes and road rollers in construction and fork-lifts in warehouses. Other special automobiles are emergency cars, such as fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles.
An automobile is the main means of transportation for many people in the world. Its convenience and ease of use allow people to move around with their belongings, and visit friends and family without the inconvenience of travelling by train, bus or airplane.
The automobile was developed in Germany and France in the late nineteenth century by Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto. The 1901 Mercedes-Benz, designed by Wilhelm Maybach, was considered to be the first truly modern motorcar in all respects. Its four-cylinder, fifteen-horsepower, gas-powered engine weighed less than fourteen pounds per horsepower and produced a top speed of fifty-three miles an hour. It was also the first automobile to be manufactured in large numbers.
By the 1920s, automobile production had become a central force in American life. It ranked as one of the largest industries in the country by value and provided employment for one out of every six Americans. It also became the main customer of the steel and petroleum industries and the major user of numerous ancillary products.
After World War II, the automobile industry consolidated into a few large companies. The United States had a far greater need for automobiles than Europe, which helped fuel the growth of the industry. Cheap raw materials and the absence of tariff barriers encouraged domestic production. Engineering was subordinated to nonfunctional styling in the postwar period, and quality deteriorated until it reached its low point in the 1960s. Gas-guzzling road cruisers fueled the profitability of Detroit automakers, but at the cost of higher air pollution and a drain on dwindling oil supplies.
Automobiles are constantly evolving, with new technical developments allowing manufacturers to build smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient cars. These changes are not just about reducing costs, though; they help to make the automobile more useful and safe for passengers. For example, safety features like seatbelts have dramatically reduced the number of deaths and injuries in crashes. Many automobiles have computerized systems that manage the ignition, air conditioning and other functions. Some even have GPS navigation and other gadgets that assist drivers. In addition, some cars can be programmed to park themselves or take the driver to their destination with voice commands. However, the fact that a person can be killed while driving an automobile makes it important to follow the law and keep up with the latest safety regulations. Also, a car can be stolen, and having insurance is the best way to protect yourself.