Automobiles, sometimes known as motorcars or cars, are a common mode of transportation. They are primarily propelled by an internal-combustion engine using a volatile fuel. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems consisting of thousands of component parts, each designed to perform a specific function. The main systems include the engine, a cooling and lubrication system, an electrical system, a transmission, wheels and tires, and a chassis that supports and protects the other systems.
The invention of the automobile has had a profound impact on the history and social life of many countries. It has brought with it a new freedom from dependence on public transportation and expanded work possibilities by enabling people to live in places that are more distant from their workplaces. It has also helped bring food and services to remote areas.
Automobiles are a key part of the global economy, accounting for around 20 percent of worldwide industrial output. They also are a significant source of employment. The development of the automobile was spurred by a number of factors, including advances in engineering and manufacturing technology and competition between manufacturers throughout the world. For example, the American manufacturers Ford, GM, and Chrysler were able to exploit a large buyer’s market for automobiles that offered greater convenience than traditional horse-drawn carriages.
Having your own automobile gives you the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you wish, allowing you to visit friends, go shopping, or see your doctor when needed. It also gives you the flexibility to move to a new place to work or to seek out different living arrangements for your family. The automobile is also useful for transporting heavy or awkward goods that are difficult to load on a truck.
There is a wealth of etymology tucked into the familiar names of some automobiles. For example, “automobile” is derived from the French words for “motorized self-carrying.”
Automobiles are an integral part of our lives today and it seems almost inconceivable that we could live without them. But the era of automobiles may be slowly fading into history as new forces begin to shape the future. A new Age of Electronics is blending with an era that can appropriately be called the Age of the Automobile.