Automobiles (pronounced as “ah-mo-teh-bul”) are motor vehicles designed for transportation on roads, usually with four wheels and a powered internal combustion engine that is most often fuelled by gasoline, a liquid petroleum product. The modern automobile is a complex technical system, with many subsystems that are designed to work together and have specific design functions. Automobiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes and may be fitted with passenger seating, cargo carrying capacity, safety systems and entertainment features.
The term automobile derives from the Greek word meaning mobile, meaning it can be pushed, pulled, rolled or carried from one place to another. Automobiles have been in use for over a hundred years and today more than 73 million of them are produced worldwide. They provide millions of jobs for people who build, repair and drive them. They give people the freedom to travel, and they have helped shape our economy and culture.
It is difficult to say who invented the automobile, since it was a collaborative effort by several inventors and engineers. But most historians agree that Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France constructed a steam-powered vehicle in 1769, and later that his son created a second version that was capable of running for 20 minutes at 2.25 miles per hour while carrying passengers. In the 19th century Germany became the centre of car production, as Nikolaus Otto built the first internal combustion engine and Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz began producing petrol-driven cars. But it was Henry Ford who revolutionized the industry in America, introducing mass production methods with his Model T in 1910 that made gas-powered automobiles affordable to the general population.
Modern automobiles are designed to be safe, comfortable, and economical. Safety systems, including airbags and antilock brakes, are designed to protect occupants from injury or death in the event of an accident. The economic efficiency of a car is determined by its load-carrying capability, aerodynamics, and handling characteristics. Other factors include its weight, power, suspension and braking systems, transmission type, engine performance, traction control and electrical systems.
Specialized automobiles are also available for some uses, for example police cars and fire engines. These are called emergency automobiles because they can be used to save lives in case of accidents or other emergencies. They are also designed to carry heavy loads and can be driven on rocky, snowy or muddy surfaces where regular automobiles cannot.
Automakers are constantly developing new technology to improve the performance and comfort of their vehicles. They are also working on ways to reduce the environmental impact of their products. They are experimenting with new materials and manufacturing processes to make vehicles lighter and more efficient. They are using computers to help them develop better designs and to control the engine, transmission and other systems. Moreover, they are looking for new sources of energy that can power automobiles without relying on fossil fuels. These new technologies could be hydrogen fuel cells, electric motors or biofuels.