Automobiles are powered by an internal combustion engine, which converts chemical energy from fuel into mechanical energy that turns the wheels of the vehicle to move it. The fuel is usually gasoline (petrol), but the engine could also be powered by diesel, natural gas, or even kerosene. The resulting mechanical energy is transferred from the engine to the wheels via a gearbox and axles, with the speed of the wheels being controlled by the engine throttle or transmission controls.
The first automobiles were developed in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by such men as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and Nicolaus Otto. The 1901 Mercedes model, which weighed fourteen pounds per horsepower, is widely considered the first modern motorcar in all its essentials. But the most important development in automotive history was the introduction of the mass-production model by Ransom E. Olds in 1904-1906. The one-cylinder, three-horsepower Oldsmobile cost only $650, well within the means of middle-class Americans.
By the 1920s, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler had established themselves as the Big Three automakers, and a wide variety of automobile models flooded the market. But by the late 1920s, the automobile industry had reached a point of saturation. Production was increasing steadily, but the pace of technological innovation was slowing down.
A car’s design depends to a large extent on its intended use. Off-road vehicles, for example, require durable components with a high resistance to overloading and extreme operating conditions. On the other hand, a car designed for highway travel must have a high top speed to allow it to keep up with other traffic. In addition, it is desirable for an automobile to be easy to drive, with stable handling at high speeds and good aerodynamic performance.
The modern automobile is a complex machine with many moving parts. The engine is the heart of the vehicle, and its performance is crucial to the safety and functionality of the entire car. Other moving parts include the transmission system, chassis, and bodywork. The electrical equipment in a modern car includes an engine control unit, lighting, and power steering.
Automobiles are the most common mode of transportation worldwide, with 1.4 billion cars in operation as of 2019. Passenger cars dominate world car production. Annually, about 5 – 59 million various automobiles are produced throughout the world. The majority of them are produced in the NAFTA countries, Japan, China, Republic of Korea, and Europe. They are also manufactured in a number of other countries, including the United States, Brazil, India, and Germany. Automobiles are also the most popular vehicle type for commercial transport. They are used in nearly all fields of commercial transport and are the main source of passenger transportation in the developed world. In addition, they provide a convenient and economical form of transportation in developing countries. They are also an important part of the freight transport. They can carry loads that are too heavy for trucks or railcars to haul.