A modern automobile is a four-wheeled vehicle designed for passenger transportation and propelled by an internal combustion engine that burns a fuel. The engine drives a crankshaft, which turns the wheels. Automobiles are usually driven by gasoline, although other fuels such as electricity or natural gas can be used.
Historically, the automobile revolutionized life in the United States and around the world. People became less reliant on public transport and could enjoy more freedom in their daily lives. The industry also created new jobs and industries that supplied automotive parts and services. Industries like steel, petroleum and rubber grew to meet the demands of the automobile market.
The first true automobile was built in 1769 by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France. It had three wheels and was powered by steam. However, it had to be heated before driving and was slow. Other manufacturers produced steam-powered cars in the 1890s and early 1900s, but they were expensive and difficult to operate.
Karl Benz of Germany is credited with inventing the modern automobile in 1885, although there were many others who had tried to build one before him. The automobile was very expensive at that time and only the rich could afford it. Henry Ford changed all that when he developed the assembly line, which allowed him to make cars at a much lower cost and bring them within the reach of the middle class.
Modern automobiles are complex technical systems with thousands of component parts. The most important of these are the powertrain and suspension. The powertrain consists of the engine, transmission and drive train. The transmission converts the mechanical energy of the engine into electrical energy, which powers the drive train. The suspension system is what provides the car with its handling characteristics and enables it to drive over bumps or travel over uneven terrain.
Besides automobiles designed for passengers, there are also special vehicles for work such as crane cars at construction sites or fork-lift trucks in warehouses. Other types of cars include fire engines and ambulances.
As for the future of the automobile, there are some concerns about its impact on the environment and human health. It is a major source of air pollution, which in turn causes climate change and depletes natural resources like fossil fuels. The exhaust from cars contains greenhouse gases, which allow sunlight to enter the Earth’s atmosphere more than it should.
The most popular type of automobiles today are small sedans and hatchbacks, which are designed for a mixture of passenger and cargo space. Other popular designs are station wagons, minivans and SUVs. SUVs are a particularly versatile category that combine the towing capability of pickup trucks with the passenger-carrying capacity of cars. This makes them popular for family trips and outdoor activities. There are also some luxury cars, which are usually designed for high-income drivers. These are often imported from Europe. Some of the more well-known brands are Audi, BMW and Mercedes.