An automobile is a motor vehicle designed for the transportation of people and usually propelled by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. Its design combines many complex technical systems with specific design functions. Modern automobiles have tens of thousands of component parts, including electronic computer-controlled systems, high-strength plastics and new alloys of steel and nonferrous metals. Hundreds of manufacturers make vehicles, and their designs are continuously refined to improve performance, safety, comfort, and convenience.
The development of automobiles changed the way people live and work. It made it possible for workers to commute long distances to jobs, and it encouraged outdoor leisure activities that spawned services such as hotels, motels, amusement parks, restaurants, and fast food chains. It also contributed to the growth of urban areas and to government spending on roads, highways, and streetlights.
Modern life would seem inconceivable, or at least highly inconvenient, without the use of a personal automobile. Almost 1.4 billion passenger cars are in operation worldwide, covering more than three trillion miles (five trillion kilometres) each year. These vehicles have become the dominant means of transportation for most families. They have revolutionized commerce, bringing about globalization and the rise of multinational corporations. The car is a symbol of American ingenuity and economic success, but it has also had significant negative effects on the environment and human health.
The history of the automobile has been a complicated one. Exactly who invented it is a matter of debate, but it is generally agreed that the first gasoline-powered automobile was introduced in the United States in 1908. The car has had an enormous impact on human society, changing it in both obvious and subtle ways.
Anyone who owns a car knows that it makes their life much easier. By eliminating the need to rely on public transportation, you can save yourself a lot of time and money, and you can avoid the stress that can occur when you have to be somewhere at a certain time. You can also control your schedule more easily and have the freedom to choose how you want to get around.
There are several different types of automobiles, depending on their purpose and usage. These include passenger cars, cargo, and special (e.g., fire, sanitary, mobile crane, autoclave, refrigerator and infantry fighting vehicles). Passable cars are also divided into road, off-road (including quarry), and increased cross-country ability. There are also sports cars and buggies, which are used for racing.
