An automobile, also called a car, is a four-wheeled motor vehicle used for transportation on roads. It is powered by a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine, which has two or more cylinders and turns the crankshaft to move the wheels. It can carry passengers and cargo and may be equipped with air conditioning, heaters, power steering, antilock braking systems and other safety devices.
Automobiles are a symbol of modernity and a major part of the global economy. They have changed the way we live, work and play, providing freedom of movement that was previously unobtainable and generating whole new industries and jobs that would not exist without them. However, automobiles have also created problems such as traffic congestion and air pollution, which can be reduced by using more fuel-efficient vehicles and limiting their use when possible.
The automobile was first developed in Europe in the late 1800s, but the United States came to dominate the industry in the 1920s through Henry Ford’s innovative mass production techniques. American manufacturers also played a crucial role in producing military vehicles and war materiel during World War II, but afterward the industry was a worldwide enterprise as Japan and Europe emerged as major producers.
Today there are over 1.4 billion cars in operation worldwide, making it one of the most common and widely used of all modern technologies. It is estimated that over three trillion miles (five trillion kilometers) are traveled by automobiles each year. The word automobile comes from the Latin ad vehiculum, meaning “car” or “farther away.” The modern automobile has become an integral part of everyday life in many countries around the world. It provides personal freedom and mobility, especially in urban areas, where people can go from place to place more quickly and conveniently than by foot or bicycle.
The automotive industry is the most profitable and fastest-growing sector of the global manufacturing economy. Its products are sold in more than 190 countries, and it employs more than 73 million people worldwide. It is one of the largest consumers of steel and petroleum, and its demands are changing the way these and other industries operate.
The term automobile comes from the Latin ad vehiculum, or “car” or “farther away.” Before the automobile, travelers had to depend on trains and ships to get to their destinations, but now they can drive on their own or take a ride in a friend’s car. They can visit friends, shop for necessities and have fun on the road. But automobiles have some negative effects, such as the need to pay for insurance and maintain the car regularly, as well as the need for parking space when there is a lot of traffic. Also, automobiles burn gasoline, which releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Some governments are restricting the use of automobiles to ease the problem. They have also encouraged other types of non-polluting transportation such as buses, trams and monorails. The development of electric and other alternative forms of propulsion for cars is under way.