Automobiles and Motorcycles
Automobiles are four-wheeled vehicles designed for passenger transportation. They usually use an internal combustion engine to produce gasoline. These systems have a wide range of components that include the chassis, body, tires, transmission, and engine. Automotive manufacturers develop new designs and improve safety and control systems.
The development of modern automobiles began in the late 1800s. During this time, German engineer Karl Benz patented a car that was powered by a gas engine. Other important early inventors of automobiles were Sylvester Howard Roper, who built a similar contraption in 1867; and Ernest Michaux, who developed a motorcycle during the mid-Victorian era.
In the United States, the demand for automobiles stemmed from economic growth. The population had higher per capita incomes than in Europe, which encouraged more mechanization of industrial processes. Furthermore, the use of inexpensive raw materials encouraged the mass production of automobiles.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, the United States had outstripped Europe in the production of motor vehicles. As a result, manufacturers were able to divide the market into small segments. This made it easier to sell cars throughout the country.
At the same time, the introduction of the Model T automobile by Henry Ford helped break the price barrier, making cars more affordable for middle-class families. His assembly line approach revolutionized the industry. Soon, other American automakers were adopting the process.
By the end of the first half of the twentieth century, the automotive industry in the United States was dominated by Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. All three companies were considered the “Big Three” automakers. Using their innovative manufacturing techniques, these companies quickly lowered the cost of automobiles and made them available to the middle class.
By the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century, more than 70 million passenger cars had been manufactured worldwide. The United States accounted for one-quarter of all such vehicles. Aside from domestic production, nearly half of all passenger cars were produced overseas.
During the first half of the twentieth century, the number of active automobile manufacturers dropped from a high of 253 in 1908 to 44 in 1929. European automakers did not begin to use mass production techniques until the 1930s.
During this period, Americans produced more than 485,000 motor vehicles. During this time, the automobile industry in the United States was more competitive than in Europe, because of the availability of cheaper raw materials and the prevalence of cheap labor.
By the end of the 1930s, the United States had more advanced technology, more sophisticated manufacturing processes, and more advanced safety regulations. The American automobile industry dominated the world by the end of the twentieth century.
Today, an estimated 1.4 billion passenger cars are in operation around the world. Automobiles are the most common form of transport in society. To meet the growing demand for automobiles, automobile manufacturers continue to develop new designs and technology. Thousands of components make up an automobile.
While the definition of an automobile may vary, it is generally agreed upon that an automobile is a vehicle that is designed to carry a large number of passengers on a road. Its design depends on the purpose of its use and the size of its engine.