Automobiles are four-wheeled transportation vehicles that people use to travel long distances. They are usually powered by an internal combustion engine, and they are often fueled by gasoline (also known as petrol). They can also be driven by electricity, air, hydrogen, and various other alternative fuels. Automobiles are characterized by their use of modern technology and a high level of automation.
The automobile revolutionized the way that people live and work. It is the dominant form of road transportation in most countries, and it has become one of the world’s largest industries. It has also helped to shape the way that cities grow and the places where people choose to live.
Car manufacturing is a complex business that employs many people. The cars that come off the assembly line need to be reliable and comfortable. The engineers and scientists who design them have to consider a number of different factors. These include cost-efficient production, clear visibility, and safe operation.
The scientific and technical building blocks of the automobile go back several hundred years. The modern automobile was perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by such men as Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, Nicolaus Otto and Emile Levassor. But it was the 1901 Mercedes, designed by Wilhelm Maybach, that embodied the most mature and complete version of the motorcar. Its advanced engineering matched its moderate price and operating costs, making it affordable to middle-class Americans.