Automobiles have a rich history. They were first invented in the late 1800s in Germany and perfected in France in the early 1900s. However, the American automobile industry dominated the industry during the first half of the twentieth century. Henry Ford invented mass-production techniques and by the 1920s, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler became the “Big Three” automobile companies. By the end of World War II, automobile production soared in Europe and Japan, and the automobile industry was a global industry by the 1980s.
Automobiles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, with different definitions depending on the type of vehicle. Many people consider motorcycles to be automobiles, because they are self-propelled and designed for transportation. However, the definition is sometimes unclear and is a gray area in the law.
The term automobile is actually broader than the term “motorcycle.” It covers any self-moving machine. Motorcycles, too, fall under this category, and it does not specify the number of passengers. Motorcycles, for example, are considered a motorized vehicle, and they can carry up to four passengers.
While there is a lot of confusion around the term “motorcycle,” federal guidelines have a general definition. A motorcycle is defined as a motor vehicle that has three wheels and a seat for the rider. The definition of a motorcycle has expanded because of the proliferation of three-wheeled automobiles, which are now a major part of the United States’ transportation system.