An automobile, also known as a car or motorcar is a four-wheeled motor vehicle for passenger transportation. It has an internal combustion engine and is fueled by gasoline (petrol) or other petroleum-derived fuel. Its invention has transformed modern life and is one of the most widely used of all modern technologies. It has also created new industries and jobs and shaped urbanization.
The first automobiles were developed in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Inventors such as Nikolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz began building cars. Later on, Henry Ford revolutionized the industry by introducing the assembly line, where workers do one job at a time and parts pass along a conveyor belt. Today, there are many different types of automobiles in production.
Automobiles have a positive impact on people’s lives, providing them with a freedom to travel when and where they want without having to rely on other people or public transport. However, they are also a source of pollution. When too many automobiles are driven in a small area, they create traffic congestion and pollute the air. This combined pollution is partly responsible for global warming.
Moreover, accidents can cause great harm to people and their property. Furthermore, cars consume a lot of oil, which is not always a renewable resource. Some cities and countries have introduced more sustainable forms of transportation, such as buses, trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered or monorail), trams and subways. Some manufacturers have begun producing automobiles that are more energy-efficient and functionally designed, in order to save resources.