Automobiles are four-wheeled transportation vehicles that carry passengers and are usually propelled by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. They are complex technical systems that employ thousands of subsystems with specific design functions. An automobile is powered by chemical or electrical energy, and its ability to send that energy quickly to the wheels is called its power (measured in kilowatts or horsepower).
The first steam-powered road vehicles were developed in the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until the introduction of the gasoline engine in the 1920s that cars began to dominate America’s streets and highways. The car transformed American society, giving people freedom and time to do things they couldn’t before. It also allowed people living in urban areas to escape to the countryside, and it allowed those who lived in rural areas to visit urban destinations.
Today, the automobile continues to be a cornerstone of the economy and a symbol of the modern world. The major automakers compete for customers, and their brands often gain a reputation for quality engineering, comfort and safety. For example, Lexus is a luxury division of Toyota known for its reliability and advanced technology; Honda’s sedans are popular because of their long service lives and fuel efficiency; and BMW offers sporty models that provide exceptional handling and steering.
Automobiles are sold worldwide, with the highest numbers produced in Japan, Germany, France, and the United States. The automobile industry is dominated by relatively few large companies, the biggest of which are General Motors, Toyota and Ford Motor Company.