Automobiles are vehicles that are powered by an internal combustion engine and use a volatile fuel. There are many different types of automobiles and they all have different features. The main parts of an automobile are the engine, chassis, transmission and bodywork. The engine is what propels the car and it can be powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene or even electricity. The body is what houses the passengers and other mechanical parts of the vehicle. The chassis is what supports the body and other parts of the vehicle and it can be made out of steel, wood or plastics. The transmission is what connects the engine to the wheels and it can be either manual or automatic. The wheels are what make the car move and they can be made out of steel, aluminium or rubber.

In the 1920’s and 1930’s the automobile became a big part of American life. It was a symbol of freedom and independence. It also created new jobs and industries that didn’t exist before. The automotive industry was the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society. It was the largest industry in America and one of the chief customers for steel and other industrial products. It also helped create new services such as repair shops, gas stations and banks.

The first automobiles were steam powered. There were a variety of steam-powered cars during the first part of the 19th century, such as steam buses and phaetons. These were a little like carriages with engines.

During the early 1880’s Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and Leon Malandin of France built and patented an internal combustion gasoline engine mounted on an old four-wheeled horse cart. However, during its first test drive the engine exploded and shook the frame apart.

Henry Ford began large scale production of automobiles in 1908. He introduced the assembly line at his Highland Park, Michigan plant and produced 15 million Model T runabouts by 1927. This was an unprecedented amount of production and it helped put the automobile within the reach of middle class Americans.

Postwar the issue of automobiles revolved around nonfunctional styling, safety issues and economic aspects relating to “gas-guzzling” cars. The issue of air pollution from automobiles and the draining of world oil reserves also came into play. These factors led to the emergence of Japanese cars which were well designed, functional and fuel efficient.

Nowadays, cars are the main mode of transportation in the world. Over 5 – 59 million various cars are produced worldwide each year and they make up about 25% of the world’s road transport. The automobile has many advantages over other forms of transportation such as trains, ships and airplanes. The most obvious advantage is personal freedom. Having a car allows you to go where and when you want without having to wait on others or worry about the weather. You can take a car to work, visit friends or travel long distances. There are also special automobiles that can be used in the work force such as crane vehicles at construction sites, fork-lifts at warehouses and police cars.