Typically, an automobile is a motor vehicle with four or more wheels. It can be self-propelled or powered by an internal combustion engine. It can be used for transporting passengers or goods, or for commercial purposes. They can also be used as army vehicles.
The origins of automobiles date back to the 17th century. Early cars were two or three-wheeled bicycle-like contraptions. The first engine to power a vehicle was designed by Carl Benz. His patent for the Motorwagen was awarded on 29 January 1886.
By the mid-1880s, Benz had built his own company, Benz & Cie. During the mid-Victorian era, bike builder Sylvester Howard Roper created a similar machine.
In 1893, Benz’s first four-wheeler was introduced. He also designed the first internal combustion flat engine. The first Motorwagen was built in Mannheim, Germany, in 1885.
In the early twentieth century, the auto industry grew rapidly. The manufacturing and marketing of cars were standardized. This helped the auto industry become a global industry.
The automotive industry grew even more after World War II. Japan surpassed the United States in automobile production. After WWII, the demand for cars in Europe and other parts of the world increased. In the 1970s, oil shortages and embargoes caused the price of gasoline to rise. The price of Japanese cars increased dramatically.
During the twentieth century, the automobile industry was dominated by a few major companies. These companies formed the “Big Three” auto manufacturers. The Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler companies became the largest automakers in the world. During the 1980s, the auto industry began losing ground to foreign companies.