A car is a four-wheeled vehicle that is used for transportation. It can be used for passenger or cargo transportation. Originally, a car was a two-wheeled vehicle that had a rear engine and front wheels that could be steerable.
Automobiles became a reality in the early twentieth century. This technology was a result of new technical advancements and new safety legislation. During this period, manufacturers began to improve their body, chassis, and emissions control systems.
By the middle of the twentieth century, the automobile industry was a key force in the evolution of the United States. The automobile provided better medical care, schools, and urban amenities to rural America. In addition, the car industry was the largest consumer of many industrial products.
Motor vehicles increased in power and weight, and their production increased dramatically. Moreover, cars became more expensive. With the advent of the Interstate Highway Act of 1956, construction of streets and highways reached a peak.
By the late 1920s, the United States had become the world’s leader in the manufacture of cars. The “Big Three” auto companies, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, dominated the market.
Automobile production soared in Japan after World War II. By the early 1980s, the automobile industry was a worldwide phenomenon. Worldwide, 70 million passenger cars are produced every year.
After World War II, the automobile industry grew in the United States as well. It also helped transform the petroleum industry. Many of the automobiles manufactured during the war served as vehicles for military operations.