Automobiles are one of the most common forms of modern transportation. They are self-propelled vehicles with four or more wheels that are powered by an internal combustion engine that uses a volatile fuel, most commonly gasoline. Automobiles are used for passenger transportation, and there are over 1.4 billion of them in use worldwide. The branches of engineering that deal with automobiles are called automotive engineering.
The earliest automobiles were steam, electric, and gasoline-powered, with the gasoline internal combustion engine attaining dominance in the 1910s. The first automobile to be mass-produced was the Model T, produced by Henry Ford. The Model T allowed many people to own their own automobile for the first time, which greatly improved the quality of life in America.
A modern automobile is often a complex technical system that incorporates thousands of individual subsystems that have specific design functions. Research and development engineers constantly seek to improve the automobile in all its components, including the body, chassis, engine, drive train, and safety systems.
Car accidents are a major problem and a frequent cause of death in the United States and other countries. These accidents can be caused by reckless driving or by faulty mechanical parts. There are also many other factors that can contribute to an accident, such as weather or road conditions.
The most important advantage of owning a car is that it provides you with independence. It is much easier to reach your destination when you have your own vehicle than when you rely on public transport, such as buses or taxis. When you are using public transportation, it can be difficult to plan your schedule because you have to consider when the next bus will arrive. With your own car, you can plan ahead and make sure that you are always on time for your appointments and events.