The Automobile is a four-wheeled vehicle that is powered by a motor, usually gas. It is used to transport people and cargo from one place to another. It is also a means of personal mobility that gives you freedom and access to places not reachable by other means.
Having your own automobile means that you can be independent of public transportation. You can travel to work, school or play without having to adjust your schedule to fit that of others. You can go on shopping trips with your family or friends, or visit people in other towns.
With the advent of the Automobile, new industries sprang up to support it, including repair shops, gas stations, hotels and restaurants. The convenience and speed of automobiles opened up the possibilities for jobs and lifestyles that could not have been imagined before.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact date of the invention of the automobile, but it was likely perfected in Germany and France during the late 1800s by such men as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto. During this time, manufacturers were developing various designs and models of cars powered by steam, electric motors and gasoline engines.
Gasoline-powered vehicles won out over other options because of their greater range and speed. By 1920, they had overtaken the streets and highways of Europe and the United States. The automobile also brought with it an era of annually restyled road cruisers, which drove the American auto industry to profits well beyond those that could be made with more functionally designed and quality-built small vehicles from Japan.
Automobiles have become a fixture in the United States, with 88 percent of households owning one or more. With so many cars on the road, however, traffic is often bad, and pollution from exhaust can be a problem.
The best way to avoid these problems is to own a fuel-efficient car. The 2023 Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Kia Forte and other cars are popular choices that offer high fuel economy, good safety ratings and spacious passenger room for an affordable price. Those who have a passion for driving will enjoy sports cars such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which offers a great blend of power and handling. For those who want to drive something economical but with some style, consider the stylish Toyota Prius.
