Automobiles are a form of land transportation that is driven by an engine or motor. They are more mobile than a boat or airplane, but less mobile than a truck/lorry and bus. Automobiles usually have four wheels and can be powered by gasoline (carburetor internal combustion), diesel, gas turbine, or electric. An automobile is equipped with a transmission, chassis, bodywork, control system, service devices, and an engine.
Cars have made it possible for people to travel long distances with ease. This has helped them find jobs and more places to live, as well as to visit friends and family. They have also created jobs in industries that make and repair cars, as well as in services like gas stations. The automobile has brought new problems too, such as the need for safety features and highway rules. It has also caused pollution by burning gasoline, and taken over open space that could have been used for farming or recreation.
The first automobiles were steam engines attached to wagons. They were heavy and slow, but as technology improved, they became faster and easier to handle. The automobile became more popular after Karl Benz invented the first modern gasoline-powered four-stroke internal combustion engine. He then started making automobiles in a factory. Henry Ford revolutionized the way automobiles were made by using assembly lines, which made it cheaper to produce them. The automobile has become the most common vehicle in the world, with more than 63 million of them produced annually.