Automobiles and the Automotive Industry
Automobiles are a type of vehicle that can be driven on roads. They can be a variety of different designs but typically have four wheels, an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.
They are one of the most universal of modern technologies. Known more commonly as cars, formerly as motorcars, automobiles are produced by one of the world’s largest industries and have changed the way we live and travel.
Cars are a popular form of transportation with more than 1.4 billion vehicles in operation worldwide and around 70 million new ones manufactured each year. There are also many different types of automobiles used in various industries, including passenger cars, trucks and buses.
Automotive technology has come a long way, with amazing sound systems, better control of the interior environment, and rear-view cameras all becoming more commonplace in modern vehicles. Some of the most exciting and popular automotive tech features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless device charging capabilities.
The automotive industry is a global one, with hundreds of small manufacturers competing to gain the attention of the public and the world’s media. Henry Ford and other American companies pioneered the use of assembly line manufacturing techniques and mass production to keep costs low for consumers. Today, the automotive industry is one of the most successful and lucrative industries in the world. With more than 73 million cars sold worldwide in 2017, the industry is a major player in the economy and an important contributor to the economic well-being of most countries.