Automobiles, also called motor vehicles, are powered by internal combustion engines. They are the most common form of transport on earth and have revolutionized the way we live. They are used for personal transportation and for transporting goods. The branches of engineering which deal with automobiles are known as automotive engineering.
There is something about owning an automobile that makes it feel like a luxury. A car can allow you to travel long distances more comfortably than any other means of transportation. It can take you to places that are inaccessible to buses or trains, such as mountains or deserts. It can be a place where you and your family can relax. It can be a status symbol, and it can give you and your family the sense of independence that comes from not having to rely on friends or relatives for rides.
However, there are drawbacks to owning an automobile. They can damage if they are not driven carefully. They can be a source of air pollution. They can cause traffic congestion, and they can be a drain on the world’s dwindling oil reserves. They can also be very expensive to maintain.
The history of the automobile is a fascinating one. Exactly who invented it is a matter of debate. The first modern automobile was probably created in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by men such as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and Nicolaus Otto. But the 1901 Mercedes, designed by Wilhelm Maybach for Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, deserves to be considered the first truly modern automobile. It was an amazing achievement for its time.
