Automobiles

Automobiles are a kind of motor vehicle that is used for transporting people. They can have four or more wheels and are usually constructed for running mainly on roads. Most automobiles are gasoline powered, although they can also use diesel fuel. Automobiles are designed to carry between two and six passengers, whereas trucks are generally used for the transportation of cargo, and buses (or omnibuses) are used for carrying large numbers of passengers. The word comes from French, a combination of the words auto- (“self”) and mobile (“capable of moving”). The first automobiles were steam or electric powered. They were not very fast and needed frequent stops to recharge their batteries or replenish steam. They had a 38% share of the market in 1900, but their costs and limited range made them impractical for most Americans.

Karl Benz invented the first practical gasoline-powered automobile in 1885, and other inventors built upon his work. By 1910, Henry Ford had innovated mass production techniques, which allowed him to sell cars for less than the average annual wage in America. The automobile revolutionized American life, connecting people and boosting the economy in many ways.

Having a car allows you to travel farther and faster than before, and you can take your family to places that are not accessible with public transportation. It is also a status symbol. If you have a beautiful automobile parked in front of your house, you will be envied by your neighbors and friends. The sense of accomplishment that you get from having your own automobile will motivate you to keep working hard and improving yourself.