Automobiles and Automotive Technology

Automobiles are self-propelled vehicles that use an internal combustion engine to move themselves from point A to point B. They are the primary means of transportation in most societies, and more than 1.4 billion automobiles exist worldwide.

Automotive technology is the science of designing, building, and testing motorized vehicles. It is also the study of the design and development of vehicle systems, such as engines, transmissions, brakes, steering, suspensions, air conditioning, heating, and other equipment.

Auto-related industries have played an important role in American life, particularly during the twentieth century. During World War II, they produced several million military vehicles and war materiel.

There are many types of cars, and they all have different purposes. Some are designed to transport a small number of people, while others are large family vehicles or sport utility vehicles.

Some are designed for off-road use, while others have high performance and are optimized for highways and other limited-access roads. The design of an automobile depends on its intended use and on a variety of technical considerations, including stability, engine performance, weight distribution, and the choice of wheels for propulsion.

Cars are divided into light, medium, and heavy categories, depending on the number of wheels and fuel used. A lighter vehicle may be a car, jeep, minivan, or truck; a medium vehicle might be a tempo, bus, or multi-axle truck; and a heavier vehicle might be a tractor, trailer, or container.