Automobiles are vehicles that move under their own power without relying on a horse or other animal. They have many uses and can help you get where you want to go more quickly than walking or using public transportation.
Most of the automotive technology we have today was invented by Karl Benz, a German engineer who designed his first automobile around 1885. Benz was followed by other inventors and engineers who made improvements to his design. In the early 20th century, businessman Henry Ford developed mass production techniques that allowed a larger number of people to own and use automobiles.
Some cars have an internal combustion engine while others run on electricity or fuel cells. Gasoline-powered cars dominate the world automobile market, with more than 48 million of them sold in 1913 alone. Electric cars have a small share of the market, largely because they can only travel short distances and need to be recharged regularly.
New technical developments can help an automobile perform better or be safer, or make it easier to maintain. For example, improved brakes can make it easier to stop a car. New materials allow cars to be built lighter and stronger than ever before, while engines produce less pollution.
One of the most important reasons to own an automobile is that it gives you freedom and independence. When you own a car, you can travel wherever you want to go without having to rely on other people or buses and trains. You can choose to live in one place and work in another, or you can commute to work from home, opening up more opportunities for your career.