Automobiles are vehicles that use an internal combustion engine to make them move. The engines use fuel to make them run, such as gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel or kerosene. Some automobiles also have electric motors that turn the wheels using electricity. There are many different types of automobiles, from luxury sedans to off-road vehicles. Each one is designed to meet a particular need.

Having an automobile can be convenient and save time. It gives people the freedom to travel on their own schedule, rather than having to wait for others or relying on public transportation to get them where they need to go. It is important to keep in mind that owning an automobile comes with some upfront costs, but can ultimately pay for itself over time.

Cars have become the dominant mode of personal transportation worldwide. Annually, between five and 59 million various cars are produced around the world. Most of these are passenger vehicles, but there are also commercial (trucks, buses, vans, taxis) and special (fire, sanitary, autoclave, refrigerator, infantry fighting vehicle) automobiles.

The modern automobile was first perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by such inventors as Nicolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. The first cars used an external power source such as a horse, steam or water.

American industrialist Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile industry in the early twentieth century by introducing mass production techniques. The Model T became the most popular car in the world, and Ford’s manufacturing methods helped to bring the price of automobiles down so that they could be affordable for middle-class families.

Modern automobiles are complex technical systems with thousands of component parts. Their design is constantly evolving, incorporating advances in everything from electronic computers to high-strength plastics and new alloys of steel and nonferrous metals. Most of these innovations have come about as a result of the need to improve safety, performance and handling.

The main disadvantage of the automobile is its effect on the environment. It releases greenhouse gases when it is driven, and most of these emissions are from the burning of fossil fuels. It is therefore important to limit the amount of fuel you consume and drive your automobile efficiently to minimize its environmental impact. There are other forms of transport that are more environmentally friendly, including walking, riding a bicycle and using trains or boats. In addition, the noise from an automobile can be distracting and stressful for passengers. The noise may also be annoying for people who live in buildings or apartments near the road. The noise level of an automobile can be controlled by the installation of sound-absorbing materials in the car.