Automobiles are four-wheeled vehicles designed for passenger transportation and powered by an internal combustion engine that uses a volatile fuel. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems that are often influenced by environmental regulations and safety legislation on the national and international level, as well as by market competition between automotive manufacturers worldwide. Automobiles are the main mode of transportation in most countries. In the United States alone, people drive more than three trillion miles (4.8 billion kilometers) each year in cars, trucks, buses, and vans.

The scientific and technical building blocks of the automobile have been around for several hundred years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens invented a type of internal engine sparked by gunpowder that could power a vehicle. The horseless carriage became an important means of transport after that, but its use was limited by the difficulty of getting the vehicle to move without a horse or human assistance. Until the early 1900s, most passenger vehicles were driven by steam engines, battery-powered electric cars, or kerosene and gasoline-fueled engines. The gasoline-powered engine was the most successful and is still in widespread use in modern automobiles.

In the early 1900s, many new automobiles were being built in the United States. The demand for these vehicles was so great that a number of manufacturing techniques were developed to make the cars more affordable, such as using assembly lines to speed production and making the parts from steel alloys instead of heavy iron. The result was that most Americans now owned a car.

One of the most important advantages of owning an automobile is that it opens up the world to you. You can travel long distances and see more of the country than you might have been able to before. This can open up your job opportunities and increase the size of your social circle. It also means that you have more options for where to live in relation to your work, since you can choose to live near your employer rather than having to commute to a different city or state each day.

Automobiles can also be used for leisure activities such as shopping, visiting friends, going to concerts or sports events, and taking a vacation. In addition, there are special automobiles for emergency situations such as fire engines, ambulances and patrol cars. There are also automobiles for commercial purposes such as crane vehicles, road rollers and fork-lifts.

Owning a car is also a necessity in most American cities and suburbs, where stores are often too far away to walk. Many Americans have become dependent on their cars, and most families own at least two vehicles. If you are in the market for a new automobile, you can research cars online to find your perfect model and price. You can even get an automobile loan to help finance your purchase. Some websites will even help you compare prices and trade-in values. Buying a car has never been easier!