Types of Automobiles
Whether you call them cars, trucks, or limousines, automobiles are still one of the most common ways to get around. They are usually fueled by gasoline, diesel, or electrical energy. Most people use the term “automobile” to refer to a four-wheeled vehicle that’s designed to transport at least two to six people, but there are many other types of automobiles.
The first motor vehicles were pedal cycles. These were usually equipped with small spark ignition engines. During the late nineteenth century, bicycle manufacturers began converting pedal cycles into motorcycles. A three-wheeler built by Edward Butler in 1884 was the first commercially produced motorcycle. It had a horizontal single-cylinder gasoline engine, steerable front wheels, and a drive chain connecting the rear wheel.
In the twentieth century, the gasoline-powered automobile surpassed the horseless carriage in the United States. By the early 1920s, the gas-powered car had displaced the street cars of Europe. As manufacturing techniques advanced, the automobile became more affordable to middle-class families. Automotive designers embraced sleek iconography and streamlining in their designs.
Today, the automobile is an industry that is worth billions of dollars. Automakers are continually striving for efficiency. Their innovations include new aerodynamics, hood ornaments, and instrument panels, and their products can be found in many forms. Some cars are also powered by solar cells or wind turbines.
In addition to its primary function of transportation, an automobile is also a vehicle for business. It can be used to transport goods, provide emergency response, and conduct commercial activities. While they can be used for a number of other purposes, they are best suited for light traffic.
Automobiles have become a popular form of transportation because they are generally easy to operate and maintain. They can also be used to make purchases, allowing drivers to stop and appreciate the scenery. But cars may also cause accidents.
Cars are made from a variety of materials, with some of the more common being chrome. Chrome is often used on instrument panels, hood ornaments, and headlamps. Other parts of the automobile, such as the wheels, transmission, and suspension, are usually made of metal.
Automobiles are usually made to transport a limited amount of cargo. For example, a compact vehicle is intended to carry two to four passengers. If more than nine passengers are needed, a bus, van, or limo are better suited.
Although they are self-propelled, automobiles aren’t necessarily the most efficient way to travel. In fact, they have been the subject of several court cases, some of which have resulted in the classification of motorcycles as not automobiles.
Despite the fact that the automobile has become the dominant mode of transportation in the United States, its sales have climbed to a record 1.43 million units in 2012. This number is expected to increase to about 4.8 trillion kilometers per year by the end of 2012. Fortunately, the automobile industry is slowly improving. Vehicle ownership is rising at about 5 percent to 10 percent a year.