Automobiles are four-wheeled vehicles that are used for passenger transportation. They are usually fueled by gasoline. The automobile industry is a key part of the modern world. It has developed from new technologies and breakthroughs in existing technology.
Modern cars are built from thousands of component parts. Their stability is primarily determined by the weight distribution. They also have to be resistant to harsh operating conditions.
For example, if the automobile has to travel off-road, it must be durable and capable of surviving heavy overloads. In addition, it must have a high level of performance and optimized high-speed handling.
During the First World War, the automobile industry played a significant role. Ford and General Motors pumped resources into the war. These companies created 75 essential military items, totaling $29 billion.
By the end of the First World War, the United States had the largest automotive transportation market in the world. At the same time, its per capita income was higher than that of Europe.
American manufacturers used mass production techniques to reduce their prices. Eventually, Henry Ford’s Model T became affordable to middle-class families. Throughout the 1920s, the automobile dominated the streets of the United States.
After World War II, automobile production soared in Europe and Japan. These countries had much lower costs for raw materials. This encouraged mechanization of manufacturing processes.
Although Americans quickly dominated the automobile industry in the first half of the twentieth century, European automakers did not begin using mass production methods until the 1930s. However, by the late 1920s, the automobile had overtaken the streets of Europe.