Automobiles are vehicles that are used for transporting passengers or goods. It uses an internal combustion engine fueled by a volatile fuel like petrol, diesel, CNG and now also by electric power for propulsion. It is one of the most common and useful mode of modern transportation. Various types of automobiles are available in the market that suit different needs of people. Some examples include cars, hatchbacks, sedans, sports cars and trucks. An automobile is a complex piece of machinery that requires proper maintenance. The maintenance is a vital part of the vehicle as it helps in increasing its life and performance.
The history of the automobile can be traced back to a few hundred years. In the late 1800s, Karl Benz of Germany developed the first gasoline powered car. It was a three wheeled vehicle that had an Otto Cycle petrol (an internal combustion) engine. During the same time, Gottlieb Daimler of Germany developed a similar two-wheeled vehicle with a gas powered engine.
In 1883, Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and Leon Malandin of France installed an internal combustion engine fueled by city gas on a wagon. However, the wagon broke apart during its first test run. Nevertheless, the pair had patented the first four-stroke, liquid-fueled motor vehicle that used an internal combustion engine.
The automotive industry has seen many significant developments in its history. Ransom Eli Olds debuted the assembly line production system for automobiles in 1902. Henry Ford expanded the concept of mass-production in the early 1910s. Today, there are hundreds of manufacturers worldwide that produce automobiles. Many of them have innovated the automobile by developing new models with improved technology. Some of the innovations include the electric self-starter and electric brakes, pistonless rotary engines (such as Mazda’s Wankel engine) and independent suspension.
