Automobiles are vehicles that carry passengers and are usually powered by an internal combustion engine fueled with a volatile fuel. They are used for transportation over land. Automobiles are generally four-wheeled and are primarily designed for passenger transport, though many models are built to carry cargo as well.

The automobile has been a major contributor to urbanization and industrialization. It has also created new businesses and services. The automotive industry is one of the largest industries in the world and is a significant source of jobs. The automobile has also caused problems such as pollution and congestion, and it has led to the development of new laws and regulations that govern traffic and safety.

Inventors such as George Selden, the Duryea brothers, and Karl Benz developed automobiles. The earliest were powered by steam or electric power. They were expensive and limited in range. The first automobiles that were affordable for the average person came out in 1910, when Henry Ford started producing his Model T. Ford’s use of assembly line manufacturing allowed him to make cars inexpensively and quickly.

Today, it is hard to imagine a life without an automobile. Car ownership allows people to get to work, go shopping and visit friends, without relying on other people or public transportation. It also lets people live farther away from their job and gives them the freedom to travel. In addition, it can influence other loans, such as for a home, because it shows that the owner can afford to make regular payments.