Automobiles are self-propelled motor vehicles that are used for passenger and goods transportation. They are also popular as fire engines and ambulances. They are fueled with gasoline or diesel.

They are considered to be one of the most universal modern technologies. They are highly complex technical systems that utilize thousands of component parts. They have become a vital part of modern society.

These vehicles have evolved over the years to be safer and more efficient. New designs are introduced more often, allowing manufacturers to split the market into smaller segments.

Since the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1885, the automobile has become a major industrial industry. Automobiles are the most commonly used form of transport in the world. A passenger car is the most common type of car, with 70 million built annually. Depending on the purpose, it may have four or eight wheels.

The development of automobiles is closely tied to scientific breakthroughs. These include the invention of the internal combustion engine, the design of the first three-wheeled vehicle, and the invention of the electric spark-ignition engine.

As a result of technological advances and increased demand, the number of automobiles sold grew steadily throughout the years. By the early 1920s, gasoline-powered vehicles had taken over the streets of Europe. In the United States, the Model T made its debut, enabling a middle-class family to own a vehicle.

The introduction of mass production made auto manufacturers more competitive. As more people bought automobiles, the price of each car began to fall. The “Big Three” manufacturers, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, became the dominant automakers.