Automobiles are a convenient mode of transportation that gives you the freedom to go where you want whenever you want without having to worry about missing the bus or hailing a taxi. But with all the benefits that come with owning a car, there are also some disadvantages of having one, like pollution and automobile accidents.
An automobile is a motorized vehicle that travels on land and seats one to eight passengers. It is usually four-wheeled and propelled by an internal-combustion engine powered by a volatile fuel. The word comes from the Latin auto- (self) and French mobile (moving).
Modern automobiles are complex technical systems consisting of thousands of subsystems with specific design functions. These include the body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, control systems and safety systems.
Different types of automobiles are available in the market based on their intended purpose. There are passenger vehicles – cars, jeeps, mini vans etc, commercial vehicles – trucks, tempos, containers, tractor trailers and multi-axle buses and special purpose vehicles – ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles etc. The number of wheels and the motor type are also considered when classifying automobiles.
Various fuels are used to power automobiles, most commonly petrol or diesel, although some are designed to run on a variety of fuels such as natural gas (CNG), electricity or hydrogen. In addition, the automobile industry is undergoing new technological developments such as electronic computers and high-strength alloys of steel and nonferrous metals.