Automobiles are the principal means of transportation in many developed countries. They have revolutionized society, changing the way we live and work. They influence everything from urban planning to police, fire and utility services to personal uses such as vacation travel, dining, and shopping. They also are the principal means of transporting heavy goods and equipment for businesses such as construction, manufacturing, mining and agriculture. They have led to the development of the industrial economy and the use of mass production techniques that are now used in every industry.
The modern automobile is a complex technical system combining thousands of subsystems with specific design functions. It is powered by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel such as gasoline. The arrangement, choice and size of the components vary depending on how the automobile is designed to be used. For example, a car built for local driving may be designed to achieve good gas mileage and be easy to drive at low speeds, while a sports or racecar is intended to be a fast and comfortable vehicle for long distances.
Among the most significant factors in automobile design is cost. A single car can require a large sum of money, and it is important that the automobile be affordable to the widest range of buyers. For this reason, it is common for different models of an automobile to share many mechanical parts. This was the strategy introduced by Alfred P. Sloan of General Motors in the 1920s, and it continues today.
Many other features must be balanced in an automobile’s design, such as comfort, safety, fuel economy and handling. For example, a suspension system that allows the front wheels to maintain contact with the road is essential to a car’s stability and steering. It is also necessary that the automobile be able to drive in a variety of weather conditions and on varying types of roads.
The most recent automobile designs feature many advanced features that make them safer and easier to operate. For example, most new cars have electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring systems to help prevent accidents. Other features, such as blind-spot monitoring systems and lane departure warning and keep assist, are becoming more popular because of their added safety benefits and lower cost.