Automobiles are vehicles powered by internal combustion of gasoline, diesel, kerosene or some other fuel, usually ignited by an electric spark inside the engine. The resulting exhaust pushes the piston down in the engine, and it drives the wheels to move the car. They are generally driven on highways or city streets. Automobiles are used for personal transportation or to haul goods and equipment. They have become one of the most important means of transport in modern society. The automobile has revolutionized transportation, creating new jobs in the automotive industry and ancillary industries such as steel and petroleum. It has also caused harm to the environment, as automobile exhaust contributes to air pollution.

The automobile has made it possible for people to live in locations that are distant from each other, opening up new work possibilities and social relationships. It has also contributed to the rise of leisure activities, such as travel and tourism. However, it has also created new problems, such as traffic congestion and road accidents. It has also required the creation of laws to govern the use of the automobile and its components, as well as the development of services such as highways and restaurants.

As time passes, many automobile manufacturers have focused on technical developments to maintain their competitive edge and remain relevant in the marketplace. New engineering and technology are employed to improve the automobile’s body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, control systems, safety systems, and emission-control systems. The introduction of mass production techniques by Henry Ford in the 1920s allowed automakers to offer hundreds of different models of automobile to meet consumer needs and tastes.