Automobiles are a vital part of the modern world. In some cases, they even act as a lifeline for people in emergency situations. They are used for both passenger and cargo transport. Automobile Engineering is the branch of Engineering which deals with the manufacturing and technology of these vehicles. It is a good career option for those who love cars and want to be a part of the automotive industry.

In 1870, Siegfried Marcus built the first automobile using a two-stroke internal combustion engine that was fueled by gasoline. A few years later, he built a prototype that featured seats, steering and brakes. However, he did not make a commercial success of it and put it aside for a while.

Karl Benz was the next inventor to produce an automobile, in 1885. Henry Ford came after Benz with innovations that made the automobile affordable for common people. He introduced the idea of mass production, and he developed the model T to give more people access to transportation. He also developed the concept of different makes that shared parts, so people could “move up” as their incomes improved.

Nowadays, there are many different kinds of automobiles. The most popular are passenger cars. These are often used for long distance trips and provide convenience for passengers. Other kinds of automobiles include trucks, buses and motorcycles. The main types of engines are petrol and diesel engines. The engines are usually water-cooled, but some are air-cooled and others use a liquid coolant. The power from the engine is usually transmitted to the front wheels, but some models have a rear-wheel drive.