Automobile is also known as automotive, auto, motor car or car. It is the four wheeled vehicle which is designed primarily for passenger transportation. It is propelled by an internal combustion engine using volatile fuels or gasoline such as petrol and diesel. Several attempts have been made to design and construct a practically operative automobile since 17th century.
The modern automobile is a complex technical system which employs subsystems with specific design functions. Some of the modern systems have thousands of component parts that have evolved through trial and error of older technology or new technology such as electronic computers, high strength plastics and alloys of steel and non-ferrous metals. Some of the subsystems have even been invented as a result of factors like air pollution, safety legislation and foreign competition.
Motor car is now used as primary means of transportation by family. To profit from the proprietary technological advances, manufactures new designs regularly. There are millions of new units built every year worldwide by the manufactures to split the market into smaller segments that remain profitable. Newer technical development is considered the key to success in the competitions by the manufactures. Researcher and automobile development engineers are employed by the manufacturers as well as suppliers to improve the body of the vehicle, chassis, engine, control systems, safety systems and emission control systems.
The economic benefits in the automobile industry are from the outstanding technical advancements that are introduced by the technicians and engineers every year. Vehicle design is based on the intention of usage: For example:
- The cars that are used off roads should be durable with simple systems and high resistance to serve the overloads and operating conditions.
- The automobiles intended for high speed focus on the passenger comfort and safety, high engine performance and optimized high speed handling and vehicle stability.
Vehicle stability depends on the distribution of weight between the front and rear wheels, height of the centre of gravity, suspension characteristics and wheels used for propulsion. Weight distribution depends on the location and size of engine. Automobiles play an indescribable role in the social, economic and industrial growth of any country.
Advantages and disadvantages of automobiles
The business of production and sale of self powered vehicles has enabled the consumers to easy commute long distance travel to work, shopping and entertainment. The automobile industries have encouraged the development of extensive road system and helped the growth of suburbs and shopping centers in major cities and also have played a key role in the growth of ancillary industries such as oil and travel businesses. Automobile industry is one of the largest purchasers of many industrial products like steel and rubber. The industry has provided huge number of employment opportunities which has resulted in the economic growth of the countries worldwide.
Automobiles have given freedom of movement but have also encouraged sprawl – straggling, low density urban development. Sprawl result in degrading the landscapes and produce traffic congestions which tends to immobilize the automobiles in turn. The dependence of petroleum used in the automobiles imposes strong forces on global politics. Automobiles are also one of the main sources of air pollution from the manufacture and operation of automobiles which contributes to crop damage, acid rain, destruction of ozone layer, and lung diseases.