A car, also known as an automobile, is a wheeled motor vehicle designed for road use. Typically, a car seats one to eight passengers, has four wheels, and serves to transport people. It is not primarily intended for cargo transport. Cars are a ubiquitous form of transportation, with approximately one billion currently in use across the globe.
In 1900, Daimler died and later that year, Maybach designed an engine named Daimler-Mercedes.
In 1901, Ransom Olds started large-scale, production-line manufacturing of affordable cars at his Oldsmobile factory in Lansing, Michigan.
In 1901, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, an American car, was introduced and is widely considered one of the first mass-produced cars.
In 1902, Studebaker, a wagon and coach manufacturer, started sales of electric vehicles.
In 1902, a new DMG car was produced and named Mercedes, after the Maybach engine that generated 35 hp.
In 1904, Studebaker started sales of petrol vehicles.
In 1908, the Ford Model T, an American car, was introduced and is widely considered one of the first mass-affordable cars.
In 1910, Charles Kettering developed electric ignition for the Cadillac Motor Company.
In 1911, Charles Kettering developed the electric self-starter for the Cadillac Motor Company.
In 1911, Ford France and Ford Britain were founded, marking the international expansion of Ford's automotive business.
In 1911, Henry Ford and others successfully challenged and overturned George Selden's car engine patent in the United States.
Beginning in 1913, Henry Ford expanded on the assembly line concept with the world's first moving assembly line for cars at the Highland Park Ford Plant.
In 1913, Ford's cars came off the line in 15-minute intervals, increasing productivity eightfold due to the moving assembly line.
In 1914, an assembly line worker could buy a Model T with four months' pay, demonstrating its affordability.
In 1920, there were approximately two hundred American car makers in existence, illustrating a fragmented industry landscape.
In 1921, Citroën was the first native European manufacturer to adopt the production line method for car manufacturing.
In 1922, Isuzu partnered with Wolseley and built the Wolseley A-9, illustrating early collaborations between European and Japanese automakers.
Beginning in 1923, Morris began following Ford's practice of vertical integration, buying various automotive component suppliers.
In 1923, Ford Denmark was founded, further expanding Ford's international presence.
In 1924, Morris set up its production line at Cowley and soon outsold Ford.
In 1925, Ford Germany was founded, solidifying Ford's presence in Europe.
In 1925, Morris had 41 percent of total British car production, establishing its dominance in the market.
In 1926, fast-drying Duco lacquer was developed, resolving a bottleneck in car production caused by the need for quick-drying paint.
By 1930, 250 car companies that did not adopt assembly lines disappeared, highlighting the impact of mass production techniques.
By 1930, only 43 of the approximately two hundred American car makers from 1920 survived, indicating industry consolidation.
By 1940, with the onset of the Great Depression, only 17 of the American car makers from 1930 were left, showing further industry contraction.
In the US, some car-sharing services experienced double-digit growth in revenue between 2006 and 2007.
In the US, some car-sharing services experienced double-digit growth in membership between 2006 and 2007.
In 2017, production of petrol-fueled cars peaked, marking a potential turning point in automotive industry trends.
In 2018, Moscow, Istanbul, Bogotá, Mexico City, and São Paulo were the world's most congested cities according to INRIX.
As of 2019, cars consume almost a quarter of world oil production.
In 2019, cars typically weighed between 1 and 3 tonnes due to added features and safety measures.
In 2020, the global automotive industry manufactured 56 million cars, a decrease from 67 million the previous year, with China leading production.
In July 2021, the European Commission introduced the "Fit for 55" legislation package, which outlines directives for the automotive sector's future, including a mandate for zero-emission new cars by 2035.
Out of all cars sold in 2021, nine percent were electric, and by the end of that year there were more than 16 million electric cars on the world's roads.
In 2022, cars and vans caused 10% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
As of 2023, electric cars produce about half the emissions over their lifetime as diesel and petrol cars.
Around 2025, electric cars are predicted to cost less to buy than petrol-driven cars, influencing climate change mitigation.
Many countries plan to stop selling fossil cars altogether between 2025 and 2050.
By 2035, according to the "Fit for 55" legislation package introduced by the European Commission, all newly sold cars in the European market must be zero-emissions vehicles.
Many countries plan to stop selling fossil cars altogether between 2025 and 2050.