Autos are vehicles that are self-propelled and designed to carry passengers, goods, and other equipment. Automobiles come in many forms and sizes and are used by millions of people every day. They are the most common mode of transportation in modern society. There are thousands of different components that make up an automobile. These include engines, tires, wheels, and a chassis. It is important to know the definition of an automobile, however, since it can vary depending on the type of vehicle you are driving.
An automobile is a self-propelled, four-wheeled, and enclosed vehicle that can transport a driver and up to four passengers. It is typically a gasoline powered vehicle, though diesel cars are also available. Most vehicles are designed for light and heavy traffic and have seats for the driver and passengers.
Automobiles have been around for a long time, and were the answer to a 19th-century dream of creating a self-propelling carriage. During the mid-1800s, Edward Butler built a three-wheeler that employed a horizontal single-cylinder gasoline engine. The machine had a drive chain that connected the rear wheel to a steering wheel on the front. This was one of the first examples of a commercially produced motorcycle.
The first production motorbike in the United States was created in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1898. The Holley Motorette, a small 4-wheel runabout, was manufactured by Holley Motor Co. and sold for $650. On the inside, the vehicle had a shiny metal trim and a bright red dashboard. A black brake pedal and a rubber multi-hole mat floor protected the rider’s feet.
In Europe, the term “automobile” is often used interchangeably with “motorcycle,” though the definition is very complicated. Motorcycles can be two-wheeled or four-wheeled, and can be a passenger or cargo vehicle. However, they are not classified as an automobile because they do not meet car-like characteristics.
Cars were the dominant form of transport in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. By the 1920s, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler became the “Big Three” auto manufacturers. Their sales were boosted by government subsidies and low interest rates. As a result, the costs of an automobile were lower and more families could afford them.
Since then, the numbers of automobiles have slowly improved. Sales reached a record 1.43 million vehicles in 2012. This was thanks in large part to the Asian economic crisis, which contributed to a massive pent-up demand for vehicles. Despite this, the number of new cars and trucks sold in the United States has declined from an all-time high of 590,000 in 1996 to just 158,000 in 1998.
The European Union imposed stricter regulations on carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from new motorcycles in 2006. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency mandated that motorcycles emit less than 5.0 grams of hydrocarbons per km. For 2006, the limit was 1.4 grams, and in 2010, it was 0.8. In addition, the EU lowered the limit for new motorcycles to 0.3 grams in 2007, 0.1 gram in 2008, and 0.1 gram in 2010.
If you are unsure about the definition of an automobile, it’s a good idea to ask someone at your local auto dealership. You can also check out the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, which has sent letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to clarify the legal definition of an automobile.