There are eight hundred million automobiles on the road today. These cars consume natural resources. Most vehicles run on gasoline or high-speed diesel, which requires oil to transport them from place to place. This oil must be refined and sent from one place to another. Not only does this impact the environment, it also contributes to global warming. Therefore, it is important to reduce the use of automobiles in our daily lives. But how do we make our automobiles more environmentally friendly?
Change
Consumer technology is driving major changes in the automotive industry, from the way people use the internet to the way they use their cars. There are now five billion internet users, and that number has increased by five hundred and sixty percent since 2010. Ten years ago, automakers would tout the number of cupholders in the cabin, or the increase in off-road capability of family haulers. Today, cars are equipped with everything from hands-free mobile communication to real-time traffic and Wi-Fi mobile hot spots.
Impact
The invention of automobiles changed the way people moved around. Using automobiles to travel to work and school, people could now get around more easily and get to places they had never before imagined. It also helped to open new opportunities and change the landscape of the economy and transportation. The automobile’s development also led to a change in society and brought about changes in roads, regulations, and culture. Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile industry by creating the first mass-produced vehicle in 1903.
Development
There is no end to the development of automobiles. From simple systems for off-road use to complex ones for high-speed use, the technology behind automobiles is almost endless. Scientists can come up with a variety of different designs for the automobiles that will best suit their needs. Detailed histories are provided for each major part of the automobile, as well as their development over the years. Here are some of the major advancements in automobiles:
Safety
Advancements in vehicle technology have resulted in improved safety systems. Autonomous emergency braking systems (AEBs) have seen rapid growth in the past five years, thanks to improvements in sensor technology. Moreover, these systems have been relatively inexpensive to implement in a vehicle. The future of preventive safety technology will see more developments in this direction. For example, infrared cameras and night-time pedestrian detection systems will be included in some new models.
Cost
The American Automobile Association publishes a cost of automobiles index that includes the depreciation of vehicle purchases. This index is based on the difference between the new-vehicle purchase price and the estimated trade-in value five years after purchase. The index includes optional accessories and features, such as automatic transmission, air conditioning, power disc brakes, an AM/FM stereo, driver-side air bags, and anti-lock brakes. The index also includes the cost of insurance, taxes, depreciation, and finance charges.
Models
In car manufacturing, a model is a series of similar cars that share components, underpinnings, styling, and general appearance. Car manufacturers typically create several models within a single series, and then name them with different body variants. If a particular model proves to be popular, a new generation of that car may be created. Models of automobiles are usually trademarked by the manufacturer, and the names may change as the vehicle ages and changes in design.
Manufacturers
The global automotive industry has increased rapidly in recent years. It accounts for a large share of world economic activity and has connections to a number of diverse industries. In 1988, the world automotive industry produced 49 million vehicles, 4.5 percent higher than the previous year and 20 percent higher than in 1983. While most automobile production remains in developed countries or in those that are members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the automotive industry in developing countries has increased at a fast rate and will continue to grow rapidly. Demand for cars will increase fastest in the next decade.