An automobile, also called a motorcar or car, is a wheeled passenger vehicle that is used for transportation. Automobiles are powered by engines that use gasoline or electric motors. They have a transmission that converts mechanical energy from the engine into controlled power for the wheels of the car. They are also often equipped with a steering system and brakes to control the speed and direction of travel. There are many different kinds of cars, including sports and luxury vehicles. Some are designed to be family-friendly, while others are built for racing or to carry cargo.
OPENS UP THE WORLD: One of the biggest advantages that automobiles provide is the ability to travel long distances with ease. Without the automobile, it would be much harder to visit friends and family, go shopping, or take a vacation. Having a car also allows people to live in different parts of the country or world and still have access to work, leisure activities, and the rest of society.
A GOOD COMMUNICATION TO THE FAMILY: Automobiles allow families to stay together and have quality time. They can take trips to the park, movies, or even just to a restaurant. This allows families to build stronger bonds and create fond memories that last a lifetime.
SAVES TIME: Having a car saves time on daily commutes, running errands, and traveling to appointments or social events. With a car, you are not dependent on the schedules or routes of public transit. This is especially helpful in densely populated areas where traffic jams and limited parking are common.
AUTO INDUSTRY BACKS AROUND 9.6 MILLION AMERICAN JOB POSITIONS: The automotive industry supports jobs in every state and provides a huge economic boost. It includes cutting-edge facilities that assemble millions of cars and trucks each year. It also supports major transportation infrastructure to export completed products across the country and around the world.
DRIVING FORCE: Automobile manufacturing is a major driver of the American economy, supporting a total of 9.6 million American jobs—about 5 percent of all private-sector employment. The industry employs skilled workers in manufacturing, engineering, design, sales, service, and finance. It also supports other industries that supply the industry, such as steel and aluminum, high-strength plastics, and advanced alloys of nickel and nonferrous metals.
Despite its limitations, life without a car is unthinkable for most Americans. A healthy auto industry is vital to a strong U.S. economy, generating more than $800 billion in revenue and creating over 2.7 million jobs. In addition, it is responsible for a large percentage of the nation’s exports. It also supports a wide range of other jobs in the economy—from engineering and design to retail, distribution, finance, and insurance. Across the country, automotive companies invest in our communities through investments in cutting-edge facilities and advanced research. Those investments help to create clean, safe, smart vehicles that redefine personal mobility for the next generation and beyond. This is what we call “making America move.”