| The automobile industry has had an exciting and | | | | habits and trading in their large gas-guzzlers for |
| exponential growth of the past hundred years. A | | | | more economical and environmentally-friendly |
| century ago, cars were just beginning to enter | | | | vehicles. Manufacturers are developing entirely |
| into mainstream production, and the Henry Ford | | | | new options to power their vehicles, most |
| had yet to introduce the industry standard Model | | | | pertinently hybrid and electric-powered engines. |
| T. Now, many people consider a car to be a | | | | Many people consider a fancy car an integral part |
| necessity, and even own more than one. | | | | of their personal identity. Driving a race-striped |
| Henry Ford is the man that most people | | | | sports car complete with spoiler and spinners |
| associate with the early automobile industry. | | | | definitely strokes the ego. In this far from ideal |
| Although he definitely wasn't the first person to | | | | world where speed limits govern, this "need for |
| build or distribute automobiles, his masterful use of | | | | speed" attitude often results in a police ticket. |
| production-line assembly allow the Model T to | | | | Cars themselves have evolved a lot since the |
| become the car of choice of the middle-class, | | | | original, plain Model T. It's safe to say that there is |
| hard-working American. The car cost | | | | a vehicle to meet every personality. There are |
| approximately four months' wages, and Ford has | | | | commuter cars, trucks, vans, suburbans, and |
| been widely attributed with the quote, "Any | | | | motorcycles. When all of the possible upgrades, |
| customer can have a car painted any color that | | | | add-ons, and paint jobs are considered, it's safe to |
| he wants so long as it is black." | | | | say that there is a vehicle to meet every |
| There's no question that automobiles are common | | | | personality. |
| place around the world today. With over 590 | | | | The automobile has not only left an imprint on our |
| million passenger cars worldwide, there is | | | | own hearts, but also on society as well. Vehicles |
| approximately one car for every eleven people. | | | | are expensive to maintain and insure, and millions |
| However, that ratio is even better in more highly | | | | of dollars are spent building and improving |
| developed countries, where almost every adult | | | | roadways, but the benefits are undeniable. Each |
| owns their own personal car. In fact, over 73 | | | | person with a driver's license has the |
| million cars were produced just last year! | | | | independence of on-demand transportation at |
| Japan leads the world in car production, home to | | | | their convenience. The automobile industry has |
| manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. | | | | left its mark on the economy as well, creating |
| Closely following Japan is the United States, with | | | | jobs for people and helping them get there. It's |
| Ford and Chrysler leading the way. China, | | | | certainly a lot more convenient that walking, riding |
| Germany, and South Korea also making up a | | | | a bicycle, or sharing public transportation. |
| significant portion of production. The "Big Five" | | | | Modern society takes the car industry for |
| countries produce over half of the cars in the | | | | granted. Not all that long ago, cars were a |
| world. | | | | new-age science fiction object that only the rich |
| The high and rising cost of gasoline has forced | | | | could afford. Thanks to the continuing evolution of |
| both automobile owners and producers to take a | | | | the industry, it's safe to say we'll be taking |
| second look at how their vehicles use the | | | | advantage of this convenient method of travel |
| expensive resource. Cars owners are actively | | | | for years to come. |
| looking to burn less gas, by improving their driving | | | | |