Anything Motor Vehicle Related - Automotive

Automotive literally means to move by itself or to self-propel. However, this word often refers to anything that is related to motor vehicles. It is also referred to as “auto” for short. However, auto may also mean an automobile or a motor car. Automobiles are any vehicle that has wheels and operated by a machine. It is often used to transport people and goods from one place to another. The automotive industry has always been a lucrative business dominated by Japan and the United States.

 Automotive involves the mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software elements applied to designing, manufacturing and operating different forms of automobiles, including motorcycles, buses and trucks. These factors contribute to the overall performance of vehicles. There are several people involved in the automotive industry aside from sales. These include people who work to assess the different crash scenarios, emissions, vehicle dynamics (handling, steering, braking, traction, etc.), noise, vibration, acceleration, corrosion, drivability, and cost, among many others. These are important for automotive engineers who supervise the overall operations, assembly and the final automotive products.

Automobiles that are the result or end product, as defined, are motor cars or vehicles used for transportation of passengers and goods. These may also refer to other vehicles other than cars including trucks, motorcycles, buses, and much more. “Automobile” comes from the French and Greek terms “auto” meaning “self” and “mobilis” which means “moving.” This refers to any vehicle that can move or run by itself without the aid of an animal or another vehicle. Its origin is still debatable but it can be traced back to the 18^th century when inventors first tried to run vehicles with machines.

From the 18^th century to the invention of the first modern automobile by a German engineer named Karl Benz, the automotive industry has skyrocketed to new heights. This is especially true nowadays, but the dominating country for car production and sales is Japan. Toyota Motor Corporation is the leading vehicle manufacturer with markets on a global scale. The United States follows with General Motors Corporation, which manufactures top car models such as the Buick, Cadillac, and Chevrolet, among many others.