Automobiles (also called motor cars) are wheeled passenger vehicles that use their own internal combustion engine to propel them forward. They are designed to run primarily on roads and usually have seating for one to seven passengers. The automobile was among a cluster of major technologies that transformed modern life in the first half of the twentieth century, and it remains one of the most significant and influential inventions in human history.

The automobile was invented and perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by such men as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nikolaus Otto. In the United States, Henry Ford innovated large-scale production techniques that made cars affordable to middle-class families. By the 1920s, General Motors and Ford were producing millions of cars a year.

A car can be a convenient way to get around, but it comes with drawbacks. It is expensive to own and maintain, and it releases greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. A car may also be dangerous to its occupants if it is involved in a crash or if it is driven recklessly.

Special automobiles are designed for specific purposes, such as fire engines and ambulances. They are used at construction sites and at ports, as well as by law enforcement. Other automobiles include recreational vehicles such as RVs, and utility vehicles such as dump trucks and fork-lifts. Some automobiles are electric and can be charged at home or at a charging station.