Motoring View

Car News Today there are numerous car manufacturers spread across the globe, producing thousands of different makes and models of cars. Ironically, the three nations with the largest presence in the global automobile market are China, the United States of America and Japan, and none had no part in the invention of the automobile.

Car News The first automobile was built in It was a steam powered vehicle built by French inventor, Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot. In 1807, another French inventor, Francois Isaac de Rivaz designed the first internal combustion engine. Fuelled by hydrogen and equipped with an electric ignition, the engine was fitted to a rudimentary vehicle chassis, thus creating the first internal combustion powered car.

Car News It wasn't until 1886 that the first gasoline powered automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen was invented by Karl Friedrich Benz. A German engine designer and automobile engineer, Karl Benz is credited with being the inventor of the first gasoline internal combustion engine. Together with financier and future wife, Bertha Benz, Karl Benz helped found the company that today manufacturers the iconic Mercedes-Benz brand of luxury cars.

Car News Today there are 30 major automobile manufacturers producing cars in countries around the world. In order of rank by number of vehicles sold in 2013, they are: Toyota, GM, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Honda, Suzuki, PSA, Renault, BMW, SAIC, Daimler AG, Mazda, Dongfeng Motor, Mitsubishi, Changan, Tata, Geely, BAIC, Fuji, Great Wall, FAW, Mahindra, Brilliance, Isuzu, JAC, BYD and AvtoVAZ. The number of automobiles produced worldwide in 2013 by these companies was 87,300,115, of which China produced 25%.

Car News After World War Two, the USA was the major automobile manufacturer on the planet, producing more than 50% of all passenger and utility vehicles. As Europe and Japan recovered from the devastation caused by the war, manufacturing increased and automobile production outside the USA began to chip away at USA vehicle production. During the 50s through 70s the USA focused on large, powerful cars, while Japanese and European manufactures produced small, fuel efficient cars and trucks to fill domestic demand.

Car News The fuel shortages of the post war era in the recovering economies of Europe and Japan necessitated production of smaller, light weight, fuel efficient automobiles. With the rising oil prices seen in the 70s, foreign car manufacturers were well placed to introduce makes and models of cars to the USA market that were less costly to operate. Imports drastically reduced US automobile manufacturers' share of the domestic market and further ate away at USA vehicle export numbers. The slowness of American automobile manufacturers to react to the shift in consumer demand brought on by high fuel costs gave foreign manufacturers a foothold in the USA that has been built upon ever since.

Car News The fuel shortages of the post war era in the recovering economies of Europe and Japan necessitated production of smaller, light weight, fuel efficient automobiles. With the rising oil prices seen in the 70s, foreign car manufacturers were well placed to introduce makes and models of cars to the USA market that were less costly to operate. Imports drastically reduced US automobile manufacturers' share of the domestic market and further ate away at USA vehicle export numbers. The slowness of American automobile manufacturers to react to the shift in consumer demand brought on by high fuel costs gave foreign manufacturers a foothold in the USA that has been built upon ever since.

Car News In the 80s US automobile manufacturers again missed a market shift that cause further erosion of their domestic market share. This time the fault was in design. Foreign automotive designs, still focused on fuel efficiency, became more aerodynamic, producing sleeker, more esthetic vehicles. US automobile manufacturers continued producing heavier, boxy looking vehicles well into the 80s. Sales of US built cars dropped off drastically as a result. Japanese and European built cars became the preferred choice for affordability, while high end German built cars captured a larger share of the USA luxury car market. Most of the US car manufacturers would have gone out of business during this period if not for federal government assistance.

Car News Through the late 80s and throughout the 90s a shift in USA automobile manufacturers' designs took place to address the shortcomings of domestic auto brands. Domestic market share increased, but export markets that were lost proved difficult to recover. However, a solution was at hand. Although USA car manufacturers taking over competing companies had been a business strategy ever since the industries early days, the mid to late 80s and 90s saw an increase in US companies merging with, buying into or taking over foreign car manufacturers. Already deeply in debt, many analysts saw this new business strategy as being ill advised. The analysts were proven wrong in the case of General Motors and Ford. Chrysler's fortunes were up and down until finally the company merged with Fiat to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Car News Chinese automobiles have yet to make any inroads into the North American market but are growing in market share on every other continent. Facing the same emissions and vehicle safety hurdles all automobile exporters faced when trying to secure a foothold in the USA, Chinese vehicle brands may one day be available in the USA. Updates on new car releases, future vehicles, concept cars, auto shows and recent auto industry news. Visit

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