Automobile (Tomorrow)

The Automobile is the primary transportation used by the Human Species, and has held this status since the early 20th Century A.D.

History
The early history of the automobile can be divided into a number of eras, based on the prevalent means of propulsion. Later periods were defined by trends in exterior styling, size, and utility preferences.

In 1808 François Isaac de Rivaz designed the first car powered by an internal combustion engine fueled by hydrogen.

In 1870 Siegfried Marcus built the first gasoline powered combustion engine, which he placed on a pushcart, building four progressively sophisticated combustion-engine cars over a 10-to-15-year span that influenced later cars. Marcus created the two-cycle combustion engine. The car's second incarnation in 1880 introduced a four-cycle, gasoline-powered engine, an ingenious carburetor design and magneto ignition. He created an additional two models further refining his design with steering, a clutch and brakes.

The four-stroke petrol (gasoline) internal combustion engine that still constitutes the most prevalent form of modern automotive propulsion was patented by Nikolaus Otto. The similar four-stroke diesel engine was invented by Rudolf Diesel. The hydrogen fuel cell, one of the technologies hailed as a replacement for gasoline as an energy source for cars, was discovered in principle by Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1838. The battery electric car owes its beginnings to Ányos Jedlik, one of the inventors of the electric motor, and Gaston Planté, who invented the lead-acid battery in 1859.

In 1885, Karl Benz developed a petrol or gasoline powered automobile. This is also considered to be the first "production" vehicle as Benz made several other identical copies. The automobile was powered by a single cylinder two stroke engine.

After producing and selling the Model A in 1903, Ford Motor Company's Model T became the first mass produced automobile in 1908, focusing on affordability for the average consumer. By 1927 Ford produced over 15,000,000 Model T automobiles and only then developed the Model A.

At the turn of the 20th century electrically powered automobiles were a popular method of automobile propulsion, but their common use did not last long, and they diminished to a niche market until the turn of the 21st century.

Petrol and Diesel fuel was largely replaced by Electric and Hydrogen fuel by 2075, with few countries still allowing Petrol and Diesel cars to be driven.

List of Current Major Manufacturers

 * Chevrolet: When General Motors became Bankrupt for the second time in 2047, Chevrolet and Holden were the sole surviving companies, having to rebuild their strength and surface in the international market during late 2054.

List of Defunct Major Manufacturers

 * Buick: Buick was a motor company founded in 1903, and later acquired by General Motors in 1908. The division became defunct following GM's bankruptcy.
 * General Motors Truck Company: GMC was a division of General Motors founded in 1911. Towards the end of its life, the company marketed mainly rebadged Chevrolet's. It became defunct when General Motors went bankrupt.