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The first true patented automobile is introduced to the public by Mercedes-Benz, with a 35- horse power engine. The car wieghed only 742 pounds, and got to go 53 miles per hour. By 1909, Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft was producing around a thousand Mercedes designed by Wilhelm Maybach.
(History.com, Foner 1991) -
The second production car, the Oldsmobile, is introduced. The oldsmobile has only 3 horse power and one cylinder, but was $650 at the time, and the facotry was able to produce over 5,000 units a year.
(History.com, Foner 1991) -
The Ford Model N, a $600 4 cylinder car is introduced to the public. This was one of the firsy affordable cars, with enough cylinders to realisticly drive it.
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William Durant and Charles Mott, both with backgrounds in the automobile/carrage bussiness found General Motors in Flint, Michigan. Over one year, GM had aquired Pontiac, Chevrolete, Buik, Oakland, Owosso, and more. GM also biult the very first GMC truck. (Wikipedia)
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During this timespan, the Eurpean automotive market grew signifigantly. French firms such as Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault brought much needed attention to the market. Later British firms gained ground, and the over-seas market was born.
(Rae, Brittanica) -
By the early 1920's several new features that come standard in all cars today were introcued. Feautures like a rear-view mirror, electric ignition start, sower steering, and much more was being found in more cars.
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Aldolf Hilter assigns Ferdinand Porsche to create Volkswagon, or "The People's Car." Porsche creates a small car, known as the VW tyoe 1, now the Bug/Beetle. The Type one became a hit throughout Nazi Germany.
Wikipedia -
Around the world, car production was increased to meet the needs of World War II. Military spending during the war grew to over $29 billion on cars- that's more than $450 billion today. The US then produced 75% of the world's cars. After the war, the car market dropped signifigantly, leaving a surplus of automobiles, parts, and oil.
History -
A new ear of cars starts- the Post-War Era. This time of cars introduced new vehicles with sleeker designs, more powerful engines, and more room. Many inovations came to be, raising car sales even more.
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Between 1966, and 1975, several Federal measures were in effect to improve cars. First, in 1966, important safety laws and organizations took effect. The Act created the National Highway Safety Bureau (now National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), along with laws to improve the interior safety of the automobile. From 1970 to 1975, 3 energy /oil consumption and emmision acts took place. New compact cars were indtroduced, like the Volkswagon Bug and many
Japanese cars.
History & Wikipedia -
The Modern Era of Cars starts. This era includes cars most seen on roads today. More practicle and cheaper cars could be produced, and the industry rose once again.
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A new, and first, modern hybrid is introduced under the Saturn name as the EV1. The EV was a customer favorite, but shut down in 1999-2003 due to gas company bribes. The EV1 inspired large companies such as Toyota to produce flagship hybrids, but were all recalled.
(Wikipedia, "Who Killed the Electric Car?") -
The Tesla Model S, a simple yet powerful electric car is introduced. The Tesla will change the electric car industry, and even the entire car industry eventually. The Tesla was a new take on the controversial electric car market.
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Google, along with several car companies and universities creat self-driving car programs to get autonomous cars on the road. Many tests have been conducted, but malfunctions occur. We expect to see autonomous cars in 2020 or sooner.
