Americans love their car. The auto industry is an important economic foundation for our society, regardless of whether it was used as a status symbol or to value its safety and reliability. This book will not only discuss the components of the Personal Auto Policy, but also the history, evolution and impact that the automobile has had on society. We will also talk about the legality of automobile insurance and the rating of automobile drivers. Our discussion will end with tips and tricks to help you navigate the waters of car insurance.
Charles Durye and John Frank were unable to have imagined the industry that would be created when they built their gas-powered automobile in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1896. The horse was the most popular mode of transportation before 1886. As with all great ideas, it would take some time for people to accept the new method of transport. The horse had been used for many years and was loved by his loyal followers.
Ransom E. Olsen, a Detroit pioneer, saw mass production as the key to success. He was mass producing 4,000 cars per year by 1904 using hundreds skilled craftsmen.
Henry Ford finally adapted the moving assembly lines from other industries in 1913 (basically the meat packing industry). Ford demanded that complex engine blocks and other parts be cut to exact dimensions so that they can be interchangeable.
This made it easier to install these parts. This was a huge breakthrough as it eliminated the need to hire skilled artisans. This was crucial as Ford produced 321,000 “tinlizzies” at his Highland Park plant in Michigan. Ford was able to mass produce autos at a low cost, affordable price, which the majority of people could afford. $290 per vehicle. The Model T was now affordable for everyone, it was the first time that the average person could afford one.
The auto was first marketed to farmers, doctors, businessmen, and police before Mr. Ford. These people were more likely to experiment with a new invention that would simplify their lives. These “horseless carriages”, originally purchased by a provider of public transportation, were not the first. The U.S. The U.S. Streetcars and railroads were popular, but they suffered.
The “roaring 20s” saw middle-class America be able to buy an automobile. The auto quickly became a symbol for status, sex appeal and wealth. Many believed that the two most important events in a person’s life were the day they got married and the day they bought their first car.
General Motors Corporation was founded in 1920 under Alfred R. Sloan. It revolutionized the industry by giving consumers choice. The GM Car Division produced a variety of models in different price brackets. There was truly a style for every purpose and purse. GM offered car buyers an easy installment plan called “Drive Now and Pay Later” that made buying a vehicle much easier. GM was able to replace Ford as the market leader in auto sales. This position it maintains today.
The war years saw automakers cease building cars (19422-46), but the American automobile industry was booming by 1950. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, foreign competitors emerged, especially from the Germans and Japanese. These cars were smaller than the heavy, bulky vehicles made by American automakers. The Volkswagen Beetle in West Germany was the first to cause a shockwave. This encouraged Americans to be “small” and encourage them to do so. A second big wave came from Asia, with Toyota Motor Corps and Honda Motor Co. taking market share from the American three.
The auto industry is trying to reinvent the car as we move into the 21st century. The vehicle’s weight will drop from 3,200 to 2,200 pounds to the current average, but that is the goal. The car of the future will also use energy storage to capture and then recycle the energy. Bob Chapman (Chairman of the PNGU Technical Task Force, U.S. Department of Commerce) says that the car of the future will not have internal combustion like we know it.
The style of cars has evolved over the past 100 years. It is becoming more sleek and round. It is likely that the cars will be smaller and more aerodynamic. Vehicles will behave differently. The future car will come with standard equipment such as collision warning, obstacle detection and traffic information devices. Advanced technology will also be standard, allowing drivers to call for help in an emergency. The traditional buttons and knobs will be replaced by voice-activated instrument panels. The “heads up-display”, an aircraft technology, will be used to project information in the driver’s field-of-vision.
Experts predict that automated highways will be in place by 2021. Auto designers are moving away from traditional vehicle designs. Others are considering creating a basic vehicle body that buyers can modify to suit their needs.
