Automobiles and Automobile Cultures

1. Automobiles and Automobile Cultures 1-78

2. I. The Definition of Automobiles 1. An automobile, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor. Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile

3. 2. A self-propelled passenger vehicle that usually has four wheels and an internal-combustion engine, used for land transport. Also called motorcar. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/automobile

4. An automobile vehicle or mechanism; esp., a self-propelled vehicle suitable for use on a street or roadway. Automobiles are usually propelled by internal combustion engines (using volatile inflammable liquids, as gasoline or petrol, alcohol, naphtha, etc.), steam engines, or electric motors. The power of the driving motor varies from about 4 to 50 H. P. for ordinary vehicles, ranging from the run-about to the touring car, up to as high as 200 H. P. for specially built racing cars. Automobiles are also commonly, and generally in British usage, called motor cars. http://www.brainyquote.com/words/au/automobile133789.html

6. Vehicles that you ride in usually reflect two things; the direction you are heading in life, and your body. (the thing you travel or "ride" through life in) This might vary if you are a mechanic or designer of vehicles. Unusually over exposure to a specific vehicle type may easily change the meaning.

7. The condition of the vehicle might give you an idea of your health. Driving an old beat up car down a muddy road on a stormy night would be considered a pretty bad dream! However flying a Lear jet through blue skies with a song in your heart and the wind at your tail would be a rather good dream. 5

8. II. Car classificationThe cars are classified by the standard bodies like EuroNCap in • Superminis, Audi A2,BMW Mini, Smart, Citroën C2, C3 ( below 3.6m ) 4-14

9. Familiy cars. • --Small: Alfa Romeo 147, Audi A3, Citroën Xsara 1.4i, Daewoo Lanos 1.4 SE • --Large: Audi A4, Citroën C5, Peugeot 406, Renault Laguna, Volkswagen (From 3.6m to 4.8m) 5

10. Executive cars: Audi A6 , Peugeot 607, Vauxhall/Opel Omega, Volvo S70 and S80. Roadsters: Audi TT Roadster, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 . Small and large MPVs (Multiple Purpose Vehicle): Small: Chrysler PT Cruiser, Citroën Picasso, Fiat Multipla, Ford Focus C-MAX, Ford Fusion Large: Chrysler Voyager, Hyundai Trajet, KIA Carnival/Sedona, Mitsubishi Space Wagon, Nissan Serena, Peugeot 806 and 807.

13. Chrysler PT Cruiser 11

14. Peugeot 807

15. III. Automobiles/cars come in configurations such as I. Bubble car 11

16. II.Convertible III.Hatchback

17. IV. Sedan 15

18. V.Sports coupé 10

19. VI.Coupé convertible VII.Station wagon or Estate car 15

20. VIII. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) IX. Pickup trucks

21. X. Truck (or lorry)

22. XI. Van and minivan 20

23. Other Classifications • Volkswagen: AOO, AO, A, B, C, D • In China, A00级车（微型车）：A0级车（小型车） A级车（紧凑型车）：B级车（中型车）C级车（高级车） **按照国家规定，排量小于或等于1升，属于微型车；排量大于1升且小于或等于1.6升，属于普通级轿车；排量大于1.6升且小于或等于2.5升，属于中级轿车；排量大于2.5且小于或等于4升，属于中、高级轿车；排量大于4升，属于高级轿车。（http://www.pcauto.com.cn/teach/qczs/qt/0702/426918.html） 3. 美国通用公司将轿车分为i(微型)、小型、Lowmed(中低级)、Interm(中级)、Upp-med(中高级)、Large/Lux(高级/豪华)等6级。

24. 我国国家标准GB3730.1-86《汽车和半挂车的术语和定义车辆类型》和GB9417-89《汽车产品型号编制规则》，曾把轿车分为微型轿车、普通轿车、中级轿车、中高级轿车和高级轿车等5级。后来GB9417-89停止执行，GB3730.1几经修订，现行GB3730.1-2001《汽车和挂车类型的术语和定义》对轿车只划分类别，不划分等级，为的是与国际标准接轨，同时使技术性的术语脱离消费层面的等级划分。目前，中国汽车工业协会的分车型产销量统计基本上是按照GB3730.1-2001分类的。我国国家标准GB3730.1-86《汽车和半挂车的术语和定义车辆类型》和GB9417-89《汽车产品型号编制规则》，曾把轿车分为微型轿车、普通轿车、中级轿车、中高级轿车和高级轿车等5级。后来GB9417-89停止执行，GB3730.1几经修订，现行GB3730.1-2001《汽车和挂车类型的术语和定义》对轿车只划分类别，不划分等级，为的是与国际标准接轨，同时使技术性的术语脱离消费层面的等级划分。目前，中国汽车工业协会的分车型产销量统计基本上是按照GB3730.1-2001分类的。

25. IV. The Importance of Automobiles Automobile is the most important means of personal transportation for many millions of people around the globe. People depend on their cars and trucks to travel to and from work, to run errands, to visit friends, and to take vacations. Companies and government organizations operate commercial fleets of automobiles. 19-38

26. The United States, China, Canada, Japan, Western European countries, and other developed nations have the most automobiles. But even in developing nations, more and more people own cars, and bumper-to-bumper traffic clogs the streets of big cities in many of those countries.

27. The automobile revolutionized the American way of life and would change living patterns in much the same way when it spread to other countries. The automobile helped give people the freedom to live, work, and travel wherever they wanted. The automobile has given many people incredible freedom of movement. It enables them to decide where they want to go and when.

28. The automobile influences where people live and work and how they spend their leisure time. It ended the lonely lives of farm families by placing neighbors, cities, and towns within easy reach. The automobile led to the growth of suburbs, motels, shopping centers, superhighways, theme parks, drive-in restaurants, and drive-through banks.

29. But along with all the glories of the automobile culture came serious problems. Car accidents became a major cause of death and injury throughout the world, exhaust fumes fouled the air, and the roar of city traffic became nerve-racking. Some people yearned for the old days before the automobile, when life seemed simpler, slower, and gentler. But there could be no going back. 25

30. The automobile had become woven into the fabric of modern life. And the auto industry itself had become basic to the economic well-being of developed countries. Today, many developing nations also seek to set up an automotive industry because it generates and supports a wide range of businesses, such as automobile dealerships, garages, and filling stations, and so can stimulate economic growth. 24

31. The development of automobiles has had an enormous effect on people's way of life throughout much of the world. Probably no other invention, discovery, or technological advance has created greater or more rapid changes in society. A Machine that Changes the World 27

32. 1 Impact on society When the first automobiles were produced, only the well-to-do could afford them. Soon, however, prices declined as production increased in response to the growing demand. The lower prices put the automobile within reach of more and more people.

33. Well-off urban residents found car ownership cheaper than keeping a horse and carriage. The growth in car ownership led to the building of more and better roads, which further increased travel. Ford Model T

34. Although cars were first bought mainly by wealthy city folk, it was country people who became the first large-scale group of car owners. During the late 1890's, most people in North America and Europe lived in rural areas and had little contact with people more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) or so away. Many of these people were farmers or residents of small towns that served farmers.

35. In the early 1900's, they became the first mass group of car buyers. Automobiles enabled farmers to sell their goods faster and farther away, and to travel more often and in greater comfort than ever before.

36. Before the development of automobiles, urban workers walked, bicycled, or rode trains or horse-drawn vehicles to their jobs. But as roads improved and car ownership expanded, the freedom provided by automobile ownership enabled more and more people to move to the suburbs. By the mid-1950's, even factories had begun to relocate in the suburbs. 30

37. Wherever people have easy access to automobiles, cars play a major role in social life and the choice of recreational activities. People find it fun to hop in the car and visit friends and relatives, whether the drive takes a few minutes, hours, or days. The automobile helps make it easy to organize picnics, family reunions, and other get-togethers. Trips by automobile to such places as theme parks, national parks, and mountain and seashore resorts are a favorite type of vacation for many people. 25

38. 2 Economic impact Such developed nations as the United States, Japan, Germany, and Italy depend on automotive production to provide jobs for millions of workers. But even in developed nations with little or no automotive production—for example, Norway and New Zealand—the widespread use of cars has become vital to the economy. Filling stations, motels, restaurants, and other businesses that serve automobile travelers are of major importance to the economic well-being of all developed countries and increasingly of developing ones. 30

39. In addition, many developing nations have begun making automotive vehicles or parts to stimulate industry and to provide the vehicles needed for growth. For example, China has promoted broad-based automotive manufacturing, and the Philippines has expanded parts production for export to carmakers in other countries.

40. 3 Problems of safety Each year, motor vehicle accidents kill an estimated 300,000 people throughout the world. A high percentage of those killed in automobile accidents are young people. In fact, in the United States, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people from 5 to 32 years old. Young people also have the highest accident rate of all drivers.

41. Almost every accident results from one or more of these three factors: the driver, the car, and the road. The same three factors contribute to accident prevention.

42. Drivers are the chief factor in vehicle safety because they are responsible for about two-thirds of all accidents. They cause accidents by speeding, driving in the wrong lane, making improper turns, and breaking other rules of safe driving. Many traffic deaths involve drunken drivers. Alcohol slows a driver's reflexes, reduces alertness and concentration, impairs vision, and clouds judgment. The use of illegal drugs by drivers is also a serious safety problem.

43. The automobile itself has become safer over the years because of advances in its design and manufacture. Automakers must meet strict government standards designed to prevent accidents and to protect drivers and passengers. The standards to prevent accidents involve the installation of government-specified lights, reflectors, brakes, tires, windows, windshield wipers and defrosters, and dashboard controls. 36

44. Standards to protect car occupants include the installation of seat belts or air bags, head restraints, and bumper systems. Seat belts—when used—are probably the main safety equipment. A driver must not assume that the engine, brakes, lights, and steering system always operate properly. All equipment should be tested frequently.

45. Modern road building techniques have increasingly lowered the risk of automobile accidents. To build safe roads, highway engineers consider such factors as road foundations and surfaces, lighting, guardrails, and grading. They carefully plan bypasses, intersections, on-and-off ramps, traffic signals, and the number of lanes. 35

46. 4 Environmental impact As automobiles burn gasoline, they release hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides into the air and so pollute it. Air pollution endangers people's health and damages crops and livestock. Automobiles produce terrible pollution in many of the world's big cities. Especially severe pollution occurs in such cities as Los Angeles, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Madrid, where the streets and highways are choked with traffic.

47. In many countries, steps have been taken to control air pollution caused by automobiles as well as by other sources. Government agencies enforce emission standards that limit the amount of pollution new automobiles may produce. The agency that enforces these regulations in the United States is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 40

48. Automakers have made great progress in reducing the emission of major pollutants by meeting the increasingly strict environmental standards. From the 1960's to the 1990's, the emission of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by American-built cars was reduced more than 95 percent and nitrogen oxides more than 90 percent.

49. The reduction was achieved largely with the installation of a catalytic converter in the exhaust system of cars. The device changes carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water vapor. In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed new rules calling for even tougher limits on the emission of pollutants.

50. V. Cars of Yesterday The first cars. During the late 1700's, the development of steam-powered engines progressed rapidly in Europe. Inventors dreamed of a "horseless carriage"—and steam seemed the obvious power source. 43