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The History of the Automotive Industry

The Beginnings (end of the 19th century)

• 1886: Carl Benz builds the first practical automobile with an internal combustion engine - the “Benz Patent-Motorwagen”.
• At the same time, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach are also working on motorized vehicles.
• France and Germany are considered the birth countries of the automobile.

Industrialization and Mass Production (early 20th century)

• Henry Ford revolutionizes production with the assembly line (from 1913). The Ford Model T becomes the symbol of the affordable car for the masses.
• Automobile production becomes more efficient and cheaper - and cars become a mass product.

Globalization and Technical Progress (post-war period)

• In Europe, brands such as Citroën, Renault, Fiat, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen emerge.
• In Japan, companies such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda grow.
• Environmental awareness is also slowly beginning to play a role.

Innovation, Design & Diversity (1960s-1990s)

• Emergence of compact cars, sports cars and luxury models.
• Electronics and safety systems (e.g. ABS, airbags) are introduced.
• Brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, Audi and Volvo gain in importance.
• Environmental awareness is also slowly beginning to play a role.

Upheaval Through Digitalization & Electromobility (2000s-today)

• Tesla becomes the pioneer of electromobility.
• Traditional manufacturers (BMW, VW, Mercedes) develop e-cars and plug-in hybrids.
• Digitalization changes vehicles: Infotainment, autonomous driving, connectivity.
• New players from the tech world (e.g. Apple, Google, Chinese brands such as BYD, NIO) are entering the market.

Future Prospects

• Focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, recycling.
• Electromobility, hydrogen drives, autonomous driving.
• Mobility concepts such as car sharing, on-demand services and smart cities are gaining in importance.

Source (2025): ChatGPT - History of the Automotive Industry