Cars around the world
France, Germany, Italy, the USA, Japan and beyond.
The motor industry grew from the petrol engine, developed in the 1860s and 1870s mainly in France and Germany. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry
The car began in Europe, but the United States led the world industry for the first half of the 20th century, thanks to mass production. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry
France
In 1925 Citroën made 40% of all French cars. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
Daimler’s French licensees, René Panhard and Émile Levassor, made designs in 1891–94 that were true cars rather than carriages with engines added. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile
Germany
Ferdinand Porsche and his son Ferry drew up the first design of the Volkswagen in 1934. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Ferdinand Porsche The Volkswagen broke the usual pattern, with an air-cooled four-cylinder engine at the back. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
Rebuilt after the Second World War, the Volkswagen works at Wolfsburg was making half of West Germany’s motor vehicles in a little over ten years. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
The first Porsche sports car came out in 1950. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Ferdinand Porsche
Italy
Fiat, founded in 1899, came to dominate Italian car production, though it had no mass market until the 1950s. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
Before the Second World War, Italian makers were known for finely engineered sports and racing cars. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
The United States
Ransom E. Olds made the first big bid for the mass market with the curved-dash Oldsmobile of 1901. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry
During the Second World War, American carmakers built 2,600,000 military trucks and 660,000 jeeps. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
American cars of the 1950s were big, powerful and showy, with lots of chrome and huge tail fins. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
The Ford Mustang arrived in 1964 and soon became an American icon. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Ford Motor Company
Japan, South Korea and China
From almost nothing in 1950, Japan took 30 years to become the world’s leading car producer. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe By the 1980s Japanese carmakers were models for others, especially for their “just-in-time” delivery of parts. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
South Korea’s car industry grew from a small one into a big world player in 20 years from the 1970s. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
In the 35 years after the Second World War, world motor vehicle output grew almost tenfold. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
In the early 21st century China became the leading maker of cars. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Automotive industry, growth in Europe
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