True car lovers always want to learn new things about cars. In addition, cars represent the simplest, most affordable and most comfortable means of transport for everyday use, everywhere in the world. They are historically significant, because they have contributed to the economic development. The automotive industry is constantly progressing, and every day we are exposed to a large amount of information that testify to this progress. But, there are some facts that are considered to be extremely interesting and that every car enthusiast should know. We’ve collected a few interesting facts about cars, which is also a good way to refresh your knowledge of the automotive industry!
- The first Japanese car that appeared on the American market was the Honda Accord, produced in November 1982.
- The Chevrolet Impala is one of the first cars that broke down the sales record, selling over a million units in 1965.
- The first cars in the world had a hand lever instead of a steering wheel.
- The first Porsche 911 was introduced in 1964 and had 130 horse power.
- It takes only 40 milliseconds to fully inflate the air bag after a crash.
- Ferrari produces 14 cars per day.
- The largest traffic collapse took place between Paris and Lyon on the French motorway in 1980.
- The car brand Tata Motors broke the world record in the production of the world’s cheapest car – the Tata Nano.
- The first windshield wipers were invented by a woman.
- The first company (car manufacturer) offered for sale was Benz in 1887.
- The first working self-propelled vehicle for human travel was designed and constructed by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769. The car had three wheels, a steam-powered engine and speed of 6 km/h.
- Two years after the first self-propelled car, Nicola Cugnot designed another steam-driven vehicle. The car has functioned very well, until one day a car crashed into a wall, which was recorded as the first car accident ever.
- In the late 18th century, Isaac de Rivaz successfully designed several steam powered automobiles. Then in 1807 he made an internal combustion engine, using hydrogen and oxygen to create power. Then, using this engine he built a car.
- The first practical four-stroke engine was constructed by the German company Otto and Langen. Nikolaus Otto worked a grocery store, and then one day he read about a two-stroke internal combustion engine which is driven by gas. Then in 1863 he established his own workshop in which 13 years later, he made the first four-stroke engine. Later, the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler developed a practical four-stroke engine as is used today in various models of cars.