The "Big Three" U.S. market share has declined from 70% in 1998 to 53% in 2008. They have lost market share to imports and "transplants" (cars made in U.S. factories owned by foreign makers).
A 2003 General Motors concept car on display at the Test Track attraction at Disney World's Epcot.
The future of the car is a controversial topic, with some advocates arguing that the car has no future, and others that the car will in the future supplant most other forms of transport.
The main trend at the beginning of the 21st century is an increase in the number of cars in Asia.
Although self-powered vehicles were demonstrated as early as 1769, it was not until 1885 that the history of the automobile truly began. Automotive history is generally divided into a number of eras based on the major design and technology shifts seen over the last century. Although the exact boundaries of each era can be hazy, scholarship has defined them as follows:
Car classification is a somewhat subjective subject, as many vehicles fall between classes or even outside all of them. Not all car types are sold in all countries and names differ in some cases between British and American English. The following are commonly used classifications within the Wikipedia. Where applicable, the relevant EuroNCAP classifications are shown.
1885-built Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first car to go into production with an internal combustion engine
A 2003 General Motors concept car on display at the Test Track attraction at Disney World's Epcot.
