The rise in the number of cars worldwide is a testament to the profound impact automobiles have had on human civilization. From their humble beginnings in the late 19th century to the sleek, high-tech vehicles of the 21st century, cars have revolutionized transportation, reshaped economies, and transformed societies.
The story of automobiles began in the late 19th century, with inventors and engineers envisioning a future where human beings could travel effortlessly. In 1885, Karl Benz created the first true automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, marking the birth of the modern car. This revolutionary invention paved the way for the automotive industry’s rapid expansion.
The early 20th century witnessed significant advances in automobile technology and manufacturing processes. Henry Ford, the pioneering American industrialist, introduced assembly line production techniques in 1913, drastically reducing the cost of manufacturing cars. This innovation made cars more affordable for the average person, leading to a surge in car ownership and the establishment of Ford as a global automotive giant.
In the middle of the century, we saw the automotive industry flourish with innovations such as automatic transmissions, power steering, and air conditioning. During this period, iconic car models like the Chevrolet Bel Air, Ford Mustang, and Volkswagen Beetle captured the hearts of consumers worldwide. Cars became symbols of freedom, independence, and status, driving the demand even higher. However, at the end of the century, concerns about environmental pollution and fuel efficiency began to emerge. This led to the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles and the exploration of alternative energy sources. The rise of Japanese automakers, with their focus on reliability and fuel efficiency, challenged the dominance of traditional American and European car manufacturers.
The new century brought a new wave of innovation to the automotive industry. Electric vehicles (EVs) gained prominence, with companies like Tesla leading the charge in producing high-performance electric cars. Autonomous driving technology, powered by artificial intelligence, became a focal point of research and development, promising a future where cars could drive themselves safely and efficiently.
All this time the number of cars in the world was growing. According to historical records, in 1900, there were approximately 8,000 cars in the United States, which was the leading country in automobile manufacturing and adoption at that time. This would mean that there were about several tens of thousands of vehicles globally. At the end of the 20th century, the number of cars grew to approximately 500 million to 600 million (according to the Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers / OICA).
The number of cars continued to rise rapidly in the following years, and current data indicate that there are over 1.47 billion cars in the world (according to Hedges & Company). That is a large number of cars, and if we take into account the total world population, it means that there is one car for every 5.75 inhabitants.
Most of the vehicles are located in Asia (543 million), Europe (413 million), and North America (358 million). The rest of the world is far behind, led by South America with 84 million and the Middle East with 50 million. Africa has 25 million cars while Antarctica has 50 vehicles.
Source: OICA, Hedges & Company