The 7 Most Interesting Car Facts Ever

As the top Cincinnati Chevy dealer, McCluskey Chevrolet strives to keep up with the automotive industry in every possible way. From the latest and greatest models being released to historical accomplishments and other fun tidbits of information, you’ll find that our experts are well-versed in all of it. The auto industry has a celebrated history, and the car itself has been a part of many firsts. Cars have also played a prominent role in our lives for over a century, and in this time, many interesting things have occurred. When it comes to some of the most fascinating facts about cars, we’ve compiled a list of our absolute favorites.

1. Over 66 Million Vehicles Were Sold in 2021

It’s no secret that cars are the ideal form of transportation for many travelers. Whether you’re venturing across the country and want to enjoy the diverse scenery on the way or you’re just running errands around town, cars just make everything easier and more convenient. Some vehicles tend to chronically end up on the bestseller list year after year, including the Toyota Corolla, Chevy Equinox, GMC Sierra, and Nissan Rogue, among others. These vehicles are considered safe, efficient, and tuned in to the drive, with capabilities and features drivers are looking for in a vehicle. Although sales dipped a bit in 2020 to just over 63 million vehicles due to the pandemic, we’re happy to see vehicle sales continuing to increase as we make our way back to normalcy.

2. The First Car Was Produced in 1886

Carl Benz is credited with developing the first automobile, applying for a patent for his gas-powered vehicle in 1886. This vehicle featured two seats, three wheels, and a single-stroke four-cylinder engine, which resided in the rear of the vehicle. Producing 0.75 horsepower, this vehicle was able to simplify daily travels and would go on to be perfected and imitated by many other bright minds in the industry. From Henry Ford to William Durant, many industry moguls would come together to transform these original ideas into the vehicles that we get to experience today. To say that the auto industry has a rich and exciting history is a major understatement, and we continue to see growth and development in our vehicles to this day and into the future.

3. Drivers Spend an Average of 36 Hours in Traffic a Year

For many, dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic is all part of a normal day. Data collected in 2021 suggests that the average driver spent 36 total hours sitting in traffic last year, more if you were in highly congested areas. For example, drivers in Los Angeles spent 75 hours in traffic last year, while others in Atlanta and New York City spent 48 hours and 80 hours, respectively. Fortunately, many vehicles are designed with commuting in mind, offering comfortable seating, spacious interiors, easily maneuverable sizes, and a level of efficiency that is unmatched. This makes it easy for those frequently finding themselves in stop-and-go traffic to maximize their time spent behind the wheel.

4. Only 18% of Americans Drive a Manual Vehicle

Although it’s reported that 66% of Americans know how to drive a stick, only about 18% of them actually do so on a regular basis. It’s more convenient for many drivers to drive an automatic, as they don’t have to think about the inner workings of the drive as much, allowing them to focus more on the road. Some drivers, however, love the idea of a manual transmission, feeling more in control of the ride and how their vehicle performs. This number has been steadily dwindling for years as more automakers are choosing to skip the manual option and only offer automatic transmissions in their vehicles. Many performance vehicles that have been known to only offer manual transmissions are even being transformed into automatic options, which proves that the industry is definitely experiencing a shift here.

5. The Word Car Comes From the Latin Word “Carrus”

Did you ever stop to think about how the car got its name? The word “car” has nothing to do with “automobile” or “vehicle,” so how did we end up with the word we seemingly hear every day of our lives? Car is derived from the word “carrus,” which is Latin for a wagon or cart. This makes sense, seeing as we cart ourselves from one place to another in cars, with many offering plenty of cargo space for travel gear, as well as roomy interiors to accommodate more passengers. Opting for bigger vehicles, like SUVs and trucks, allows you to handle more during your journey, and many automakers, like Chevy, offer a diverse array of models to choose from to appeal to virtually every type of driver imaginable.

6. The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut Is One of the Fastest Cars on the Track

It’s always interesting to see which vehicles are the fastest around, exhibiting jaw-dropping speeds on the track, and the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is one of the most impressive ever. Reaching a top speed of 330 mph, this adrenaline-packed speedster has a drag coefficient of 0.278, enhancing its aerodynamics and performance to new levels. Its 5.0L twin-turbo V8 generates 1,600 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque, and if you’re into thrills, one look at this magnificent machine will have you in absolute awe. Other top contenders for speed include the Hennessey Venom F5, which clocks a max speed of 311 mph, as well as the Bugatti Chiron, which comes in at 261 mph.

7. Cruise Control Was Invented in 1945 by Blind Engineer, Ralph Teetor

Nowadays, many vehicles on the roadways have semi-autonomous driving capabilities, and this is thanks to early advancements, like cruise control. This feature was invented by automotive engineer Ralph Teetor, who was blind. Coining the term “Speedostat” in 1945, Teetor worked diligently to perfect his vehicle speed control device, which would later become known as cruise control. Most drivers utilize this feature to help them maintain their speed, and as the years have gone on, advancements to this feature have become prevalent. Today, semi-autonomous vehicles utilize what’s called Adaptive Cruise Control, paired with LiDAR mapping, to allow drivers to operate their vehicles hands-free on hundreds of thousands of pre-mapped roadways, and it all started with Teetor’s invention.

The Amazing Automotive World

It’s interesting to think of how many cool facts occupy the automotive industry, and automakers are not done wowing us yet. As semi-autonomous driving capabilities become more impressive and new forms of transportation are unveiled, the future of the industry is exceptionally bright. Here at McCluskey Chevrolet, we’re excited to be a part of all of the latest advancements, new models, and phenomenal features that are transforming the way we travel. That’s why we keep our lot stocked with some of the best options on the market to add quality, value, and enjoyment to any type of journey.

Stop by our lot and see what we have to offer. Chat with our team, ask questions about various models, and even learn a thing or two about the amazing world of cars. Cars are more than just a way to get us from Point A to Point B; they occupy a large role in our everyday existence, and as the industry keeps evolving, so do our travels. The next time you’re passing by a car you admire on the roadway, remember some of these fun facts about the industry and how it is continuing to maximize our lifestyles, one vehicle at a time.