<P> The automotive industry in the United States began in the 1890s and , as a result of the size of the domestic market and the use of mass - production , rapidly evolved into the largest in the world . However , the United States was overtaken as the largest automobile producer by Japan in the 1980s , and subsequently by China in 2008 . The U.S. is currently second among the largest manufacturer in the world by volume , with approximately 8 - 10 million manufactured annually . Notable exceptions were 5.7 million automobiles manufactured in 2009 ( due to crisis ) , and peak production levels of 13 - 15 million units during the 1970s and early 2000s . </P>
<P> The automotive industry in the United States began in the 1890s and , as a result of the size of the domestic market and the use of mass - production , rapidly evolved into the largest in the world . However , the United States was overtaken as the largest automobile producer by Japan in the 1980s , and subsequently by China in 2008 . The U.S. is currently second among the largest manufacturer in the world by volume , with approximately 8 - 10 million manufactured annually . Notable exceptions were 5.7 million automobiles manufactured in 2009 ( due to crisis ) , and peak production levels of 13 - 15 million units during the 1970s and early 2000s . </P>
when was the first car made in united states
when was the first car made in united states
1890s
1890s