America is the reason you have cars. Nope

Japan reshaped the global auto market and brought many technologies to the masses that were once only available to the high end. That said- many iconic Japanese cars that helped establish those brands early on used engine designs licensed off old German motors. Nissan L series engines for example.

The Nazis brought about the “people’s car” which was an early attempt at providing cars for the masses. Many in Europe and abroad wouldn’t have had vehicles if not for the affordable and simple Volkswagen. The Beetle and “VW micro bus” aka van are ingrained in the culture and history of the US, Mexico, and more.

Around the world cheap simple cars like the Beetle weren’t just “first cars” but were often the only options people could keep running. Similar cars from the “Eastern Bloc” served this role too. Many countries first and formative introduction to cars were in these machines. In post war countries where maintenance and proper roads and money might be hard to find- these cars allowed people to drive who otherwise couldn’t. Often times these were copies or variations of other European designs.

The war itself and the following Cold War and those divides and realities, global markets etc- those all played a part in what countries cars and brands and so on became popular in which country and thusly who those people “had to thank” for having cars.

Then add the complexity of the global markets. China owns many “foreign” car companies. The Germans have owned America companies, the French have owned Japanese companies as have Americans and others. Cars made in Mexico or South Africa or wherever country that isn’t their parent origins.... who is responsible for your older Nissan? French ownership of a Japanese company with a car made in Mexico.... confused yet?

What about the old Ford Festiva? Ford owned Mazda... Mazda owned Kia. The Americans asked the Japanese to design a car so the Japanese asked the Koreans to do it, so Ford sold a car designed largely by Koreans using Japanese and American parts...?

An Indian Company owns majority stake in Ford production in India- cars that find themselves sold all over. From the Mondeo to the Mustang- produced and majority owned by an Indian company. Triumph motorcycles- a British classic. Owned by an Indian company along with many other vehicle companies.

Who did what? What would have happened if...? It’s academic. Most passenger vehicles on the road today use a seatbelt designed by Swedish Volvo and shared for the benefit of all. Volvo has been owned by American companies too, and Chinese- as a fun fact. So who is responsible for cars? Everyone. It’s been a shared development of man kind.

If Benz didn’t invent the “car” we wouldn’t likely be having this conversation. If cars had never improved beyond Karl Benz’s finicky and near useless prototype “toy” car (an impressive feat of engineering but still far from a usable vehicle,) cars may well have died. If Ford didn’t make a car people could actually buy, If the Germans and Soviets hadn’t made the “second wave” of affordable car, If the Japanese and Americans and many others hadn’t reshaped the auto industry and improved technology and durability maybe cars wouldn’t be what they are.

Or- maybe someone else would have done those things. If not Benz someone would have eventually figured it out. If Ford didn’t come along someone could figure out mass production. Yadda yadda. So the point is moot. Who did it didn’t do what. Someone eventually likely would have. All nations have contributed to the car.

... except Britain. They’ve been trying for nigh on a century and have yet to produce the technology to build a car. They have created some very fine pieces of automotive art, suitable for museum viewing and garden parties or lawn ornaments. They have also built the rolling swimming pool, the mobile electrical fire, and the self transporting oil slick. Quite compelling are the MG’s and Triumphs and Jensen’s etc, that one might almost think them a car. They are best suited to motoring though and not driving (a key aspect of a car) but it makes it easy to forget that they aren’t cars- but training devices for mechanics or sexual aids for sadomasochists. But someday I am sure Britain will make a car. Their art has inspired many fine automobiles though- and under supervision they can build a solid race machine.

You do have loads of time, sir.

Lol. Not as much as one might think- but I’ve learned to get the most out of what I do have.