In 1885, German mechanical engineer, Karl Benz designed and built the world's first practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine. On January 29, 1886, Benz received the first patent (DRP No. 37435) for a gas-fueled car. It was a three-wheeler; Benz built his first four-wheeled car in 1891. Benz & Company, the company started by the inventor, became the world's largest manufacturer of automobiles by 1900. (With thanks to About)...
The first self propelled road vehicle was built by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769. It was powered by steam and cruised at a phenominal 2.5mph.
The first electric car was completed in 1939 by Robert Anderson.
The first petrol powered car was made by Karl Friedrich Benz in 1885.