The early history of the automobile can be divided into a number of eras, based on the prevalent means of propulsion. Later periods were defined by trends in exterior styling, size, and utility preferences.
17th and 18th centuries
Ferdinand Verbiest, a member of a Jesuit mission in China, built the first steam-powered vehicle around 1672 as a toy for the Chinese Emperor. It was of small enough scale that it could not carry a driver but it was, quite possibly the first working steam-powered vehicle ('auto-mobile')
![auto](http://www.carmodels2016.ga/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/auto.jpg)
![toyota-etios-2010-12-7-0-35-18](http://www.carmodels2016.ga/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/toyota-etios-2010-12-7-0-35-18-300x150.jpg)
![corolla](http://www.carmodels2016.ga/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/corolla-300x150.jpg)