Empire Rising: Spain - Chapter 252 - 64: The Prototype of the Automobile

Ultimately, it’s because the power source of horse-drawn carriages, the horses, have too many limitations. After all, they’re animals, subject to birth, aging, sickness, and death, along with a host of other issues.

Even the army’s well-trained warhorses can’t endure prolonged combat. Not to mention the ordinary horses used for transportation, which frequently encounter problems while working.

Even when several horses pull a carriage, transporting anything with significant weight is greatly restricted.

Weather and temperature changes, as well as road conditions, also affect the transportation of carriages, which in turn impacts economic development to some degree.

While cars also have various issues, they generally focus on the engine, specifically the so-called stability problems.

As long as the engine’s stability issue is resolved, cars can transport freely as long as there’s enough fuel, traveling as long and as far as desired.

This is something horses and carriages simply cannot achieve, which is why cars can replace horse-drawn carriages.

Upon hearing this, Queen Sophie nodded, agreeing with Carlo’s words.

After all, the problems with horses and carriages are evident and unsolvable. Although horses can be trained, they are ultimately normal animals with limits on speed and endurance.

A horse that can run a thousand miles might exist, but not every horse can become one. And horses and carriages are common transportation tools, relying on just a small number of horses for greater speed and endurance isn’t feasible.

Cars, though not without problems, are mechanical and theoretically have greater potential.

The idea of cars replacing carriages is currently just speculation, but in the coming decades, it might very well become a reality, with a significant probability of success.

Benz didn’t overhear the discussion between Carlo and Queen Sophie, otherwise, he might feel more confident about the engines and cars he developed.

After a casual drive around, Benz returned to the original location. After Carlo and Queen Sophie got out of the car, they had a more fitting evaluation of the vehicle.

“Very nice, Mr. Benz.” Carlo first acknowledged that the engine research was a collective effort and the role of such cars, then gave his opinion: ”

However, I think the structure of the car can be updated, since it is destined for commercial use.

Moreover, I suggest separating the functions of carrying passengers and goods, developing different types of cars.

Passenger cars can focus on higher comfort, aesthetic appearance, and safety. Freight cars can focus on higher load capacity and more stable driving speeds.

Different types of cars meet various people’s needs. I am optimistic that your automobile development will bring changes to the human world, possibly becoming a transportation tool on par with trains, thereby changing our world.”

Carlo’s evaluation is quite high, considering that trains are currently the most important means of transportation in the human world. Building railways is the primary choice for countries during colonization, as it enables the transport of extracted minerals and harvested crops.

Benz, Daimler, Maybach, and others exchanged glances, seeing excitement and disbelief in each other’s eyes.

The disbelief comes from Carlo’s high praise for their research, while the excitement stems from having Carlo’s endorsement, which will make their upcoming research smoother without worries about funding.

“But there’s one more thing,” Carlo said, seeing the excited group, continuing with his opinion: “Since it’s proven that a carriage equipped with an engine has greater utility, both engine and car research must not cease.

So I’ve decided to establish a car company for automotive research beyond the engine lab. Whether you choose to stay with the engine lab or join the car company is up to you.

However, both the engine lab and car company are vital, and regardless of where you work, you need to dedicate 100% of your efforts to your research.”

Since the initial car has already emerged, the division between engine and car research is warranted.

Engine research is crucial because engines can be used not only in automobiles but also in military weapons such as tanks and planes, as well as various civilian machinery.

Cars are equally important. The automobile is a crucial transportation tool with significant future development prospects and a vast potential market.

Despite the separation, Carlo won’t abandon either aspect. Spain’s future requires vigorous development in both engines and automobiles, as these two fields complement each other and are vital for the country.

Benz and the other two exchanged looks, somewhat reluctant even though they had anticipated this outcome.

Ultimately, the older Daimler spoke up with a smile, easing the reluctance among the three: “Well now, working on different projects doesn’t mean we won’t see each other anymore. Engine and car research are inseparable.

Whether working on engine research or car development, we are fulfilling our original dream, aren’t we?

Maybach, among us, you have more talent in design, so why don’t you take charge of the car development?”