During the early 20th century, the automobile industry began to flourish in the United States. Companies like Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler started mass-producing vehicles, making cars more accessible to the general public. The introduction of assembly line production techniques greatly reduced the time and cost it took to manufacture a vehicle. By the 1920s, the automobile had transformed American society, allowing more people to travel long distances and paving the way for suburban expansion. This shift changed the landscape of cities and rural areas alike.