Question: How was the United States different from Europe when it came to automobile ownership and industry? The gasoline-powered vehicle remained a luxury item until after the Second World War in the United States. The United States produced inexpensive cars in large quantities. The United States also had one of the prime industrial movers, Henry Ford. The United States had about 80% of the world's motor vehicles. Europe was not prospects in 1927 for the development of automobile cultures embodying American ideals. Many Europeans were obsessed with Henry Ford.