Which car was popularized during the onset of the automobile era for its affordability?

The Model T, produced by Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1927, was a groundbreaking vehicle that played a critical role in the development and popularization of the automobile industry. Its significance lies in its affordability and mass production techniques that greatly reduced its cost, making it accessible to a larger segment of the population.

Henry Ford introduced assembly line production, which allowed for faster manufacturing and lower prices. As a result, the Model T became a symbol of the American Dream, enabling everyday Americans to own a car for the first time. Its price fell from around $850 in 1908 to less than $300 by the 1920s, demonstrating its affordability and contributing to its immense popularity. This transformation in automobile production and marketing made the Model T a defining vehicle of the era, representing a shift towards mass mobility.

In contrast, the other vehicles mentioned emerged in later decades and did not have the same foundational impact in the early years of the automobile era. The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Malibu, and Volkswagen Beetle, while iconic in their own right, do not symbolize the initial breakthrough in car ownership that the Model T represents.