Why was owning a car before the 1920's rare?

Owning a car before the 1920s was rare primarily due to their high cost and limited accessibility. Most automobiles were luxury items, affordable only to the wealthy, and the manufacturing process was not yet streamlined. Additionally, the infrastructure for roads and gas stations was underdeveloped, making car ownership impractical for the average person. The widespread adoption of the assembly line by Henry Ford in the early 20th century significantly reduced prices, leading to increased car ownership in the 1920s.