While the use of certain materials has hardly changed in more than a century, for example, the use of rubber in tires, it must be recognised that processes have evolved considerably. In this case, the first tire weighed more than 13 lbs and was worn in about 100 mile at a rate of 10 mph. It has to be said that nowadays the “recipe” has not evolved much, but is based on great innovations.
First of all, because new data must be taken into account in order to optimize lightness, aerodynamics, resistance, safety… While the size of the current traffic lanes is still based on a calculation from Ancient Rome (12 ft being the spacing between two horses, running side by side.) the stakes of the automobile are greatly influenced by new constants. A fairly telling issue, which is, after all, centuries old and yet still contemporary, is the reduction of costs.