It was precisely because of Umberto I's direct endorsement that automobiles, this novel mode of transportation, became popular among the Italian nobility.
Although the nobility didn't exactly use automobiles to flaunt their wealth and compete with each other, anyone within this group without a car was bound to be viewed differently.
In the first month of automobile sales, these nobles contributed to the majority of sales.
Out of the over a thousand cars sold in Italy thus far, at least 700 were purchased by these nobles.
The nobles did not buy cars just in ones and twos; they typically purchased at least three or four, or even more than ten.
Most nobles had extensive families and vast estates; not only were there numerous family members, there were also confidants and attendants.
Buying only a few cars would be completely insufficient when vehicles are needed. For the nobles, they didn't mind stockpiling a few more cars.
