the first " " in automotive manufacturing

Driver-aids
First standard rear-view mirror - 1912 Marmon
First power steering - 1951 Imperial
First cruise control - 1957 Imperial
First traction control system/anti slip regulation - 1971 Buick LeSabre (MaxTrac)
First drive-by-wire throttle - 1988 BMW 750iL
First electrochromic rear-view mirror - 1989 Lexus LS
First Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers - 1984 Nissan 200SX/Nissan Silvia
First dynamic stability control system/Electronic Stability Programme/Vehicle Stability Control - 1995 BMW 7-Series/Mercedes-Benz CL-Class/Toyota Crown Majesta
First adaptive cruise control - 1997 Toyota Celsior
First LED display - 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda instrument cluster
First CRT display - 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda computer controlled instrument cluster
First heads-up display - 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme/1988 Nissan Silvia
First factory GPS navigation - 1990 Mazda Cosmo, 1986 GT Limited Toyota Soarer
First night vision - Mercedes-Benz S Class
First power door locks - 1914 Scripps-Booth
First self parking - 2004 Toyota Prius
First Blind Spot Intervention System - 2009 Ford Escape/Taurus
First Synchronized down shift rev-matching system - 2009 Nissan 370Z/Nissan Fairlady Z

Tires
First use of pneumatic tires - 1895 Peugeot L'Eclair (Michelin)
First standard pneumatic tires - 1896 Bollée Voiturette
First radial-ply tires - 1949 Michelin "X" (patented in 1946)
First self-repairing tires - 1950 Goodyear
First run flat tire - 1974 Mini 1275GT (Dunlop Denovo; optional)

Plus dimensions, performance, sales, engines, bodies, and tons more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automotive_superlatives