"Karl Benz invented the automobile, a German, in Germany. Not an American."

Depends on what the meaning of "invented" is. An American, George B. Seldon, invented and filed a patent application May 8, 1879, although he had not actually built one at that time, and was later granted U.S. patent 549,160 as inventor of the automobile. So, although it is true he did not build an automobile before Benz's first three wheeler, technically and legally in the US, he is credited with having invented the automobile.