Cars get heavier

In 2007, the average weight of a passenger car is 1,114 kg. Despite the use of lighter materials, the average weight is still increasing, largely as a result of the addition of safety features, like a safety cage construction and airbags. Over 2 million cars – twice as many as in 2000 – weigh more than 1,250 kg. The lightest cars were manufactured between 1986 and 1991. They averaged 935 kg. At the beginning of this year, 370 thousand vintage cars from this period were still on the road.

Average car weight on 1 January 2007