The evolution of the average dimensions of vehicles produced in Europe
- Like weight, which has increased overall in twenty years, the dimensions of cars produced in Europe have increased significantly between 2000 and 2022, the average length of these cars having increased from 4.16 m in 2000 to 4.36 m in 2022, which represents an increase of 20 centimeters in twenty-two years, or 1 centimeter per year.
- Growth was uninterrupted except for the year 2009 which had seen a revival in sales of small cars due to a system of scrapping bonuses which was intended to revive the automobile market which had then fallen to its lowest point. The trend of increasing dimensions resumed as early as 2010 and has not slowed down until today.
- The average width of cars produced in Europe has also increased between 2000 and 2022, going from 1.71 m in 2000 to 1.81 m in 2022, which represents an increase of 10 centimeters in twenty-two years, i.e. 0.5 centimeters per year.
- The average height of cars produced in Europe has also increased between 2000 and 2022, rising from 1.48 m in 2000 to 1.55 m in 2022, which represents an increase of 7 centimeters in twenty-two years, or 0.3 centimeter per year.
- The increase in the average height of cars produced in Europe is not so much due to sedans, which remains stable, but to SUVs, the proportion of which is much higher today than twenty years ago and has steadily improved since that time. However, the increase in the average height of cars in Europe has marked a slowdown over the past four years.