This article is accurate, but it doesn't talk about causes. Is the market looking for larger vehicles? Are the auto-makers in cahoots with the oil industry to use larger engines? Is marketing convincing people that having larger vehicles is universally better?
What about the increases in safety over that time span? Crumple-zones in some areas and stronger structural members add weight. Air bags add weight and decrease interior space. A-pillars used to be dainty for visibility but have been thickened to provide rollover protection.
The analysis provided doesn't give any reasons for the changes, only pointing out that they trend toward larger/heavier.
What about the increases in safety over that time span? Crumple-zones in some areas and stronger structural members add weight. Air bags add weight and decrease interior space. A-pillars used to be dainty for visibility but have been thickened to provide rollover protection.
The analysis provided doesn't give any reasons for the changes, only pointing out that they trend toward larger/heavier.