It’s true that the majority of new vehicles tend to be heavier than the ones they replace, even if their dimensions remain similar. Most of the times, the reason is that manufacturers try to improve their vehicle's safety credentials and comfort amenities with a negative impact on weight and fuel consumption.
Now this trend seems to be reversing, albeit at a slow pace. For example, Peugeot’s new supermini, the 208, is lighter than its predecessor, the 207.
According to business daily newspaper Nikkei, Honda will soon join the pack as it plans to change its design and assembly methods to reduce its vehicles’ weight without making any compromises in safety or comfort features.
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