Cars 'safer, cleaner and greener'

• Cars greener than ever, new report says
• Cars' weight up, but emissions down
• Makers won't hit CO2 targets, though

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Cars are safer, more economical and cleaner than ever before, according to a new report published today.

The Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders' (SMMT) study, 'The Evolution of the Car', compares modern-day motors with those from the 1970s and 1980s.

Despite increases in weight, every model compared in the report, from BMW to VW, shows improvements in fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Other emissions are also reduced - it would take 76 current Ford Fiestas to produce the same amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) as one 1976 model, for example.

However, the industry as a whole is unlikely to meet self-imposed targets for reducing average carbon dioxide output from cars.

Safety features add weight
Some of the weight added to cars on sale today is from safety features. While few cars in the 1970s had anti-lock brakes, all modern versions now have them as standard.

Two airbags are also fitted in every car, while stability control is usually at the very least on the options list.

Many organisations, including What Car?, Euro NCAP and the Government, have called for the universal fitment of stability control to every new car, however.

Greener car manufacturing
A second report published by the SMMT today shows that manufacturing plants in the UK are also greener than ever.

Carbon dioxide levels from car and commercial vehicle factories in this country are down 36.5% over the past four years.

The carbon dioxide produced in the manufacturer of a typical vehicle has fallen from 1.3 tonnes per car in 2001 to 0.7 tonnes in 2006.