The average weight of a mid-sized sedan is about 1,500kg, and the average weight of all American cars is closer to 1,900kg. A 4-seater close to 1,000kg is exceptionally light by modern standards. The Mazda MX-5 is a 2-seater which is famous for being lightweight, and it also weighs a few kg above a ton.

Also going off maximum human capacity isn't great in context, as the average car journey has <1.5 occupants. Not to mention if this was codified, car manufacturers would simply put folding seats in the trunk.

> car manufacturers would simply put folding seats in the trunk

Fair enough, but then we could decide the relevant ratio is one human / GVW.

My previous car was an MX-5, so maybe I’m predisposed to picking light vehicles (current is a Suzuki Swift Sport).

A 2021 Chevrolet Silverado weight 5190 lbs [0], which is 2.35 tonnes, which is extreme but in the range of the article.

[0] https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/2021/featur...

Yeah you're right, maybe closer to .15 or .2; the F-150 weights between 2 and 2.5 metric tons depending on configuration, and seats only 5.

The Yukon SUV that Arnold Schwarzenegger drives weights over 2.7 metric tons (6k pounds).

The Tesla truck is announced to pass the 8,500 pounds mark, or around 3.8 metric tons (!!)

Have you heard of Rivian?