listen)) is a series of small cars produced from 1957 to 1991 by former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. ... Hence, the Trabant became a symbolic of the stagnant economy of former East Germany and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc in general.

Why is the Trabant bad?

Trabants spewed four times as much pollution as typical European vehicles, which meant they did not meet emission standards in other European nations. Many Trabants were sold for as little as a few marks. Others were simply given away or abandoned as families fled to Western Europe.

What was Trabant made of?

2 One result was Duroplast, a material made by soaking waste cotton in plastic resin, then squeezing it in a hot press. Duroplast was tough, light, and held its color for decades -- unlike fiberglass, which yellowed under the sun. 3 The Trabant featured a steel unibody frame, with Duroplast panels bolted on.