Chrysler, Hyundai set pace as auto sales rise 11 percent

Chrysler Group, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai and Kia set the pace as U.S. light vehicle sales rose 11 percent in January from a year ago, signaling the industry's recovery is gaining traction. Chrysler's sales advanced by 44 percent last month, and volume climbed 40 percent at the Volkswagen Group.

New Mazda3 to drive 9,300 miles from Hiroshima, Japan, to Frankfurt, Germany

The new Mazda3 (pictured) is trekking from Hiroshima to Frankfurt If you’re going to set a challenge for a new car, a drive from Hiroshima to Frankfurt – 9,300 miles – is probably one designed to show any flaws. And that’s exactly what Mazda are doing with the new Mazda3. The ‘Mazda Route3 – Hiroshima to Frankfurt Challenger Tour 2013′ will see eight new Mazda3s setting off from the Mazda factory in Hiroshima, heading for Russia, through Belarus and Poland before ending up in Frankfurt, Germany.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT gets more letters, power

Two additional letters will spell more power for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The supercar will be named the SLS AMG GT for the next model year, which is meant to call attention to the light freshening that the glamorous two-seater will receive when it goes on sale in mid-November. Output grows to 583 hp from the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, up from 563 hp in today's car.