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Mazda 3 and Mazda 3 Fastback star at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Three is a magic number for Mazda at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor show. The new Mazda 3 is the third car from the Japanese manufacturer’s ‘Skyactiv’ line-up, joining the CX5 crossover and the 6 saloon and estate. This time around, the regular Mazda 3 hatchback is joined by a larger ‘Fastback’ saloon model, offering even more practicality should you need it.

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

General Motors to keep green car technology in house

For the first time in its 100-year history, General Motors plans to design, develop and manufacture electric motors for its growing array of gasoline-electric hybrids and electric vehicles. The electric motors used in GM's current lineup of hybrids are made to GM specifications by outside vendors. GM wants to bring the design and manufacturing in-house to save money and to apply its own technology to boost performance, lower weight and reduce power consumption, said Larry Nitz, GM's chief hybrid powertrain engineer.