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Toyota studying larger Prius people-hauler

Toyota's Prius family could continue to grow, literally, as the automaker studies an additional version of the popular hybrid that carries three rows of seats. The three-row Prius would not be the same vehicle as the Prius Alpha sold in Japan, which basically crams a third row of seats into the cargo area of the five-seat Prius V to be sold in the United States starting this fall. To the contrary, this potential Prius would be large enough to hold seven people as well as their stuff, said Bob Carter, Toyota Division general manager.

Ford Motor Company Fund expands driver-education program for teens

Driving Skills for Life (DSFL), a free program sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund to teach teen drivers safe driving skills, will be coming to 31 more cities this year as part of the DSFL national high-school tour and community program. New sites for the clinic include Albany, N.Y.; Louisville, Ky.; Atlanta; Phoenix, and Boston. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our young people on the road,” said Jim Graham, manager of DSFL.

Honda Gear Concept

Rather than fighting for headlines at NAIAS, Honda debuted its new GEAR Concept at the Montreal International Auto Show. The subcompact GEAR is apparently inspired by fixed-gear bicycles (although quite how is unclear), described as a customizable vehicle that demonstrates the carmaker's way of providing vehicles for young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles. "Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer," said Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas, Inc.