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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.

Chevrolet Code 130R, Tru 140S at 2012 Detroit show

Chevrolet's press conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show was all about youngsters: namely the millennials, or 11-30-year-olds who hold increasing consumer power. GM reckons there are 80 million of them in the US, and they account for $1 trillion of spending power. So it's worth taking them seriously.

Mazda brings diesel back to Indy with 6 Skyactiv-D

Diesel has enjoyed great success lately as a racing fuel, but there's one place it hasn't appeared for more than six decades: Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mazda's breaking that dry spell this weekend, when its Mazda 6 Skyactiv-D race car will head to Indy for the Grand-Am race. We like the 6 in both road trim and racing livery, but that previous diesel-powered racer -- the Cummins Diesel Special -- is pretty neat too.