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Chrysler, VW, Kia and Toyota set March sales pace

U.S. light-vehicle sales--aided by Chrysler Group, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai-Kia and Toyota Motor Corp.--rose 13 percent in March to 1.4 million units, with demand for smaller, fuel-efficient models, redesigned vehicles and pickups driving the gains. Even with gasoline prices exceeding $4 a gallon in many parts of the country, the seasonally adjusted sales rate for March hit 14.4 million units.

Audi plans expansion of hybrids, electrics

Audi plans a rapid expansion of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years as a key component in Volkswagen Group's strategy to dominate the alternative-powertrain market by decade's end. Michael Dick, Audi's board member for technical development, told Automotive News that the next-generation A6 sedan will have the potential to be a full hybrid by the end of 2012. The A6 would join the recently introduced hybrid A8 sedan at the Geneva auto show and the soon-to-be-launched Q5 hybrid crossover.

Lexus gets new focus

Battered by recalls and public inquisitions, Toyota is hoping to restore its once-pristine image with new hybrid products and a renewed focus on Lexus. Lexus increasingly will be positioned as a “global premium brand,” the company said on Wednesday, and see improved styling, more hybrids and better service. The brand's sales have fallen 9 percent this year, to 26,674 in the United States.