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Mazda outlines weight-loss program

Mazda Motor Corp. will reduce its vehicle weights by at least 220 pounds beginning in 2011, with a combination of lighter-weight materials, smaller vehicle footprints and new engineering processes, a top executive says. The typical Mazda vehicle has gained 80 pounds with each successive redesign, “mostly in larger tires and wheels, and safety equipment,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president of product development and quality for Mazda North American Operations.

Oprah viewers get keys to 2012 Volkswagen Beetle giveaway cars

The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is arriving at dealerships, and some of the first people to get one have waited nearly a year. Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey revealed the Beetle's design silhouette on her "Ultimate Favorite Things" giveaway show in 2010 and told audience members that they would be among the first owners. On Thursday, 276 people got their cars.

Audi, Honda, Hyundai, and GM to bring Android to cars

General Motors, Audi, Honda and Hyundai have joined forces with Google and Nvidia to form the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), their overarching goal being the integration of Google's Android software into automotive infotainment systems. The OAA will use Android's open development model to bring a greater variety of functions to car infotainment systems, which have noticeably lagged behind smartphones when it comes to capability due to long development periods, fast changing technology, and a glut variety of incompatible systems. The alliance's first order of business will be to develop new Android platform features to enable the car to become a connected Android device.