Mazda is using an old racer’s trick—adding lightness—to increase the fuel mileage of its next-generation vehicles. The goal is to cut 220 pounds off each one, which is easy on heavy crossovers and SUVs but more of a challenge with smaller cars. Even so, the first try, with the 2013 Mazda CX-5 crossover, resulted in a curb weight hundreds of pounds lower than that of the CX-7 it replaced.

AM General is mulling over the idea of producing a kit Hummer composed of certain military-spec HMMWV body and chassis components into which aspiring urban commandos install their own engine and powertrain. Called the C-Series (C for civilian), it’s thought that off-road racers and enthusiasts would be the first to put down deposits if the project goes ahead.

Carmakers often proclaim how environmentally friendly their vehicles, and even their manufacturing plants, are in an effort to lure young green-leaning Gen Y buyers into their showrooms. But Jim Lentz, chief executive of Toyota Motor sales, says Gen Y is lukewarm at best about cars, preferring to ride bikes and take public transportation instead, and more likely to buy the latest smart phone than a new car. Still, there’s hope in the form a survey data predicting that this age group might well comprise as much as 40 percent of U.S. sales in the next decade, and that they’re particularly interested in hybrids. More...

Transportation choices are limited for folks who use a wheelchair. That’s obvious. Nearly all private vehicles that can accommodate a wheelchair are conversions: typically, modifications of a van or minivan, marketed either by an automaker or an aftermarket organization.

For several years now, a Florida-based company has been promising a purpose-built vehicle that’s specifically designed for wheelchair users. Following a few false starts, the MV-1 finally went on sale in the fall of 2011.

Developed with guidance from disabled persons by the Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG), the MV-1 promises not only abundant space for the wheelchair and companions, but a comfortable ride for all. Each MV-1 has a side-entry ramp integrated into the back floor, either manual or power-operated, to provide easy entry and exit for the wheelchair or motorized scooter user. Power ramps have two length choices: 52.5 or 87 inches.

Once inside, plenty of space is available for a wheelchair to turn completely around as needed. Therefore, the wheelchair occupant can ride either up front, next to the driver, or farther back. No front passenger seat is included, so all that space is for wheelchair use, with a Q’Strain restraint track system integrated into the floor. More...

Nothing lasts forever. Yet, in the automobile business, several makes have been around for a century or more. A handful of car models, too—Chevrolet Impala, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic—have lasted four or five decades, or longer, going through a succession of generations but maintaining a tie to the company’s heritage.

Over the past year or so, several makes that seemed destined to last virtually forever instead bit the dust. Pontiac is the most notable example, with a history dating back to 1926. Like Saturn, another member of the GM family that was axed in the recent downsizing, Pontiac disappeared after the 2010 model year, following substantial shrinkage for 2009. So did Hummer, whose heritage began with the military version that served during the Gulf War of the 1990s.

Saab seemed destined for the scrap heap when several buyers failed to take it over after the separation from GM. Even now, the future of that Swedish nameplate remains uncertain.

Car models don’t generally last as long, and tend to fade away without fanfare. Buick, for instance, will soon drop its Lucerne sedan. Cadillac has abandoned its big DTS sedan, which was a descendant of the long-lived DeVille. Honda’s boxy compact Element crossover is gone. Mercury soon will delete the Mariner compact crossover SUV from its lineup. Volvo dropped its V70 station wagon, but retains the more SUV-like XC70. More...

Hummer has recalled 2006-2010 H3s to inspect and repair the hood louver. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), clip-tabs on the louver may fracture, causing a rattle that can lead to the louver becoming loose with the possibility of coming off when driving. There is therefore risk of the part striking another vehicle.

The fix is a simple adhesive applied to the hood louver.

The recall affects 162,129 H3 SUV and H3 SUT vehicles. There have been five complaints thus far regarding the hood louver loosening, says USA Today, in a report the cites the irony of the tough trucks losing a fake vent.

General Motors has closed the Hummer division, and the remaining new-stock products are being sold at significant discounts.

Read our Hummer H2 and H3 reviews.

Check out our Hummer Research Center with quick access to pricing, photos, reviews, and more.

There are great prices to be found on used Hummers. Check out our more than three million used-car listings to find Hummer deals in your area.

This sounds like a familiar story, as General Motors has threatened to close Hummer before. For a while, it looked like GM would sell the off-road division to truck builder Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd (Tengzhong). The Chinese company did not get the government approval it needed to complete the sale process it had begun. GM held out for a last-minute purchase, but a suitable buyer with the deep pockets necessary to rebuild the Hummer business did not materialize.

GM told dealers today that it would commence official wind down of the division, sending Hummer down the same trail that saw Pontiac and Saturn drive off into the sunset.

To clear inventory from the 153 Hummer dealerships, GM will offer dramatic discounts to include 0-percent financing and up to $6,000 rebates. Of course, the incentives are likely to be offset by significant depreciation. Going forward, it is expected that Chevrolet and GMC dealerships will be equipped and trained to provide service and warranty repairs.

Read our Hummer H2 and H3 reviews.

Check out our Hummer Research Center with quick access to pricing, photos, reviews, and more.

There are great prices to be found on used Hummers. Check out our more than three million used-car listings to find Hummer deals in your area.

We've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather all the highlights from each so you can stay informed of everything that's happening in the automotive world.

At a private fleet sales event in Las Vegas today, Ford finally took the wraps off a new-generation Police Interceptor model based on the 2010 Taurus. The new car has big shoes to fill as the Crown Vic has accounted for 70 percent of all police vehicle sales over the past five years. Check out the report at AutoBlog.com  for more news and photos about the new Police Interceptor.

The unintended acceleration case of the second-generation Prius belonging to James Sikes now officially has an interesting backstory and has fallen under intense scrutiny. Apparently, according to USAToday, Sikes' "case against Toyota is starting to look shaky." Why? AutoBlogGreen  gives two reasons: First Toyota says the built-in brake override system should have slowed the car. And second, Sikes is apparently deep in debt. Jalopnik has unofficially labeled Sikes "The New Balloon Boy,"  and Hybrid Cars.com is calling him a "Hybrid Hero"  for being the man who convinced the public to question if Prius safety questions are more hype than reality.

Interestingly, with all the bad press they have received lately, it might be easy to believe Toyota is the car company with the most problems right now, right? Wrong. The car company with the worst start to 2010 is Chrysler. An article at CarGurus.com says  American consumers have essentially turned their backs on the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brands. In fact, according to CNNMoney.com  more than half of Chrysler's sales in January and February have been to fleet customers, such as rental car companies; statistics show Chrysler's sales to consumers have plunged more than 44% so far this year.

Speaking of vehicle safety concerns, Consumer Reports  has posted a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showing that new frontal air bags designed to meet the latest federal standards have not improved occupant protection and may have actually reduced protection for belted drivers compared with earlier-generation air bags, and reminds drivers "it is key that passengers remain vigilant about wearing seat belts."

With General Motors' ill-fated Hummer brand all-but-closed, some dealers are creating particularly innovative ways to clear out their remaining inventory. LeftLaneNews  reports that Lynch Hummer of St. Louis, which has gained attention over the past few years for its "free gun included" sales tactics, will be launching a new final clearance that includes a $2,000 Browning shotgun with each purchase.

Do you commute with pets in the car? If you drive with doggy in tow, Automopedia.com highly recommends a Puppy Safety Seat for your vehicle. While the article is light-hearted, advocates for animal safety behind the wheel stress that having your dog comfortable yet contained is very important for stress-free travel, saying A Puppy car seat can also keep "a dog contained in the car cuts down on driver distraction and limits the potential for the dog to become a projectile in the event of an accident. It also keeps emergency responders safe if there's been a car crash and the dog is agitated."

Yeah, we're all disappointed that Conan O'Brien was dumped so Jay Leno could have the coveted late-night talk show slot. But fear not, #TeamCoco fans! Officially dubbed 'The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour,' the red-headed funny guy is embarking on a 30-city comedy tour. Find out more at TeamCoco.com/ How is this auto-related you ask? Well, if you're missing Conando mucho, you can follow him at Twitter as @ConanOBrien, and even befriend his pet @ConansMonkey or his method of transportation @ConansTaurus.  Yeah, it's a stretch, but he says that dusty Ford IS his car.  

Should you buy a hybrid or battery car? What's the actual cost of driving a battery car like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt? That likely depends on how and where you drive. Everybody has a different opinion on this topic, but The Detroit Bureau  says a high price up front can save you money at the back end.

St. Patrick's Day is quickly approaching, and in that spirit, TheCarConection  has shared a collection of The Most Popular Cars Painted Green. It's long been known that a green paint job is a special taste for car buyers. I grew up hearing that green cars were unlucky! Year after year, the most popular colors are silver, gray, white, and black. Across all models sold, green cars represent a mere 2 percent of the total. You'll have to check out the complete article to find out that the single most popular green car is...

Have you played Suzuki's Wicked Weather game?  The goal is to drive a Kizashi across snowy terrain, while avoiding being hit by snowballs thrown by evil snowmen. Mother Nature adds lightning strikes and potholes to make the journey even more treacherous. Kizaski's all-wheel drive will help you get home safe and sound, and put that wicked weather in its place. After hours of practice, I managed to ram 11 snowmen in 51 seconds. When avoiding the frosty baddies, I made my journey in 41 seconds with three snowball hits. How will you fare?

And with that game to keep you face-planted in your computer for the evening, we thank you for joining us for this week's CARnival! Have you got something of interest you want us to include in a future carnival? Then fill out our online form  so we can be notified of your interesting entry to our weekly blog CAR-nival. Check back next week for another installment!

Brandy Schaffels, autoMedia.com contributing editor