Automakers boost fuel economy

DETROIT - To improve gas mileage, automakers are tweaking cars, especially midsize sedans, and trucks between model years.

Honda Motor Co. recently announced changes in its Accord sedan that boosted highway mileage by almost 10 percent from the 2010 to 2011 model years.

The moves come as automakers increasingly use advanced technology to raise fuel economy with their internal combustion engines. Many have made four-cylinder engines as powerful as older six-cylinder motors.

Hyundai Motor Co. designed a four-cylinder engine for the 2011 Sonata that uses less fuel and generates more horsepower than conventional engines.

Chrysler Group LLC is improving its Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring for 2011. It vows significant improvement in gas mileage but offers no numbers yet.

General Motors Co. said it does not expect any fuel economy changes in its midsize model, the Chevrolet Malibu, which got 33 mpg on the highway in 2010.

Ford Motor Co.'s Fusion S2010 model got 34 mpg but was canceled because of slow sales. Highway mileage was boosted on other four-cylinder models to 33 mpg from 31.

The 2010 version of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Camry gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway with a four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. Figures for the 2011 model were not available.