More Camry for less, seven-seat VW SUV and GM support of King memorial

Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, unveils the 2012 Camry at the Toyota plant in Kentucky, Aug. 23. (David Perry / The Associated Press)

New Camry adds features, cuts prices
The new Toyota Camry, unveiled last week, has improved fuel economy, more technology, a few style changes -- and a lower sticker price on most models. The LE costs $200 less at $22,500, the high-end XLE is down $2,000, to $25,485, and hybrid Camrys start at $25,900, $1,150 less. The hybrid models have a significantly improved powertrain, boosting mileage to 43 city/39 highway. The new Camry is also the first model to offer Toyota's new information and entertainment system, called Entune. The seventh-generation Camry is expected to hit dealerships in October.

--New York Times News Service

(The Associated Press)

VW looking to add seven-passenger SUV
Volkswagen is studying the possibility of adding an SUV that seats seven to its lineup. The vehicle would be roomier than its Touareg SUV, but would come in under the Touareg's $44,000 price, Volkswagen of America Chief Executive Jonathan Browning says. In a bid to boost sales, VW is developing more vehicles specifically for the U.S. market and is pricing them to be more competitive in their segments.

--New York Times News Service

Automakers key donors to King memorial
General Motors was one of the earliest supporters of the decade-long odyssey to build a memorial honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall. At $10 million, GM and the General Motors Foundation was the largest donor to the $120 million memorial that opened to the public Aug. 22. Other automakers and their foundations also stepped up: The Ford Foundation and Toyota each gave $2 million, Hyundai $1 million and Honda $500,000. GM's Chevrolet brand is also sponsoring a "Table of Brotherhood" four-city tour to bring people together to discuss King's legacy, as well as issues such as education, the economy, health care, and cultural diversity and tolerance.

--New York Times News Service