DETROIT, MI (AP)-- The U.S. government says new cars and trucks sold last year averaged 23.6 miles per gallon of gasoline, a record.
Mazda led all auto companies with an average of 27.1 mpg, followed by Honda at 26.6. Chrysler-Fiat had the worst mileage at 20.1, followed by Daimler at 21.1 mpg. All the figures are for combined city and highway driving.
The Environmental Protection Agency says the overall increase for 2012 is 1.2 miles per gallon above 2011. That's the second-largest annual increase in 30 years.
The agency says automakers are increasing mileage by cutting weight and with more efficient engines and transmissions.