Paul Sancya / AP

A car is jammed between two trucks after a mile-long pile-up on Interstate 75 in Detroit on Jan. 31.

By Kari Huus and Nadine Comerford, NBC News

A massive chain-reaction crash on an interstate highway in Detroit on Thursday killed three people, including two children, and left at least 40 injured, local authorities said. That was the first of three major pileups reported on icy Michigan roads Thursday amid blinding snow squalls.  Read the full story

Paul Sancya / AP

Vehicles are at a standstill after a multi-vehicle accident in Detroit on Jan. 31.

Paul Sancya / AP

The front of a car is under a truck after a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75 in Detroit on Jan. 31.

David Coates / AP

Debris sits on the road after multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 75 in Detroit on Jan. 31.

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Rebecca Cook / Reuters

The Lexus LF-LC sports car concept is driven onto the stage during the first press preview day for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan. 9, 2012.

Slideshow: slideshow=

Mike Cassese / Reuters

Upscale sedans, fuel-efficient electric cars – and old-school muscle cars – make their debuts at the 2012 North American International Auto show.

Launch slideshow

Paul Eisenstein reports on msnbc.com that the huge midsize market segment is now up for grabs, with the two long-standing giants, Toyota and Honda, suddenly facing some serious challenges from an assortment of American, Korean and even German alternatives.

“We think we have a real opportunity to keep growing Fusion sales” by delivering a mix of stand-out styling, good mileage and more features than buyers would normally expect in the segment, said Ford’s global marketing czar Jim Farley.

View our slideshow to see many of the new models.

Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images

The MINI Roadster is introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show on Monday.

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The Associated Press reports from TOKYO:

 An outing of luxury sportscar enthusiasts in Japan ended in an expensive freeway pileup — smashing a stunning eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini and two Mercedes likely worth more than $1 million together.

Kyodo News via Reuters

Police officers investigate wrecked luxury cars at the site of a traffic accident in Shimonoseki on Dec. 4, 2011.

Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP - Getty Images

Damaged Ferrari sports cars along a stretch of the Chugoku highway following a 14-vehicle pile-up on Dec. 4, 2011.

Police say they believe the accident Sunday was touched off when the driver of one of the Ferraris tried to change lanes and hit the median barrier. He spun across the freeway, and the other cars collided while trying to avoid hitting his car.

Video of the crash aired by NTV, a major national network, showed several smashed, bright red Ferraris cluttering the freeway.

No one was seriously injured, but police in Yamaguchi prefecture said 10 people were treated for bruises and cuts. Police say 14 cars were involved altogether. Read the full story.

AP

Police officers investigate damaged Ferrari cars at the site of a traffic accident on the Chugoku Expressway in Shimonoseki, Japan, Dec. 4. Thirteen sports cars, including eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini and two Mercedes-Benz, were involved in the accident, slightly injuring 10 people.

Kyodo News / AP

Police officers investigate damaged luxury cars at the site of a traffic accident on the Chugoku Expressway in Shimonoseki, Japan, Dec. 4.

Traffic police spokesman Mitsuyoshi Isejima called the event "a gathering of narcissists," according to Bloomberg.  He said the drivers were aged between 37 and 60 years old.

Related content: Even the crashes are stylish - Million-dollar wreck in Monaco.

Nigel Roddis / Reuters

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain has a pit stop during the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, central England, July 11.

Clive Mason / Getty Images

Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari drives on his way to winning the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit on July 10, in Northampton, England.

Nigel Roddis / Reuters

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain celebrates winning the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, central England, July 11.

Paul Gilham / Getty Images

Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari celebrates on the podium after winning the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit on July 11.

It's been a tough season for Ferrari this year, and even though Alonso's been driving well, this was his first win of the season.  Read the full story here.