Chrysler Sales Up, Profit Down

Chrysler Corp. earned $596.4 million in the second quarter this year, a 25% drop over the same period a year ago despite record sales, the nation’s No. 3 auto maker said today.

Chrysler earned $5.02 a share on second-quarter sales of $6 billion, a sales record for any quarter. Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca said the company generated operating revenue of $852 million in the second quarter this year but paid taxes of $255.6 million to pare its net earnings.