New domestic auto sales rose 6.7% in...

New domestic auto sales rose 6.7% in mid-September compared to the same period a year ago, the seven domestic makers reported. Industry experts said, however, that there was no clear sales trend emerging. Sales reports were skewed, they said, because a number of new 1989 models were being introduced during the period and because dealers were seeking to clear out unsold 1988 cars. On an annualized basis, the mid-September sales would equal a yearly sales rate of 7.4 million, down slightly from the 7.6 million rate so far in 1988, but still above the 7.0 million rate for the past 30 days. Among Detroit’s auto makers, Chrysler reported the biggest gain during the period, a 12.7% increase, while GM and Ford reported increases of 7.1% and 3.4%, respectively.