AUTOS

Ford Plans to Hike Prices: Ford Motor Co. said it will increase the average price of its 1993 model cars by $599 over current models, while light trucks will go up an average of $563. The No. 2 auto maker said pre-introductory prices effective immediately allow dealers to sell early customers the 1993 models at guaranteed prices. Prices might be higher when models are formally introduced Sept. 24. The announced prices work out to a 2.9% average increase for cars and 3% for trucks. Ford’s popular mid-size Taurus and Mercury Sable are going up 3%, $561 and $587, respectively, leaving them a few hundred dollars cheaper than the least expensive of Chrysler’s new LH cars, the Dodge Intrepid, which carries a $15,930 base price.