AUTOS

10-Day Auto Sales Rise: Auto sales rose 8.7% in mid-February, buoyed by the best sales rate for light trucks since early December, according to figures released by domestic auto makers. Sales of minivans, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles continued their strong pace, rising 26.5% during the Feb. 11-20 sales period and more than offsetting a 1.3% decline in passenger car sales. GM continued to lose car sales and market share, mostly to Ford and Chrysler Corp. Five of six GM car divisions reported lower sales, contributing to an overall 8.5% drop in car sales. GM truck sales were up 23.9%. Ford continued to show sales momentum in cars and trucks, up 4.9% and 15.5%, respectively. An estimate of Chrysler sales by Ward’s Automotive Reports showed car sales up 28.1% and trucks up 42%. Chrysler releases its sales only monthly.