AUTOS

Ford Announces California Lease Program: The auto maker said it will lower or hold steady short-term lease rates for all 1994 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks in California. Ross Roberts, sales manager for the Ford Division, said the program is designed to regain market share from Japanese manufacturers, who are being forced to raise prices because of the rise in the yen’s value. “We are effectively rolling back prices on our leases,” he said. A 1994 Taurus can be leased for $249 a month--$30 dollars less than a 1993 model--with the same $1,500 down payment. Ford is the strongest of the Big Three in California, controlling about 22.3% of the market, slightly less than its U.S. share. Although overall vehicle sales in California are down about 17% in 1993, Ford’s are up 6% largely because of its aggressive two-year leasing program.