AUTOS

U.S. Car Sales Soar in Japan: The sales increase has occurred as the Big Three auto makers have introduced right-hand-drive vehicles and cut prices, the companies said. Sales between January and May rose to 13,094, up 106% from the same period last year, according to industry data. Last year, 19,335 U.S.-made vehicles were sold in Japan, up 37.2% over 1992. U.S. auto makers at a Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. seminar attributed the gains to models adapted for the Japanese market. Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp. said their strategies are based on right-hand-drive cars and less expensive models they have introduced in Japan. General Motors Corp. said it plans to introduce right-hand-drive cars and is in talks to lower its prices.