AUTOS

GM Studies Merger of Pontiac, GMC Marketing Arms: The No. 1 auto maker is considering combining the operations as part of its effort to improve efficiency. Company executives said such a move would not occur any time soon. General Motors Corp. said it first wants to complete a realignment of its sprawling 8,400-member dealer network. The Detroit-based company set out last year to close some of its poorly performing showrooms and move others to better locations. In addition, the auto maker wants dealers in some of its seven divisions to sell vehicles side by side. Pontiac cars and GMC trucks would be one combination and Buick, Oldsmobile and Cadillac would be another. Meanwhile, Chrysler Corp., the No. 3 auto maker, raise prices an average of 0.3% on its popular 1996 minivans and its Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee sport-utility vehicles.