AUTOS

3 Auto Makers Post Sales Gains: The blizzard in the East last month probably depressed auto sales to an extent, but Chrysler, Honda and Nissan all reported gains in their daily sales rates for January compared with a year ago. No. 1 auto maker General Motors Corp. said its truck sales were 2.2% ahead of January 1995, setting a record, but car sales were off 5.5%. Overall its vehicle deliveries in the U.S. were down 2.1%. American Honda Motor Co. sales were 1.4% ahead of last year. Chrysler Corp.’s report reflects the strength of its new minivans, whose daily sales rate was 25% above last year’s and helped Chrysler sales overall to a 7.1% gain. Its overall truck sales, which include the vans, were up nearly 21%. Nissan Motor Co. showed gains for both cars and trucks, for an overall increase of 2.9%. Totals from the companies that had reported by Thursday evening showed the industry’s sales about even with January 1995. Still to report are Ford and Toyota.