AUTOS

GM Strike May Hurt Earnings of Superior Industries: The auto wheel maker said its first-quarter profit will dip about 25% below analyst expectations because of a slowdown in sales due to the recent General Motors Corp. strike. The walkout forced Van Nuys-based Superior Industries International Inc. to slow production at its two largest plants in Pittsburg, Kan., and Johnson City, Tenn. Although Superior also sells wheels to Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp., as well as to Japanese and German auto makers, GM accounts for 45% of Superior’s shipments of original equipment. Before the strike, Wall Street analysts expected Superior’s first-quarter net income to be about $16 million. Superior shares closed unchanged at $24.875 on the NYSE.