AUTOS

Ford’s Sales Dip: The Dearborn, Mich.-based auto maker’s U.S. vehicle sales fell slightly in July, reflecting the industry’s sluggish performance for the month. Ford Motor Co.’s car sales rose 0.3% over July last year, helped by strong sales of the Taurus. Sales of minivans, pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles fell 0.4%. Sales of Ford’s Explorer fell for the fourth straight month. The industry sold 1.29 million vehicles in the U.S. last month, up 1% from a year ago. Sales in July are often distorted by normal factory shutdowns and high incentives given by auto makers to clear out inventories ahead of the new fall models. Ford did better than General Motors Corp., which reported a 2.5% decline in July sales, but poorly contrasted with Chrysler Corp., which recorded a 19% climb.