Ford’s U.S. Sales Up 2.6% in January

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford Motor Co. said its U.S. sales of cars and trucks rose 2.6% in January, capping a month of modest industry growth paced by strong gains by Japanese auto makers. Ford’s gains were higher than the small change expected by analysts and were helped by strong sales of sport-utility vehicles, minivans and pickups. The company’s car sales declined. Chrysler Corp. on Monday reported a 2% rise in January sales, while General Motors Corp. reported a 1.5% drop. The industry’s January sales in the U.S. rose about 6% above year-earlier levels, which were the weakest of 1996. Toyota Motor Corp., which includes the Lexus luxury car division, said sales surged 56%. In a separate announcement, Ford said it will quit making the unpopular Aspire subcompact after the 1997 model year to concentrate on its best-selling Escort.