Foreign Auto Makers Make Big Gains

Japanese and European auto makers made significant sales gains in the United States in February at the expense of the Big Three, according to company reports. Ford Motor Co. said its sales were off 3% last month compared with February 1996, forced down by an 8.5% decline in car sales. Together, the Big Three’s sales tumbled 5% last month, with truck sales down 1% and car sales off 9%. General Motors Corp. said its sales declined 7.5%, while Chrysler Corp. posted a 3% decrease. The figures are based on the daily sales rate. It was the second straight month of impressive sales for the major Japanese and European auto makers. Germany’s BMW said it sold more of its U.S.-made Z3 roadsters than any other model, which contributed to a 42% overall increase and a record February. U.S. sales of Ford’s British-based Jaguar Cars Inc. were up nearly 36%, while Audi of Germany posted a 31% gain, for its best February in 11 years. Japan’s Honda Motor Co. said its U.S. sales were up 9%, and Nissan Motor Corp., also of Japan, reported a 15% gain.