Ford’s Car Sales Drop 11% in April

Ford Motor Co. reported a double-digit drop in car sales in April, leading to a 4% decline in its U.S. vehicle sales compared with a year ago. The industry’s total U.S. sales also fell 4% in April, led by a 6% decline in sales by the Big Three. Japanese auto makers posted a 2% gain in U.S. sales last month, compared with April 1996. European auto makers’ sales were up 20%. Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford said car sales fell 11% last month, compared with a year ago. Ford’s sales of pickups, minivans and sport-utility vehicles increased nearly 1%. Its shares rose 62.5 cents to close at $35.375 on the NYSE.