Chrysler’s Sales Jump 8% in April

Chrysler Corp. said its U.S. vehicle sales shot up 8% last month, as a 17% rise in light-truck sales and 31% jump in sport-utility sales more than offset an 8.5% decline in car sales. The Big Three auto maker’s sales were helped by some incentives that began in March, but a new rebate program aimed at current Chrysler owners won’t be reflected in sales until May, said David Healy, an analyst with Burnham Securities Inc. Honda Motor Co. broke an April sales record that dates to 1989 with a 12.5% increase. Car sales rose 17%, led by a 26% surge in Accord sales. Toyota Motor Corp.’s sales jumped 10.5%, as its luxury Lexus division’s sales climbed 51%. But Nissan Motor Corp., which has had slumping sales in recent months, posted a 24% decline in April. Its light truck sales were off 37%.