U.S. Auto Sales Expected to Rise

Most of the major auto makers will report July sales of cars and light trucks Tuesday. U.S. sales are forecast to rise 0.3% as higher sales at DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler arm and General Motors Corp. more than made up for demand for European and Asian models. Sales at Ford Motor Co. are expected to have risen 0.7%, according to the average estimates of four analysts. Sales at GM probably fell 0.2%, while Chrysler sales probably slid 12% because of an aging lineup. Asian and European-based auto makers were helped in July by new models and increased production, analysts said. Honda Motor Co.’s sales are expected to rise an estimated 7%, helped by demand for its Odyssey and redesigned Acura CL and TL cars. Toyota Motor Corp., the No. 4 auto maker, might have a flat month because of tough comparisons to the year-earlier month, when it had one of its best months.