GM, Chrysler Report Lower February Sales

General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Corp. reported declines in domestic car and truck sales for February, and two Japanese auto makers posted strong increases in U.S. sales. GM, which continued to suffer from low availability of several key new models, said sales fell to 356,124 vehicles, down 7.1% based on daily selling rates, with car sales down 9.3% and truck sales down 4%. Chrysler said sales declined 2.8% from February 1996 to 198,983 units, with car sales down 6.1% and light-truck sales down 0.3%. Honda Motor Co., which benefited from the dollar’s strength against the yen, reported a 9% jump in February U.S. sales to 66,289 units. Nissan Motor Co. said its sales climbed 15.4% to 58,979 units. Ford Motor Co. is expected to report sales today.