Sales of U.S.-built new cars rose 5.5%in...

Sales of U.S.-built new cars rose 5.5%in mid-July, the eight domestic auto manufacturers reported. Auto makers sold 187,410 domestic cars in the eight selling days from July 11 to July 20, up 5.6% from 177,409 a year ago. Car sales moved at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 7.7 million. General Motors’ sales increased 0.5%, rising to 96,746 from a year ago, while Ford’s rose 16.7% to 55,686 units. Chrysler sales fell to 23,362 units, down 15.1% from last year. Chrysler said the decline resulted because it has sold out of its popular Omni-Horizon subcompacts. Chrysler will resume building them in September.