BUSINESS MEMO: AUTO SALES DROP IN JUNE

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. continued to lag behind its Big Three competitors in June, reporting that U.S. sales of its cars and light trucks were down just over 2 percent from a year ago.

Overall, it was a flat month for the Big Three. Ford, which reported its sales last week, along with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Corp. saw their combined sales fall 1 percent largely because of softer demand for cars.

Toyota, also reporting last week, said its overall sales fell 6 percent, led by a 17 percent decline in car sales. That was offset by a 35 percent increase in truck sales.