BUSINESS MEMO: CAR SALES UP

With the economy in high gear, Americans continued to pour into auto dealerships in April, boosting sales of cars and light trucks by about 11 percent.

Some industry leaders said sales got a temporary boost with cut-rate financing deals and cash rebates that were too high to sustain. But nearly every automaker reported sales gains, with newer models driving much of the increase.

At its seasonally adjusted sales rate, the industry is on track to sell 18.2 million light vehicles this year, compared to the record 16.9 million last year, according to Morgan & Co. of West Olive, Mich.