AUTOS

Auto Makers Report Record U.S. Sales: Surging demand for cars and light trucks made 1994 one for the record books for Chrysler, Toyota and Mazda. Chrysler Corp. said total vehicle sales were up 7.6% from 1993 and truck sales were up 14.7%. Toyota said its U.S. sales were 4.5% ahead of 1993, despite a strong Japanese yen that put pressure for higher prices on Japanese imports sold here. Toyota’s sales of cars built in the United States were 11% higher than in 1993. Mazda Motor of America reported that 1994 sales were 8.9% higher than 1993. Its passenger car totals set the company’s seventh consecutive record. General Motors’ sales report was delayed by data gathering problems, and Ford Motor Co. elected to wait until today to release its results. In other year-end reports, Honda said its ’94 sales were up 9.6%, with sales of U.S.-produced Hondas up 17.2%.