GM’s Monthly Sales Rise 7%; Chrysler’s Is Flat

General Motors Corp. said U.S. car and light-truck sales grew 7% in August, boosted by dealer incentives and new models that hit showroom floors. Chrysler Corp. reported flat U.S. sales in August, which was the first month since January in which sales didn’t decline. Both auto makers beat analyst expectations. Among foreign auto makers that reported U.S. sales, Honda Motor Co. said August sales were up 38%--its best month ever. But Nissan Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. reported sales drops of 12% and 4%, respectively. At GM, rebates and other dealer incentives on older models such as the Chevy Astro and GMC Safari played a key role in propelling the increase, analysts and company officials said. “Incentives are driving the marketplace here,” said Eric Goldstein, an analyst with Bear, Stearns & Co. Shares of Detroit-based GM were unchanged at $65.25, while shares of Highland Park, Mich.-based Chrysler fell 31 cents to close at $35.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.