Ford to report sales increase

Ford Motor Co. says it will report its first monthly sales gain in nearly two years tomorrow, thanks to a much-needed boost from the federal government's cash-for-clunkers program.

The Dearborn automaker would not provide specific figures until Monday and told The Detroit News that it could not tell if its sales would have increased without the federal aid to consumers. The program, which offered car buyers up to $4,500 to trade in their old cars for new, more fuel-efficient models, went into effect on July 24. It has since been suspended because high demand quickly used up the money allocated for it by Congress.

President Barrack Obama says he is hopeful that lawmakers will approve the funds necessary to restart the program soon.