Detroit Plays Down A Miniboom

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SUFFERING COMBINED losses of $13 billion over the past three years, the Big Three U.S. auto manufacturers have each begun to show signs of a rebound. Following a dazzling string of showroom hits that increased sales this year by 25%, Chrysler reported first-quarter earnings of $530 million. Ford's gains have been steadier, but it still managed to double analysts' predictions with net earnings of $572 million. Even General Motors turned a financial corner with quarterly profits of $513 million. Still, all three companies tempered their reports with downbeat expressions of caution. Ford's chairman, Harold A. Poling,...