US official: auto sales may gain, jobs may not

Sales of US cars should improve slightly this year, but high unemployment among car workers is not likely to ease much, Commerce Department official Robert Dederick said.

He also told the Senate Labor Committee the Reagan administration did not plan any major program to aid US car manufacturers.

Mr. Dederick said the reasons high unemployment is unlikely to ease include increased automation, more small cars, greater use of foreign-made components, and a decline in demand.