EARNINGS

Superior Industries International Inc., the world’s second-biggest maker of auto wheels, said fourth-quarter profit rose 46% on sales to General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Net income for the Van Nuys company increased to $22.4 million, or 83 cents a share, from $15.3 million, or 58 cents, in the same period a year earlier.

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* DaimlerChrysler said sales at its Mercedes-Benz luxury division rose 1% last month as higher demand in the United States and Asia more than offset a drop in Western Europe.

Mercedes-Benz sold 81,100 units, compared with 80,300 in the year-ago month, the automaker said. Mercedes-Benz sales in the U.S. rose 4% last month but declined 6% in Germany, its largest market.

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Toll Brothers Inc., the largest U.S. builder of luxury homes, said fiscal first-quarter home-building revenue rose 16% from a year earlier, as home sales increased 5.8%. Revenue was $557.9 million, up from $482.7 million a year earlier.

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Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. said fourth-quarter earnings rose 50% as the company sold more automotive parts and lowered interest costs. Net income was $23 million, or 32 cents a share, compared with $15.7 million, or 22 cents, in the same period a year ago. Sales increased 8.4% to $841.6 million from $776.6 million.

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AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. auto retailer, said fourth-quarter earnings soared as the company reduced expenses. Net income rose to $79.4 million, or 26 cents a share, from $6.9 million, or 2 cents, a year earlier. Sales fell 12% to $4.5 billion from $5.1 billion, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., company said.