AUTOS

Ford to Increase Some Prices: The Dearborn, Mich.-based auto maker said it will raise prices on its 1997 Ford and Mercury cars and light trucks by an average 1.2%, or $281 a vehicle, over prices of comparably equipped 1996 models. Ford Motor Co. was the last of the Big Three auto makers to announce its 1997 prices but did not release those for its Lincoln line of luxury cars. Ford spokeswoman Joy Wolfe said the Lincoln price changes were not expected to change the companywide average. The base price for the top-selling Ford Taurus will remain at $18,545. The lowest-priced Ford, the Aspire, will start at $9,530, up from $9,220. The highest price, the Explorer Limited Edition sport-utility vehicle, will start at $35,530, up $55.