Autos drive April factory output to fastest growth in 3 years

Washington

US factory output in April rose at its fastest clip in three years on a surge in auto production, supporting the view that economic growth was rebounding in the second quarter after a sluggish start to the year.

The Federal Reserve said on Tuesday manufacturing production rose one per cent last month, the biggest gain since February 2014 and much faster than analysts expected.

Output of motor vehicles and parts led the expansion, growing 5 per cent in April after dropping 3.6 per cent a month ea…