The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Magna International posted slightly lower second quarter earnings on Friday as the impact of a strong United States dollar offset increased vehicle production in North America. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that auto sales in the U.S. and Canada were robust in the quarter as cheaper gasoline and low interest rates drove the shift toward sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. However, the dollar has gained about 20 per cent against a basket of major currencies in the past 12 months, making sales in Canada, Europe and elsewhere less valuable in dollar terms. Magna said currency translation cut sales by $890-million in the quarter. Magna slightly raised its 2015 sales forecast to $30.9-billion to $32.6-billion from $30.8-billion to $32.5-billion, but expects the 2015 operating margin to be about 8 per cent, higher than the 7-per-cent range it forecast in May. In April, it sold its vehicle interiors business to Spain's Grupo Antolin. Last month it said it had agreed to buy closely held automotive transmissions producer Getrag. Net income fell to $483-million or $1.16 a share, from $510-million or $1.16 a year earlier.