Briefs

McDonald’s says it will open vegetarian restaurants next year in two northern Indian cities that are pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Sikhs. The meat-free outlets are a first for the world’s biggest chain, which hopes to boost revenues by catering to local tastes. Menus at the restaurants in Amritsar and Katra will include the McAloo Tikki burger, with a mashed potato patty, and the Pizza McPuff, a vegetable and cheese pastry. McDonald’s already keeps beef and pork products off the menu at its 271 outlets in India, where a majority of the population are Hindus and Muslims. The country’s growing urban workforce is driving rapid growth in fast-food sales.

Chrysler (F:IM), Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Honda all reported better-than-expected U.S. sales in August as new models such as the Dodge Dart, Ford Escape, and Chevrolet Spark continued to gain. Sales stateside are on pace to climb at least 10 percent for the year, topping 14 million vehicles. That would make 2012 the best year for auto sales since 2007. The industry’s rebound has spurred hiring at automobile assembly plants from Michigan to Alabama.