By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales rose strongly in April as consumers spent more on motor vehicles amid an improvement in supply and increased spending at restaurants, providing a powerful boost to the economy at the start of the second quarter. The broad rise in retail sales reported by the Commerce Department on Tuesday suggested demand was holding strong despite high inflation and souring consumer sentiment. It assuaged fears of an imminent recession. The economy’s underlying strength was underscored by other data showing production at factories accelerated in April…