DETROIT (AP) — General Motors says its U.S. sales last month rose 5.9 percent as Americans snapped up small and midsize SUVs.

The Detroit company says it sold just over 269,000 cars and trucks last month, matching expectations of industry analysts.

The automaker was led by Chevrolet Equinox midsize SUV. Its sales were up 42 percent to nearly 29,000. Sales of the Buick Encore small SUV rose 29 percent to nearly 5,600.

GM's top-seller, the Chevrolet Silverado pickup, posted nearly an 8 percent sales gain to almost 46,000.

Industry analysts expect total U.S. sales to rise about 6 percent when all automakers report sales numbers on Friday.