GM US sales up 2 percent in October

DETROIT — General Motors Co.'s U.S. sales rose 2 percent in October, led by the Chevrolet Cruze compact and Equinox crossover.

The company sold nearly 187,000 cars and trucks last month. Car sales were up 4 percent and trucks were up 2 percent. But sales of the company's crossover sport utility vehicles fell 1 percent.

The GM sales increase probably won't be as big as those reported by other automakers who report sales on Tuesday. The company says it had strong sales in October 2010.

Cruze sales nearly tripled from last year, Equinox sales rose 18 percent.

Sales overall were expected to rise last month to the best pace in two years. People who put off buying cars last summer because Japanese brands were in tight supply returned to the market.