General Motors Co. says its February sales rose 11.5 percent compared with the same month last year thanks to new models and pent-up demand from rental car companies and other fleet buyers.

The Detroit automaker says sales of its Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC brands rose 32 percent for the month. GM plans to keep those four brands and is phasing out Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer and has sold Saab.

The company says much of the sales increase was due to sales of new models and demand from fleet buyers. Fleet sales generally mean lower profits to automakers than retail sales to individuals.

GM and other automakers are reporting U.S. sales on Tuesday.