DETROIT, Mich. - General Motors says February sales turned out better than some observers expected.

Although overall car and truck sales declined one percent form a year ago, the Lordstown made Chevrolet Cruze posted a 21% sales increase over a year ago, making it the best February ever for the Cruze.

GM says that it sold 21,836 units of the Cruze last month, compared to 17,947 in February of 2013.

February Cruze sales were up 30% from January when 16,828 models were sold.

"Weather continued to impact the industry in February, but GM sales started to thaw during the Winter Olympic Games as our brand and marketing messages took hold," said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. "Car and crossover sales were particularly strong at Buick and Chevrolet, and we continue to have a strong mix of pickup sales.

"Despite a slower start to 2014 than most people expected, we look forward to a very successful year, backed by plenty of new products and what should be the strongest GDP growth since the end of the recession."