Small and midsize SUVs push Ford sales up 5 percent last month for best April in 9 years

Ford says its U.S. sales rose 5 percent last month for its best April in nine years.

The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker sold more than 222,000 cars and trucks last month, led by small and midsize SUVs.

The revamped Ford Edge midsize SUV posted its best April sales ever at just over 13,000. That was a 78 percent increase over a year ago.

Ford Escape small SUV sales were up nearly 5 percent to almost 26,000.

Sales of the F-Series pickup, Ford's top-selling vehicle, fell 1 percent as the company continued to ramp up production of a new model with an aluminum body.

Industry analysts expect total U.S. sales to rise about 6 percent over April of last year when automakers report their numbers on Friday.