DETROIT — Brisk demand for SUVs and pickup trucks — and a strong Memorial Day weekend — was expected to push U.S. auto sales to a seven-year high in May.

General Motors, in the throes of a recall crisis, surprised with a 13 percent gain over last May. GM said May was its best month since August 2008. Sales of its GMC Yukon and Buick Encore SUVs more than doubled, and buyers snapped up the new Chevrolet Corvette.

Nissan’s U.S. sales jumped 19 percent over last May on strong demand for new vehicles, including the Rogue SUV.

Chrysler’s U.S. sales jumped 17 percent, boosted by strong demand for the new Jeep Cherokee small SUV. Chrysler said its Jeep brand sales jumped 58 percent and set an all-time monthly sales record, with 70,203 vehicles sold in May.

Ford’s sales rose 3 percent. The company said it was a record month for the Fusion sedan and Escape SUV, which both topped 30,000 sales. Lincoln luxury brand sales were also up 21 percent as the new MKC small SUV went on sale.

But Ford’s truck sales dropped 4 percent as the automaker cut back on incentives.