ORLANDO, Fla. -- U.S. auto sales should improve modestly next year as tight credit for auto financing eases and the economy works its way out of the recession, General Motors Co.'s top executive said Thursday, according to The Associated Press.

CEO Fritz Henderson said he expects the auto industry to sell 11 1/2 million to 12 million cars and light trucks in the U.S. next year, compared with about 10 million to 10 1/2 million vehicles this year.

Henderson spoke to reporters in Orlando on the last stop of a nine-city tour.