The conditions are right for a surge in auto sales this spring, and it looks like manufacturers are on pace to have their best year since 2008. Thanks to an improving stock market, more affordable cars and steady job growth, consumers are becoming more likely to get behind the wheel of a new car, AOL Autos reports.

For a clear picture of how well automakers are doing at the moment, you need look no further than Kia. The South Korean company posted its best month ever in March, selling 50,000 cars for the first time in its history, with the Optima and Sorento performing especially well.

"Kia is on a tear, and has had a tremendous surge in consideration on our website," AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley told the website. "They have done everything right for a while–good provocative design like the Kia Soul, value pricing, increasing quality and engaging advertising to get people to notice,"

American manufacturers have also had a very successful spring so far. In particular, Ford has seen a surge in sales with fuel-efficient cars being especially. Specifically, the Focus enjoyed a 78 percent growth in sales in March, up to an all-time record of more than 28,500 units sold, according to the website.

The number of people heading out to buy new vehicles may be good news for drivers who are more interested in purchasing a used car. As people trade-in their older rides, there will be plenty of inventory available.

If you're interested in getting behind the wheel of a used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models, there's something for everyone, and since all vehicles are CARFAX certified, you know you're getting a reliable vehicle.