The official numbers have not yet been tallied, but industry experts across the board are projecting that November's car sales rates may have reached pre-recession levels. Edmunds.com, for example, predicts that about 1.1 million cars and trucks were sold in the U.S. last month, Forbes reports. If this estimate is accurate, that would increase the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) to 15 million units, which is the highest SAAR since February 2008. When the recession was in full swing, the annual rate was closer to 10.4 million in 2009, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

"Everything is kind of moving along almost in concert now," Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting for LMC Automotive, a Detroit-area industry consulting firm, told Businessweek.

Not only are car sales increasing, but the amount people are paying for vehicles is on the rise as well. TrueCar.com reports the average transaction price during November was $30,832, a 1.1 percent ($346) increase from October and $335 more than the same month in 2011.

"Industry average transaction prices climb once again with consumers' continued appetite for highly contended vehicles," said Jesse Toprak, senior analyst at TrueCar.com. "Today's consumers value a nicely equipped vehicle as much as they do a low cost of ownership. Automakers are getting better at providing all the modern conveniences consumers come to expect for more of their models, resulting in higher overall prices hence improves profitability."

Drivers don't necessarily need to shop for new cars to find the amenities they want, either. There are plenty of previously owned vehicles that already have a number of great features such as infotainment systems and handheld device compatibility. Car shoppers in the New York/New Jersey area can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to find the used cars and trucks they want at affordable prices.

Fiat only recently re-entered the American automotive market after a nearly 30-year hiatus, and the Italian automaker is already expanding its lineup. The 500 Series currently consists of the standard 500, the Turbo and Abarth performance models and the Cabrio. These four variations are all equally sized, but otherwise they are essentially just different trim levels of the same car. Fiat is looking to give drivers another, larger option next year with the introduction of the 2014 Fiat 500L. This car is larger, with enough room for rear doors and five passengers instead of the cozy four-seater coupe setup of the other 500s.

"The all-new Fiat 500L the reach of the Fiat brand in North America and will keep our customers within the brand as their lifestyle needs expand," said Tim Kuniskis, head of FIAT Brand North America – Chrysler Group LLC. "Those who love the style and performance that only the Italians can create, can now enjoy space for five, functionality, practicality and value. The Fiat 500L is the whole package, and it now brings its unique flavor to the American market."

The 500L is expected to become available to new car shoppers by mid-2013, which means it could be some time until this model begins to appear on used car lots. However, the original 500 has been on the market since 2011, which means drivers who want to get behind the wheel of an Italian-made car may be able to find a used model at New Jersey State Auto Auction. These small cars are fuel efficient and easy to navigate for city drivers, plus their sleek modern design offers an aesthetic appeal that many other subcompact vehicles do not have.

These days, there are countless variations of safety technology available for vehicles, and the Auto Alliance, a trade association on 12 car companies, including BMW, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz among others, is helping drivers get a better picture of what is available at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The organization has created a YouTube channel devoted to showcasing the various Driver Assist technologies that are offered by different automakers. This includes adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, parking assist, lane departure warnings and blind spot warnings. In addition to online videos,
Auto Alliance will also be displaying the various systems at the LA Auto Show, which runs from November 30 to December 9.

"This is the next generation of 'gotta have it' auto technology, and when people see the systems in action, they are amazed," said Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO of Auto Alliance. "More than 90 percent of crashes involve driver error of some kind, so automakers created a range of driver assist systems that aid the driver for brief periods of time to help avoid an accident."

A recent opinion poll conducted by the group found that roughly 66 percent of drivers would like to see at least one of the Driver Assist features in the next vehicle they purchase. Since many of these devices and safety features have been available for some time, there is a good chance of finding the technology in a used vehicle. Drivers in the New York/New Jersey area can head over to NJ State Auto Auction to check out the wide selection of makes and models. Not only may they find a previously owned car with advanced safety features, but every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX Certified, providing additional assurance that they car they choose will be reliable. 

A car's emblem is not just how you can identify which brand it is, it also embodies the soul and spirit of the company, and Buick may soon be doing away with its classic symbol. According to the Detroit Free Press, the company is attempting to reinvent itself to appeal to a younger market. Buick models such as the Verano and LaCrosse are often considered to be ideal for older drivers, but their designs have been refined and modernized over the years.

For more than 50 years, Buick has emblazoned a tri-shield circular logo on the front of all its cars, and the news source indicates that it is likely the company's new design will not drift too far from this concept. There have been hints that the change may be as simple as switching from the current chrome emblem to one that utilizes colors.

"There's people who can look at the badge of a car and know exactly what they are and what time period they're from," Jeremy Dimick, curator of collections at a Buick gallery in Flint, Michigan, told the news provider. "You look at the car and know it's a Buick for sure. Any future logo you would think would retain components of that. The brand identity is so wrapped up in that."

Drivers who prefer older Buick models, such as the discontinued LeSabre, Electra and Invicta that the three shields of the logo represent, may be able to find previously-owned models they want at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, and every car on the lot has been CARFAX certified. This allows car shoppers to rest easy knowing they're getting behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle.

While many are looking forward to Thanksgiving, automotive enthusiasts are looking a bit further into the future to the Los Angeles Auto Show. Kicking off the week after turkey day, the car show is the first large scale North American event at which automakers from around the world will debut the coming year's models for the U.S. market. Typically, many companies will leak information about the vehicles they are going to unveil ahead of the event, and Kelley Blue Book has made it easy for car lovers to take a look at what is coming ahead of the show.

The vehicle valuation and information provider has compiled details of a few of these new cars on its website, KBB.com. This includes the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, Kia Forte and Sorento, Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid and Subaru Forester. Details of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, Honda Civic and Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster will also be available on KBB.com.

"The festivities don't begin until the turkey leftovers are gone, but we've already started mounting our full-coverage assault on the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show," Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "The roster of new faces at the first North American event of the new season promises to be formidable again this year, and includes at least 20 world debuts along with a similar number of vehicles set to make their first appearances in the U.S. trim."

When the new season begins for the automotive industry, a plethora of vehicles become available to drivers. Many will trade in their current models for new ones, which will expand the used car inventory, making it a great time for other drivers to get behind the wheel of a previously owned model. They may be able to find a 2012 or 2013 vehicle at New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has more than four acres of cars to choose from.

In the years since hybrid vehicles were first introduced, alternative fuel cars have grown significantly in popularity. While they are nowhere near outnumbering gas-powered models on the road, General Motors recently projected that it would have as many as 500,000 cars and trucks on the road that are partially or completely run with electric power within the next four to five years.

"The plug-in offers a unique opportunity to change the way people commute. Plug-based solutions will play a significant role in our technology portfolio going forward," said Mary Barra, senior vice president of GM's Global Production Development. "What started out as a technology proofpoint… has turned into a real-world starting point to push EV technology further and faster than we thought possible five years ago. The unique propulsion technology pioneered in the Volt – the same technology that will be featured in the Cadillac ELR – will be a core piece of our electrification strategy going forward."

General Motors is far from the only automaker that offers alternative fuel options in its lineup. In fact, most major car companies manufacture hybrid and electric models these days. Many of these models, such as the Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt and Honda Insight, have been on the market for a number of years. This means that alternative fuel options are becoming more available to used car shoppers, and those who are in the market for a green car may be able to find the ride they're looking for at New Jersey State Auto Auction.

The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, including hybrid vehicles as well as fuel-efficient compact cars and sedans. Even if drivers aren't quite ready to make the switch from gas-powered to hybrid or electric, they'll still be able to drive away in a car that can help them save some money at the pump.

Automakers often redesign the models in their lineups in order to keep their offerings fresh, modern and competitive, and Cars.com recently announced that Toyota and Honda came out on top among redesigned for the 2012 model year. The Honda CR-V and Toyota Camry were the most successful redesigns out of 61 different models, based on sales and a number of other factors.

"Not all redesigns are equally successful, but the Camry and CR-V scored big among top-selling models," said Kelsey Mays, an industry analyst for Cars.com. "The Camry drew huge appeal from car shoppers, and the CR-V has been equally popular among shoppers and has also been a Cars.com favorite this year, winning the Cars.com/USA Today Compact SUV Shootout."

Successfully redesigned cars like the CR-V and Camry can help move brands forward, but they do not devalue previous models. Those looking for used cars can still find older versions of these and other models that offer many features, such as infotainment systems, sunroofs and power windows. In fact, they may be able to find recent cars, as many drivers may trade in their current 1- to 3-year-old vehicles in order to purchase the new, redesigned cars.

This means used car shoppers will have more options when they visit New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has nearly four football fields of used cars, trucks and SUVs, and every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified. This allows drivers to buy with confidence, knowing they'll be getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride.

Used cars are still a hot commodity, even though new vehicle sales are picking up and decreasing the demand for pre-owned models. The experts at Kelley Blue Book are projecting that the value of used vehicles will rise ever so slightly in the first quarter of 2013. Demand was high during the recession, as many consumers looked to used cars to save money. As the economy continues to recover, more people are buying new vehicles, which not only alleviates pressure on the used car inventory, but the trade-ins are helping to increase the number of available used models.

This initially lowered the value of used cars a bit, but high gas prices and recovering inventories have kept values from dropping too much. The first quarter of 2012 saw used car values jump up 2.5 percent, and KBB states this increase was due to high gas prices that hovered near the $4 mark. For the first three months of 2013, KBB predicts that used car values may increase as much as 1 percent across all vehicle classes. This is based on the assumption that gas prices will remain constant and the used-vehicle inventory will grow during this time period.

Based on these presumptions, KBB indicates that the value of small cars and hybrid models will increase more than any other classes – as much as 2 percent. Not only will these models remain popular despite gas prices that are expected to remain around $3.50 per gallon, but drivers in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy may be especially inclined to opt for these models, as they are fuel-efficient and more affordable than larger models. Car shoppers in the New York/New Jersey area can find the ride they're looking for at NJ State Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of makes and models.

As 2012 draws to a close, dealers are beginning to clear out their inventories to make room for a new crop of vehicles, and 2013 looks to be a crowded year for new vehicles. The Los Angeles Auto Show, which will be held on November 28 through December 9, is set to be the stage for the debut of nearly 50 new vehicles.

"The auto industry in North America is experiencing its best annual sales rate since 2008, and this positive growth can clearly be seen in the number of debuts, broad range of vehicles and transformative technologies on display at the show," said Andy Fuzesi, general manager of the L.A. Auto Show.

This event is one of the major venues for automakers to unveil their latest technology and concepts, and this year a good portion of the new cars will feature alternative fuel technology. Roughly half of the vehicles making their debuts have either entirely electric motors or feature plug-in electric technology, a handful rely on clean-diesel and many gasoline powered models are boasting fuel efficient engines that get as much as 40 miles to the gallon.

With so many new vehicles entering the market, the used selection is likely to grow when drivers trade in their current models for new cars. Drivers who are looking for pre-owned models that are just a few years old will want to head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction to check out their selection of affordable options. Every car on the lot is CARFAX certified, so car shoppers know they'll be driving away in a reliable ride when they show up at NJ Auto Auction.

With Christmas just around the corner, MINI is getting into the spirit of the holidays by sending a convoy of its vehicles to deliver children's Christmas letters to Santa Claus. The company's latest publicity stunt, "MINI Goes to Santa Claus," is about more than just holiday cheer, as the project will also involve breaking a world record.

When the MINI convoy departs on a journey to Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle, the cars will contain precious cargo – letters to Santa written by children and adults from around the world. The company hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the longest wish list to Santa Claus. In order to fulfill this goal, MINI is reaching out to people in 16 different countries, asking them to submit their letters to Kris Kringle to add to the collection. People from many European countries including Poland, Germany, Italy, the UK, Portugal, Greece and Romania are expected to participate, and Russia, the U.S. and Singapore will help out as well.

The convoy is set to embark on the nearly 1,900-mile trip on November 24 from the BMW headquarters in Munich, Germany. As they wind their way across Europe, spectators will be able to see the many different vehicles from the MINI lineup, including the new MINI Paceman. The Countryman, Hatchback, Roadster, Coupe, Clubman and Cabrio will be in the mix as well, and when they arrive at their destination, they will be greeted by Rauno Aaltonen. This famed racecar driver won the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally behind the wheel of a classic MINI.

Drivers who want to take their own journeys can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to check out the dealer's selection of used vehicles. There is a wide selection of makes and models, including a number of MINI vehicles.