It may seem like just yesterday that Ford introduced its SYNC infotainment and connectivity systems, but the American automaker recently celebrated a major milestone. The company sold the 5 millionth vehicle equipped with SYNC, five years after debuting the technology. This connectivity software allows drivers to hook up their mobile devices and MP3 players to their cars so they can access their music and make phone calls without taking their hands off the steering wheel. Ford also includes services such as vehicle health reports, turn-by-turn directions and business search to enhance the driving experience.

"SYNC has helped us evolve as an automaker, to think and act more like a technology company, with a new level of openness and access that has forever changed how we look at our business and respond to our customers," said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Innovation. "Ultimately, SYNC embodies what Ford is all about: going further to transform innovative ideas into products that are affordable, attainable and valuable to millions of people."

SYNC was first included in the 2008 Ford Focus, and as the years went on the company began to offer the service in other vehicles in its lineup. The technology, which allows drivers to control their vehicles with voice commands, is an optional feature when buying new, but those looking to purchase used vehicles might be able to find one with SYNC already installed.

New Jersey State Auto Auction carries a wide variety of makes and models, including a number of Ford vehicles. Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a reliable ride with modern amenities such as Ford SYNC may be able to find just what they're looking for at NJ Auto Auction.

Suzuki is a brand known best for its motorcycles, but the company also had a small lineup of four-wheeled vehicles. However, American Suzuki Motor Corporation recently announced it would be discontinuing the sale of its cars and trucks in the States. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and plans to restructure its business to focus on its motorsports and marine divisions.

Suzuki officials evaluated the automotive branch of the company, and determined there were too many challenges outweighing the benefits of continuing to manufacture cars and trucks for the American market. The roadblocks include low sales, a limited model lineup and the high costs of expansion and maintaining a sales presence in the U.S. The release also cited increasing federal costs and restrictions for automakers as a factor that influenced this decision.

The company plans to market and sell the rest of its current inventory through its dealer network, giving Suzuki fans the chance to purchase new vehicles such as the Equator pickup truck and the Grand Vitara crossover SUV. While American sales of cars and trucks will come to an end soon, Suzuki of Japan will continue to produce similar models, which means American drivers who own Suzukis will still be able to find the parts and accessories they need to keep their cars on the road.

Those who are interested in purchasing used Suzukis may want to head over to New Jersey State AUto Auction soon to find the ride they want. As sales taper off and eventually stop, it will likely become increasingly difficult to find used Suzuki cars and trucks. However, NJ State Auto carries a wide selection of makes and models, so even if car shoppers cannot find their dream Suzuki, there are still plenty of vehicles to choose from.

Automotive insurance is an important part of vehicle ownership, and a recent survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates found overall satisfaction with insurance services is on the rise. The 2012 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study surveyed drivers who have different auto insurance companies and found the overall satisfaction when dealing with physical damage claims has increased six points since 2011.

The average score was found to be 852 points on a 1,000-point scale, indicating more drivers are pleased with insurance services when it comes to appraisals, repairs, settlements and other aspects of filing claims. Drivers are growing more satisfied with their insurance claim results, due mostly to the fact that they are seeing larger monetary returns in the wake of damages to their vehicles. In fact, the survey found the average settlement amount increased approximately $690 in the past year.

"As used vehicle sale prices increase, the value of loss settlement also increases," said Jeremy Bowler, senior director of the insurance practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "According to our Power Information Network, a database of vehicle sales transactions, used vehicle sales prices peaked in May and June of this year, averaging nearly $18,500, compared with approximately $17,700 in January of this year."

Drivers in the New York/New Jersey area seeking repairs on their vehicles following accidents, natural disasters like the recent Hurricane Sandy or other incidents can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer's Total Car Care Center is open to the public and can handle any repairs. Those who are in need of replacement vehicles will find a wide selection of makes and models for affordable prices at the dealership.

Ford recently shook things up with a new ad for its 2013 Fusion that really helps the midsize sedan stand out from the crowd. The company hired Chinese artist Liu Bolin to paint a series of competitor models. Bolin's artistic fame comes from his ability to paint himself into the background, earning him the nickname "the invisible man." So, Ford asked Bolin to paint a Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and even an Audi A4 so they would blend seamlessly with the background. The unique marketing ploy is a literal
representation of Ford's goal of creating an eye-catching sedan that makes similar models appear "invisible."

"We wanted to make a provocative statement with the all-new Ford Fusion, to shake up a segment that isn't exactly known for stylish cars," said Jim Farley, group vice president for Ford's Global Marketing, Sales and Service. "Now, midsize sedan customers can get the best of both worlds – Fusion can satisfy both their rational side while indulging in a compelling design aesthetic that says you've arrived."

Ford introduced the Fusion back in 2006, and ever since it debuted, the midsize sedan has been lauded by automotive insiders and consumers alike for its bold, modern design. The first generation model, produced between 2006 and 2009, came standard with front-wheel drive and a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that cranked out a modest 160 horsepower, according to Edmunds. Ford offered a V6 upgrade for the two upper level trims, the SE and SEL. Drivers in the New York/New Jersey area who are in the market for a reliable used sedan may want to head over to NJ State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a variety of makes and models, and motorists may be able to find a used Fusion with a powerful engine.

Self-driving cars have been on the roadways for some time now – in the testing stages. Google, Nissan and other companies are working hard to perfect the technology that allows cars to drive themselves.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently held a conference to discuss the ins and outs of introducing autonomous vehicles to the consumer market with Google and automakers, according to The Associated Press.

"Automated vehicles offer an important and challenging method for reducing crash risk that we believe holds great promise," David Strickland, head of the NHTSA, told the AP. "We have the chance of … saving thousands and thousands of lives as the vehicle fleet (cars in use today) turns over."

Strickland pointed out that, of the 33,000 traffic deaths in 2010, human error was responsible for roughly 90 percent of the collisions. Cars that can drive themselves may be able to greatly reduce this risk, as Google has only had one reported accident, which occurred when one of the cars was being driven by a human.

As of right now, Google is at the forefront of the driverless car race, and vehicles equipped with the company's technology are being tested on the streets of California, Nevada and Florida. Many automakers are also making efforts to create driverless technology, and the NHTSA will need to develop new methods of testing these automobiles for safety, Bloomberg Businessweek reports. This could take a significant amount of time, which means drivers should not expect to see autonomous vehicles for sale any time soon.

In the meantime, motorists who want to get behind the wheel of safe vehicles can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, and every car on the lot is CARFAX certified, so buyers will know they're driving away in a reliable ride.

When the recession hit, new car sales dropped dramatically, and many drivers held onto their current vehicles longer to save money. Those who did buy vehicles sought out used models, which drove the price up, and some previously owned models even cost as much or more than their new counterparts. Now that the economic environment is improving and new car sales are on the rise, the used car market is seeing changes that benefits drivers.

According to the most recent monthly Market Report by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the overall value of used cars dropped 1 percent in September over August's numbers. Specifically, fuel-efficient models are seeing declines in value, as the cost of gasoline, while still well above the $3 mark, is much lower than it was during the summer months. The value of used cars has been dropping for the past few months, and KBB's report indicates the rate of this decline is much quicker than that of new vehicles, creating a wider gap between the cost for new and used cars.

"As time goes on, expect the gap between new and used vehicles to continue to increase, as used-vehicle values descend from their current levels while supply improves at auction," said Alec Gutierrez, KBB's manager of vehicle valuation.

Not all used models are seeing a widening price gap, however. Vehicles such as the 2011 Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler and Subaru Impreza are still typically selling for prices that are just under those of brand new models. While this may be a disadvantage for those on a budget looking to purchase used models, it also means these particular cars do a better job of retaining their value, so drivers who own these cars may be able to get a good trade-in value to put toward the purchase of their next car. NJ Auto Auction has a wide selection of makes and models for drivers to choose from when they're ready to get rid of their current vehicle.

Gas prices have remained well above the $3 mark for quite some time, and it's safe to say the high cost of fuel is likely not going to change any time soon. This is the main reason so many drivers place fuel economy in their list of important features when shopping for a vehicle. The government is also pushing automakers to produce more efficient vehicles, and many brands are improving performance by reducing weight in addition to developing new technology and better parts.

Ford, for example, recently announced its engineers have developed a lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced plastic hood for production cars. This composite material is not new, but it has mainly been used in racing and high-performance sports cars until now. This material reduces the weight of a hood by 50 percent, when compared to the traditional steel hoods used in most Ford cars.

"It's no secret that reducing a vehicle's weight can deliver major benefits for fuel consumption, but a process for fast and affordable production of carbon fiber automotive parts in large numbers has never been available," said Inga Wehmeyer, advanced materials and processes research engineer for Ford European Research Centre. "By partnering with materials experts through the Hightech.NRW research project, Ford is working to develop a solution that supports cost efficient manufacturing of carbon fiber components."

While automakers like Ford work to develop lightweight materials for future vehicles, drivers can take steps to improve the fuel economy of their current vehicles. Removing unnecessary items from a car can reduce its overall weight. They may also want to get a tuneup at the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey Auto Auction. Getting regular maintenance and fluid changes can keep a car running well, so it gets the most of every drop of gas and helps drivers save at the pump.

When consumers are in the market for a vehicle purchase, many tend to look at the exterior. After all, that's what everyone in the outside world will see. However, while some people may prefer to stand out with flashy colors, it seems as though the majority are going for a more understated look.

According to the New York Daily News, a report from automotive paint supplier PPG Industries says that white and silver are the top auto colors across the globe and make up 42 percent of all the cars produced. Breaking this up, 22 percent of vehicles created were white, while silver was second overall with 20 percent.

This shouldn't come as a shock to many, as the news provider reports that white has dominated for the second year in a row while silver reigned supreme in 2010.

"Buyers want to purchase a color they won't grow tired of over an extended period of time," Michelle Killen, GM's lead color designer for exterior paints, told the news provider.

According to the Wall Street Journal, although the most popular colors have been monochrome, it appears brighter hues are on the rise.

"Color is one of the first characteristics noticed in product design, and it is increasingly being used in everyday items, from cell phones to large appliances, based largely on automotive trends," Jane Harrington, PPG manager of color styling for automotive, told the news provider.

People who are in the market for a vehicle may want to consider heading to New Jersey State Auto, where there are plenty of used vehicles in all kinds of colors.

September proved to be another good month for car sales, as it seems as though more Americans are looking to trade in their current vehicle in exchange for a car with a better fuel economy. As gas prices continue to rise, more people are growing concerned with how much money they're paying at the pump. Because of this, automakers are improving their fuel economy to meet the needs of consumers.

According to TrueCar.com, the average fuel economy for a new car sold was 23.2 miles per gallon (MPG) in September, increasing from 22 MPG the previous year. The rate stayed the same from the previous month.

Jesse Toprak, the vice president of market intelligence for TrueCar.com reports that automakers such as General Motors, Toyota and Honda were all behind the surge, as last year saw a lot of consumers turning to small vehicles in order to increase their fuel economy.

Additionally, it seems as though American automakers are paying attention to this trend, as they averaged 21.2 MPG this September in comparison to 20.2 MPG from the previous year. It was the South Korean automakers that had the most to offer when it came to fuel economy. According to the news source, the average fuel economy from a South Korean automaker increased from 26.7 MPG to 27.5 MPG in a year's time.

Of course, people who want a better fuel economy do not always have to buy new. There are a number of used cars that are smaller and offer more miles to gallon than a person's current vehicle may offer. Individuals may want to consider heading to NJ Auto Auction to look at some of the used cars available and what kind of fuel economy they have.

Drivers with Honda CR-Vs may want to be paying close attention to their model year, as a new recall from the Japanese automaker could affect a lot of people. Christian Science Monitor reports more than 269,000 models from 2002 to 2006 are being recalled due to a problem with the master switch that controls the vehicle's windows.

The recall report, according to the news provider, says that liquids could seep into the door, reaching the power switch for the electrical windows. The problem could result in overheating and possibly even door fires.

Honda is aware of four fires thus far, none of which resulted in injuries, according to the news source. However, this is not the first time Honda has faced a recall for these models.

The New York Times reports a recall in September 2011 was announced for more than 80,000 CR-Vs from the 2006 model year. Additionally, the news provider reports that Honda as a brand has been experiencing a setback in the recall department in general.

At the beginning of the month, more than 1.1 million Hondas had been recalled for potential fire hazards since 2007. The numbers to push it over the edge came from a problem that could have affected more than 573,000 Accords. The issue stemmed from high temperatures in the engine that could cause the power-steering hose to wear down, potentially causing a leak.

Although the brand has been experiencing recalls on their newer models, Hondas are mostly known for their reliability and long life. People who are interested in purchasing a Honda or another reputable used car should look at NJ State Auto Auction, which offers a variety of used vehicles for great deals.