Italy's Lake Como recently hosted the 2012 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, an annual event that celebrates and votes on the world's highest quality cars and motorcycles, much like the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, California. At the end of the weekend-long car show, officials choose the best vehicles and shower them with awards and praise, and this year Alfa Romeo came out on top.

The Italian automaker took home four awards for a few of its vehicles including the Coppa d'Oro (Gold Cup) and the Best of Show award, which both went to the 1933 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS sports car.

"We experienced a high-caliber event with a unique field of competitors," said Karl Baumer, president of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and director of BMW Group Classic. "We are particularly delighted at the splendid turnout of almost 6,000 visitors on Sunday. We witnessed a Concorso that is second to none in terms of sheer class and quality."

The Alfa Romeo 4C drove away with the Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes because the concept embodies all the attributes the brand strives for – Italian styling, performance and technical excellence. This model is a two-seater sports car that features an engine that gets more than 200 horsepower, and technology borrowed from the automaker's 8C line. The 4C concept is soon to be a reality, and one that may reach American shores by 2013, marking the return of the Italian automaker to the U.S. market, according to AutoBlog.

While most people are not likely going to be driving Concorso-caliber vehicles, that doesn't mean their cars cannot run just as well. The professionals at New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center can perform routine maintenance and address necessary repairs to help keep vehicles running smoothly.

As May draws to a close, TrueCar.com predicts auto sales for the month will be the highest since 2007. The automotive website predicts sales in May will be around 1.4 million units, which is an 18.3 percent increase over April's numbers and an annual jump of 32 percent. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate remains the same at about 14.5 million new car sales.

"Pent up demand continues to fuel auto sales at a steady and sustainable level in may," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of market intelligence for TrueCar.com. "All major manufacturers will see double-digit growth this month. Toyota's recovery stemming from the natural disasters has happened at a breakneck pace and sales this month for Toyota will be the highest we have seen in a few years led by strong sales of the Camry and Prius along with strong sales from GM, which will be the highest since September 2008."

J.D. Power and Associates predicts similar success for automotive sales in May, including commercial and used vehicles in the estimates. The positive air around the automotive industry spells good things for those looking to buy used cars in New Jersey. As more people are buying new cars, there will be more used vehicles reaching the lots. This could lead to an average decline in the cost of used vehicles, which has been high due to increased demand. It doesn't hurt that gas prices have been dropping steadily in recent weeks, which has contributed to consumer confidence.

Drivers will be sure to find what they're looking for at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a wide variety of makes and models, and every vehicle is CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride.

While many advancements have been made with alternative energy in relation to the automotive industry, sales of hybrid, electric and other alternative vehicles are still relatively low compared to overall sales. A recent survey conducted by Booz and Co. of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) found many believe the sector will improve, but only if the government continues to provide support.

The report indicates 70 percent of OEM executives are more confident in alternative powertrains than they were last year, with the exception of fuel-cell and battery-electric vehicles. Roughly 71 and 75 percent of respondents claim they are less enthusiastic about fuel cell and electric technology, respectively. However, about 58 percent claim continued government support would boost non-gas vehicles to account for at least 10 percent of the total market share, while only 30 percent think it will succeed without federal backing. Government intervention includes setting up a nationwide charging station infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles.

"One of the challenges we've had is that there hasn't been a consistent energy policy for a long period of time," Scott Corwin, a partner at Booz and Co., told WardsAuto.

The news source indicates many consumers are choosing to purchase hybrids and electric vehicles for the tax incentives rather than for fuel efficiency. If the government removes these incentives, there may be a sharp decline in sales for this sector.

Another issue that may be turning drivers away from alternative energy vehicles is the overall design. Many hybrid and electric vehicles are given unique physical appearances that make them look, in a word, futuristic. But this may not be the best image for the new breed of automobiles, which is why many automakers have introduced alternative drivetrains on their popular models.

Those looking to get behind the wheel of a used hybrid or other vehicles that rely on alternative energy can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The used car dealer in NJ offers a variety of makes and models at affordable prices.

Saab may not be gone forever from the automotive world. A recent report by AutoCar indicates the Swedish brand may soon be picked up by National Electric Vehicle Sweden. This is not the first time the near-dead Saab has had a potential investor, but this company shows more promise than the last. Youngman, a Chinese automaker, recently backed out of negotiations to purchase the European car company.

The Swedish company is the latest business rumored to be considering taking Saab under its wing. The news source reports not much is known about it, and its name was only officially registered earlier this week.

"We have a very anonymous investment company that owns shares in this registered company, Sun Investment, but we still don't know who's behind it," Valdemar Lonroth, a local reporter in Saab's hometown of Trollhattan, told the news source. "We don't know if it's a Chinese or a Japanese company behind this conglomerate. Nobody really has a picture of what kind of resources they have or what their intentions are, besides the fact that they want to produce electric vehicles."

Since the company declared bankruptcy, the few remaining new models for sale were quickly snatched up from dealers. Many owners are holding onto their Swedish vehicles, as there is no certainty the brand will ever be revived or be the same if it does make a comeback.

Those looking to keep their Saabs on the road as long as possible will need to keep up with regular tuneups. The mechanics at New Jersey State Auto Auctions' Total Car Care Center in Jersey City can take care of maintenance, oil changes and repairs to preserve your Saab.

Whether shopping for new or used cars in NJ, drivers should research their options before making a decision, as a vehicle is a major purchase. There are more resources available to motorists these days, and TrueCar.com recently released its latest Performance Scorecards. These monthly reviews assess automakers in a number of categories – including price, sales, incentives and brand loyalty.

This month BMW, General Motors, Mazda and Volkswagen had the most improvement over last month's scores. BMW came out on top of the list in general, with an A+ rating for brand as well as manufacturer. Fiat tied the German car company for first place by brand. Kia, Audi and Land Rover rounded out the top five. The scorecard ratings only rank the top three manufacturers, and Subaru and Jaguar came in just behind BMW with A grades.

On the other end of the spectrum, Volvo took a turn for the worse. TrueCar.com also reports the lowest grades by manufacturer and brand. Volvo's manufacturer score dipped from a C to a D+, putting it in third place. However, the Swedish brand had the worst scorecard, with a D- rating.

It is important to bear in mind that these scorecards are based upon new sales and more recent models. For example, Volvo has a reputation for producing safe, reliable vehicles that will last a long time. Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a used Volvo or any other model can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer offers a variety of vehicles at affordable prices, and each car is CARFAX certified so consumers know they'll be driving away in a reliable ride.

The latest monthly market report by Kelley Blue Book (KBB) indicates the price of used cars may soon begin to drop thanks to the decline in gas prices. As the cost of fuel drops, the demand for used fuel-efficient vehicles will as well. KBB expects the average price of small economic vehicles to drop about 1 to 2 percent over the summer.

"In 2011, fuel prices peaked in May at $3.97 per gallon before falling down to $3.20 per gallon by year end," said Alec Guttierez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book. "Gas prices could repeat or surpass these lows once again this year, especially with Europe in recession."

KBB's report indicates sales of fuel efficient vehicles may lag if gas prices drop. However, the cost of fuel is not expected to dip below the $3 mark, so it is unlikely the reduction in sales will be very significant. Subcompact, compact and hybrid cars only accounted for 21.5 percent of auto sales in April, which is the lowest monthly volume for this grouping of vehicles this year.

Whether drivers want to get behind the wheel of fuel-efficient models or would prefer something bigger, those looking for used cars in NJ can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models so motorists will be able to find something to suit their needs. Plus, all models are CARFAX certified, so drivers know they're getting a reliable ride from NJ Auto.

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a financial company that caters to military families, recently named the 2012 Kia Sportage as having the "Best Value" in the small SUV category. The crossover was chosen for its low insurance rates, competitive pricing and safety features. The USAA chose the cars on its list based on a few categories – purchase price, safety, reliability and fuel costs.

"The Kia Sportage being named to USAA's 'Best Value' list for the second year in a row is not only indicative of this utility's affordability factor, but also validates it as one of the most well-rounded offerings in its segment," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing and communications for Kia Motors America. "The Sportage is the ideal vehicle for anyone who seeks a lively crossover that's comfortable and offers an abundance of safety features and amenities."

The Insurance Institute for HIghway Safety named the Sportage a Top Safety Pick as the car had "Good," ratings across the three main categories, roof strength, frontal offset and side impact tests. The same safety ratings hold true for the 2011 model as well. A new 2012 model Sportage starts around $18,500 before including any additional amenities and features. Edmunds indicates the true market value of a 2011 model is around $16,625, and this cost may encompass things like automatic transmission, an infotainment system and backup warning system.

Those looking for used cars in NJ can stop by New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide variety of makes and models, whether drivers prefer to get behind the wheel of a pre-owned Kia Sportage or a smaller, more fuel-efficient sedan.

The Mazda Takeri concept car, which made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show, was rumored to be the model for the next generation Mazda6. However, AutoWeek reports the new car, due out in early 2013, will not have the same SkyActiv V6 engine as the elegant concept model. Instead, the new car will be outfitted with a SkyActiv four-cylinder similar to the motor found in the Mazda CX-5.

The concept car's 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine was capable of generating 175 horsepower, but the motor that makes it into the production model will be slightly watered down with only 150 hp. However, the decline in power does mean an increase in fuel efficiency.

"We believe that the balance of fuel economy and power that SkyActiv offers is what customers want," a Mazda spokesman told the news source. He also said the company had not yet decided against offering a V6 option, but no decisions have been finalized.

If nothing else, the automaker has promised the new car will be modeled closely after the design of the Takeri. With a strong, muscular body and sleek aerodynamic curves, the concept car was one of the head-turning cars at the NY Auto Show.

The new Mazda6, which will likely be priced in the mid-$20,000 range, may be out of some drivers' price range, but the car has been in production for a number of years. Motorists looking for used cars in NJ may be able to find a used version of this sporty midsize sedan at the New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, so consumers are sure to find the vehicle they're looking for at a price that fits their budget.