For the ninth consecutive quarter, the number of auto loan delinquencies decreased compared to the year before. In the final quarter of 2011, the rate fell to 0.46 percent from 0.59 percent in 2010 and this gives yet another reason to be optimistic about the improving economy.

Perhaps most encouraging was that there was no seasonal rise in delinquencies for the quarter, something that usually happens during the final few months of the year. TransUnion found this was just the third time in the last decade where this was not the case. Additionally, given that there has been a growth in the number of auto loans, the fact that there has not been an increase in delinquencies is also encouraging.

"Ending the year flat is particularly interesting, because the number of new auto loans coming onto the books has consistently increased since the end of the recession, a primary driver of which has been an expansion in lending to consumers in the subprime market,"  said Peter Turek, automotive vice president in TransUnion's financial services business unit.

Don't expect anything to change, TransUnion says. There is a considerable demand for both new and used cars, which will urge prospective buyers to make their loan payments on time. Additionally, with the economy expected to continue to improve over the coming years.

Anybody in the market for a used car but concerned that their checkered credit history will prevent them from doing so need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, the dealer is able to offer guaranteed credit approval so you can drive away with a used car in no time.

The good news for the country's auto industry keeps coming. Sales beat projections for the second month in a row in February and rose 16 percent, bringing the rate to its highest levels in more than four years, Reuters reports.

February growth brings the annual sales projections to about 15.1 million cars, which is at a significantly higher level than the beginning of the year when experts set the estimate at about 14 million.

Perhaps most encouraging was that the rise in sales was spurred by American manufacturers. General Motors, Chrysler and Ford all had significant gains in February, which can be chalked up in part to rising consumers confidence as the U.S. economy continues to rebound.

"That in itself is probably a big green-light indicator for consumers," TrueCar.com analyst Jesse Toprak told Reuters. "It's telling them it's OK to buy a car. You'll be fine."

Along with growing consumer confidence, the increase in sales may also be due to the fact that lenders are becoming more likely to give out auto loans. Although gas prices have been on the way up, the fact that loans are becoming more readily available has led to some people looking the other way, according to the news agency.

While some lenders have loosened their restrictions on approving loans, limitations were never an issue at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, NJ Auto is able to offer guaranteed credit approval, meaning that even if you have a checkered financial history you'll be driving away in a quality used car in no time.

Automakers are offering fewer choices when it comes to purchasing new cars, and although the companies say it's with the best interests of the consumers in mind, it may limit the options available to buyers. Instead, prospective drivers may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction and check out a wide variety of used cars to get what they really want.

The trend of limiting options is one that has spread to many manufacturers, USA Today reports. In particular, the new Buick Vernao is only available in 18 combinations of trims and other options. As for the Volkswagen Passat, you may have been able to order in 148 versions of the car in previous years, but now it's only at 15.

Some industry insiders say the new guidelines cut down on complexity, which makes the car-buying process a bit easier. However, others are not quite as optimistic when it comes to the new policy because, with few options for customization, they may get an excess of features.

"You end up buying things you don't want or need in order to get things you do want or need," John O'Dell, a senior editor for car research site Edmunds.com, told the publication.

Although many automakers are embracing the trend, such is not the case for Porsche. The luxury brand caters to a crowd the demands the ability to customize their car, and company officials say that limiting their ability to do so may actually slow down production.

With limited options for some new cars, you may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers enough makes and models to suit the needs of even the most discerning shopper.

Rear-view cameras have become more common in vehicles since they first appeared on the market in high-end luxury vehicles and SUVs, but they will soon be in more cars. The New York Times reports that federal auto safety regulators have decided to require the cameras in all new vehicles by 2014. This measure was first proposed in 2010, and it is expected to go to final vote in Congress this week.

"We haven't done anything else to protect pedestrians," Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, told the Times. "This is one thing we can and should do."

Each week, an average of two children are killed and another 48 are injured because drivers cannot see them as they are backing up, according to Kids and Cars, the nonprofit organization that first drew Congress's attention to these types of safety issues. The hope is that having the cameras in more cars will reduce the number of unnecessary accidents.

Consumer Reports states that every vehicle has a rear blind spot, the area directly behind the car and below the rear window, which can range from 25 feet for a minivan and up to 50 feet for a pickup truck. It may be easy to see an adult walking behind the vehicle, but small children could be standing upright 24 feet away from the car and drivers would have a hard time noticing.

Some new vehicles are equipped with proximity sensors that increase beep frequencies when nearing an object, but they do not define whether the object is a person.

Drivers who want to get behind the wheel of a used SUV or luxury sedan that is already equipped with a backup camera can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. NJ Auto offers a wide variety of makes and models, and every car is CARFAX certified, so consumers know they're driving away in a safe, reliable ride.

Since the fourth quarter of 2011, industry experts have been predicting sales improvements for 2012, and the latest J.D. Power and Associates monthly report indicates the predictions are right so far. The update projects that new-vehicle sales are expected to reach about 857,400 units by the end of February, which is a 5 percent improvement over the same month last year.

"Retail light-vehicle sales in February are strong, which makes us modestly optimistic about the growth of sales going forward," said John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations for J.D Power. "We're increasingly confident that the fundamentals are in place to continue to support an upbeat sector outlook for the coming year."

Improvements from last year were even stronger for used cars, which may be as much as 16.5 percent higher than February 2011, according to recent TrueCar.com predictions. In fact Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends and insights for the automotive website, said he expects automotive sales to reach 14 million units by the end of the year. Until now, experts have projected the totals to reach between 13.6 and 13.8 million units.

Toprak also expects to see a 20 percent surge in sales of fuel-efficient compact cars and hybrid models, such as the Ford Focus and Honda Civic Hybrid, throughout the year. In February at least, used vehicles sales are predicted to outweigh those of new cars two-to-one. Those looking to get behind the wheel of a used vehicle this year can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. Whether you want a fuel-efficient gas-powered car like the Focus, or you'd prefer to drive a hybrid, NJ Auto has plenty of affordable options.

The fear of purchasing a "lemon" when shopping for a used car may soon be nothing more than an anecdote to tell future generations. According to The Associated Press, global competition is behind the increased quality of newer models in the past five or so years. Higher quality vehicles are less likely to require auto repair as long as drivers keep up with regular car maintenance.

J.D. Power and Associates recently released the results of this year's Vehicle Dependability Study, which examines the lasting quality of three-year-old vehicles. The results showed a 13 percent improvement across the board from 151 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles in 2011 to just 132 PP100 for vehicles manufactured in 2009. Since the overall quality has improved across the board, drivers have plenty of options when it comes time to purchase their next vehicle, whether they opt for a new or used model.

"It's very hard to find products that aren't good anymore," Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of Edmunds, told the news source. "In safety, performance and quality, the differences just don't have the material impact."

Until very recently, Honda and Toyota dominated the market for compact cars, but the push for more fuel-efficient vehicles has made smaller cars much more popular among consumers. This rising trend led other automakers to develop their own lineup of smaller vehicles, such as Ford's Focus and General Motor's Chevy Cruze and Sonic.

Whether drivers want to get behind the wheel of a used Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra, New Jersey State Auto Auction is sure to have a number of affordable makes and models right up their alley. All of their vehicles are CARFAX certified so consumers know they'll be getting a good deal.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released the first federally-issued guidelines relating to in-car technology that may contribute to distracted driving. According to the National Highway traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distractions such as using cellphones, adjusting the radio or even talking to passengers, are involved in about 20 percent of car accidents.

Making calls and texting behind the wheel are two of the worst offenders, but most state laws only apply to handheld devices and hands-free technology like Bluetooth is still acceptable. Even if a driver's hands and eyes are on the road, talking on the phone takes their mind off the task at hand, which still counts as a distraction, according to the NHTSA.

The DOT is now calling for automakers to take a more practical and safety-first approach to including potentially-distracting technology in their vehicles. The guidelines recommend that automakers design their electronics to be easier and faster to use. They also call for drivers to be able to operate the technology with one hand, so the other can remain on the steering wheel when an adjustment needs to be made on the go. This does not apply to devices that aid in safety, such as lane-departure warnings and blind spot alert systems.

"Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America's roadways – that's why I've made it a priority to encourage people to stay focused behind the wheel," said DOT Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages."

Distractions increase the risk of crashing, and if this occurs a vehicle may need a few repairs to get back to working order. Drivers can take their vehicles to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center, located in Jersey City and open to the public, for all of their mechanical needs, whether they've been in an accident or just need regular maintenance.

President Obama's 2013 budget proposal was recently presented to Congress, and it includes provisions concerning tax breaks for green vehicles. The Chicago Tribune reports that the plan would do away with the $7,500 tax credit for those who sell electric vehicles, but it would be replaced with a maximum $10,000 per vehicle advanced technology credit, and higher-priced models like the Tesla Model S would have a reduced credit limit. In total, the budget would allocate about $420 million to research and development of green car technologies, according to The Wall Street Journal.

"We're pleased that the president is committed to advanced technology vehicles like the Nissan Leaf," David Reuter, the vice president of corporate communications for Nissan, told the Tribune. "And we're glad that clean energy is a focal point of his budget. However, we need clarification of exactly what vehicles are included since program pas proposed changes from today. Tax credits have helped with the adoption of EVs and other advanced tech vehicles, but we cannot rely on them indefinitely, so this proposal is a positive outline for further discussion."

What this means for consumers is that automakers will have funding to develop new technology to reduce dependence on gasoline and make more eco-friendly vehicles.

AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report indicates that the average price of gas in the U.S. on Valentine's Day was $3.51 per gallon for regular unleaded. With high gas prices like this, many drivers may be looking to get into more fuel-efficient vehicles. They need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction to find plenty of used models with great fuel economy. Plus, all the cars are CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride.

If you think the Super Bowl fanfare is over, you're wrong. Not only does last night's big event call for celebration in New York, but it lets Americans focus on all the commercials that were aired last night. Companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second spot, and the automotive sector made sure it came out on top.

Although Chrysler went a different route its competitors' spots, it definitely packed a punch. The company is being praised for its "Halftime in America" spot, which aired during the Super Bowl's halftime, featuring the gritty voice of Clint Eastwood.

"This country can't be knocked out in one punch," Eastwood said in the commercial, according to the Christian Science Monitor. "We get right back up again, and when we do, the world will hear the roar of our engines. It's half time, America."

Trying to evoke nostalgia, Acura and Honda brought back old favorites. Matthew Broderick starred in Honda's commercial, reprising his role as Ferris Bueller. Throughout the ad, Broderick uses the redesigned CR-V as a replacement for the infamous Ferarri. Acura's ad featured Jerry Seinfeld, playing himself, trying to get the keys to the new NSX before anyone else. In order to persuade the dealer, Seinfeld offers him soup from the Soup Nazi.

Of course, plenty of advertisers made sure to focus on what sells – sex. According to Fox News, Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima was featured in the Kia commercial that didn't get to air in its entirety during the big game. The news provider reports that if viewers wanted to see more, they can log onto Kia's website in order to see a scantily clad Lima  waving a flag in slow motion for five hours.