The fallout from the Japanese earthquake and subsequent tsunami is still unfolding, but it already appears that the quake will have major effects on the auto industry in America.

Despite many of Honda, Toyota and Nissan's Japanese factories operating at limited capacity, it's unknown when the country's shipping will be straightened out, nor whether maller parts suppliers will be able to rebuild. For the time being, many are predicting a small shortage on some popular models exclusively manufactured in Japan, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Fit.

That means that many buyers are accelerating their purchase timelines and making offers on vehicles now, leading to a spike in prices. These cars were already in high demand thanks to the recent increase in fuel costs, but the situation in Japan is complicating matters by leading to dealer shortages and high prices on the remaining models.

Fortunately, those considering these models could be in luck – if they have a trade-in. Brian Allan, general manager at Galpin dealerships in Los Angeles, told USA Today that many dealers are looking for used cars right now since the recession cut down on the number of trade-in vehicles, which means higher prices for trades can take some of the sting out of the price increases.

Drivers who are interested in smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles will have a decision to make: act soon before prices really skyrocket or hold off until the hubbub dies down. Either way, they might want to consider shopping at New Jersey State Auto Auction for deals on any type of vehicle. 

The massive earthquake that struck Japan on Friday has forced the country's major automakers to suspend all production at their manufacturing plants indefinitely, as the companies take stock of the damage caused by the natural disaster.

Japan was rocked by an 9.0-magnitude earthquake, which also triggered a subsequent tsunami. Many of the factories for Toyota, Honda and Nissan are located in the central part of the main island, which only suffered minor damage from the earthquake and avoided the tsunami completely. However, the Tohoku region, just north of Tokyo, was hit particularly bad, and the three companies suffered damage to more than a dozen plants in the area.

In addition, the status of the part suppliers used by the companies is unknown at this time.

"Our first priority on Friday was, are our people OK?" Nissan communications and marketing director Simon Sproule told the Detroit News. "What's uncertain now is the extent of the damage to suppliers, particularly small suppliers in remote areas. That's what we're looking at now."

All three automakers have released statements that reveal they are still trying to determine the extent of the damage. In terms of vehicles sold in the U.S., most are made at plants located within North America. However, some select models, like the Scion xD and xB, Acura RL, Honda CR-Z and Toyota Yaris are made exclusively in Japan and are imported. There is currently no timetable for when production will resume.

The whims of car buyers can change frequently, but one of the biggest influences in purchasing decisions is the current state of fuel prices.

When fuel prices were down throughout 2010, many automakers reported sales gains for SUVs and pickup trucks. However, now that the average price for a gallon of gas is back up to $3.50, shoppers are increasingly looking to hybrids and compacts, USA Today reports.

A recent survey by AutoTrader found that 53 percent of respondents indicated that they were considering switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle as a direct result of rising prices. A similar poll by Kelley Blue Book found that four out of five consumers were influenced by gas prices in February, which was an 11 percent increase over January.

Those trends are showing up in sales figures as well. As compared to February 2010, Toyota's Prius hybrid saw a 70 percent increase in sales last month, according to AutoData. The Honda Civic and Ford Fusion hybrids similarly saw increases of 54 and 12 percent, respectively.

Drivers looking to save money on their next vehicle may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction. The company offers a wide range of a fuel-efficient cars for sale at affordable prices. 

Three major automakers have issued recall notices for some popular used car models, with nearly 75,000 vehicles recalled in total.

Honda recalled the most vehicles, with the company putting out a notice for more than 35,000 Civic Hybrids in the 2006 and 2007 model years. The company says that there may be a problem with the cars' voltage converter, which provides power to the motor. Should the converter fail, the engine could possibly stall. Honda claims that seven people have contacted the automaker with reports of stalling, while 82 warranty claims were made with regard to the converter.

Toyota will also be recalling vehicles, specifically FJ Cruisers, Sequoias, Tacomas, Tundras and Land Cruisers made between 2008 and 2010. Approximately 22,000 of these vehicles may have an issue with the tire pressure monitoring system, which may fail to notify a driver when their tires are running low on air.

Finally, Chrysler has announced that it will be recalling nearly 20,000 Jeep Wranglers from the 2010 and 2011 model years, with the issue being attributed to the fasteners on the axle. The company revealed that the fasteners may become loose, which could potentially cause a loss of control in the vehicle.

Drivers in the market for a new or used vehicle should consider New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide range of vehicles at affordable prices.

The final sales figures for 2010 are in, and there's been quite a shakeup in the rankings of automakers by global sales.

Toyota was able to retain its title as the world's largest automaker, despite a significant challenge from General Motors. In a year marred by recalls, Toyota saw its global sales lead dwindle, but still managed to sell 8.42 million vehicles, edging out GM's total of 8.39 million cars sold worldwide. Volkswagen was a distant third with 7.14 million vehicles sold.

Hyundai and its Kia brand had a fantastic year, as the two nameplates combined to sell 5.74 million vehicles, making it the fourth-largest automaker in the world. That was enough to push it past Ford by about 400,000 vehicles.

The biggest story, however, might just be Nissan, as the Japanese brand's alliance with French automaker Renault is paying dividends. Nissan surpassed Honda as Japan's second-largest automaker for the first time in decades, with strong showings in India, Russia and China. Although Nissan and Renault totaled their vehicles separately, a combined tally for the companies would make it the third-largest automaker in the world, unseating Volkswagen.

As the auto industry begins booming again and manufacturers start introducing new models, it's a great time to shop for a vehicle. Those searching for a car may want to check out New Jersey State Auto Auction, which boasts a massive selection and rock-bottom prices.
 

The Prius has been the top selling hybrid of the last decade, and whether an eco-conscious buyer is shopping for a new or used car, it's likely near the top of the list. So it should come as no surprise that Toyota is looking to parlay its successful model into an entire range of offerings.

At the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, the Japanese automaker announced the new "Prius family" consisting of the existing Prius and three brand new models, one of which is still in the concept stage. The company hopes that the varied offerings will appeal to a broader customer base than the existing sedan Prius can.

First up is the new Prius v, which the company says stands for "versatile." This hybrid wagon is designed to compete with crossovers, SUVs and vehicles aimed at families.

Going in the opposite direction in terms of size is the Prius c, the compact Prius. Although still just a concept, Toyota hopes that this version of the Prius will be able to take on smaller hybrids, like the Honda Fit, and provide an affordable option for eco-conscious consumers.

Finally, the company also unveiled the new Prius Plug-in, which is expected to go toe-to-toe with the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and other EVs rumored to be in the works by other automakers.

The Prius can be a bit expensive, so drivers looking for a hybrid option now may want to check out the used car market for some slightly more affordable options.