American-made SUVs enjoy solid June

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Chevrolet, Ford

Although gas prices are still high, that hasn't deterred drivers from getting behind the wheel of a new American-made SUV. According to USA Today, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler all saw strong June sales of their SUVs.

Surprisingly, the sales of SUVs even outpaced that of all U.S. automobiles. Specifically, the cars jumped 28 percen since 2010, compared to just a 7 percent rise in sales of other cars. Additionally, American-made utility vehicles sold better than international models as well, as Japanese-made cars actually had a 1 percent drop.

The best-selling model among SUVs in June was the Ford Escape. Thanks, in large part, to its smaller size, this compact vehicle enjoyed a 43 percent sales jump compared to June sales last year. The Ford Explorer and Ford Edge also performed reasonably well, the news source reports.

In addition to Ford, Chrysler group's Jeep Wrangler remained one of the most popular American sport utility vehicles.

Whether one is looking for a more compact Ford Escape or rugged Wranlger, New Jersey Auto Auction carries plenty of SUVs at affordable prices.

Demand for used cars continues to rise

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Posted in General Auto News

Although growth in the new car market remains slow, the same cannot be said for the sales of pre-owned vehicles. According to Tulsa World, demand for used cars has been so high in recent months that the average selling price is up 5.7 percent compared to last year, much to the delight of proprietors across the country.

With gas prices still high, it comes as no surprise that most consumers are looking to get behind the wheel of a more fuel-efficient used vehicle. Even still, larger cars like SUVs and used trucks are still selling relatively well, a sign of the high demand.

Though the need for used cars is a good thing for some businesses, other dealerships are finding it hard to get enough vehicles.

"We probably sell five used cars for every new car, so this is big business for us," Mike Frizell, who operates a Chevrolet dealership in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, told the news source.

Consumers who are looking to pick up a used car of their own may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers everything from fuel-efficient sedans to spacious SUVs to powerful trucks at affordable prices.

Camry experiencing a challenge from Sonata

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Hyundai, Toyota

The Toyota Camry has long been the best-selling car inside the United States, and while that may very well be the case again this year, the popular vehicle has lost substantial ground to the upstart Hyundai Sonata, and according to Bloomberg is looking to separate itself once again.

Coupled with the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan, Toyota has seen sales of the Camry dip 31 percent compared to its best year ever – 2007. Comparatively, the Sonata has experienced a 35 percent jump after a revamp in its design last year.

"Sonata became a very honorable contender in the market,"’ Yoshimi Inaba, Toyota’s North American chairman, told the news source. "We do have good respect for the model, and the sales figures show it’s increasing quite a bit."

Perhaps the biggest reason for the boost in sales has to do with the fact that Hyundai has been making a push to boost fuel economy. The news provider reports that the Sonata gets 35 miles per gallon compared to the Camry's 32.

Muscle cars see growth in June

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Chevrolet, Ford

Hearkening back to the glory days of muscle cars, Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge are all offering powerful classic rides that not only appeal to a new generation of drivers but will certainly grab at baby boomers who lusted after the original versions of these iconic vehicles.

According to The Wall Street Journal, sales of all of the cars – the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Challenger – are on the way up. They are in fact outpacing the June growth of more family-friendly passenger cars that the big three automakers are most well-known for.

The trio, all of which bare a striking resemblance to their forebears, are not only nice to look at but pack a serious punch. The news source reports that the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 boasts 444 horsepower, while the 2012 Camaro ZLA offers 550 horsepower.

Executives say that most of the cars are being purchased either by 20 to 30-year-olds or 45 to 55-year-olds.

"We definitely see more than a baby boomer audience," Chevy marketing executive John Fitzpatrick told the Journal.

Muscle car enthusiasts looking for a powerful used vehicle may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which has plenty of models at affordable prices.

Pick-up conversion kit unveiled for Jeep

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Posted in Auto Brands News

Fans of Jeep have been without a pick-up truck option since the manufacturer discontinued the Comanche in 1992. Now, thanks to a move by Chrysler's Mopar parts brand, consumers will now have the option to convert their Wranglers into a pick-up.

The kit, dubbed the JK-8 Independence, will cost drivers a little under $5,500 and features everything form side panels to a steel floor bed to a fiberglass hardtop, according to USA Today. The company debuted the conversion kit earlier this year to drum up interest, and it appears to have worked.

"Wrangler is already one of our most accessorized vehicles," Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Mopar, told the news source. "There is a lot of interest and enthusiasts who are looking for a Jeep pickup."

This isn't the first conversion kit that Mopar has released this year, either. In May, they unveiled the Ram Runner which allowed a Ram pick-up to be turned into an off-road truck.

Whether looking for a pick-up truck or just simply a Jeep Wrangler, New Jersey Auto Auction has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

NYPD purchases Chevy Volts

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Posted in Auto Brands News, Chevrolet

In its relatively short life, the revolutionary Chevrolet Volt has made waves in the auto industry, and now it's ready to head into law enforcement as well. USA Today reports that the New York Police Department recently bought 50 Volts, making it the first police force in the country to use them.

The addition of Volts seems like a logical move for the NYPD, as the force has already employed the use of electric golf carts and scooters. Additionally, some officers have also been driving the hybrid Toyota Prius. Although the Volts will only be used for traffic duty, Mayor Michael Bloomberg says it's an important part of making the Big Apple more green.

"This is the latest and largest-ever addition of electric vehicles to the city's fleet, which is already the largest municipal clean-air vehicle fleet in the nation," Bloomberg said in a press release. "We will continue to lead by example."

Individuals who are looking to get behind the wheel of a fuel efficient used car will want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers a bevy of makes and models at affordable prices.

Honda to release Natural Gas-powered Civic this fall

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Posted in Auto Brands News

Honda has been among fuel efficient cars for the last decade, and now the popular manufacturer is taking things to the next level. The company is set to debut its 2012 Civic Natural Gas car this fall.

The new model will be an improvement on the already-impressive gas mileage of the Civic, and it is well-suited for an eco-friendly attitude thanks to the fact that it burns natural gas. It has especially low emissions in addition to the high gas mileage, which is up substantially from the 2011 model. In addition, the cars will be eligible to travel in the high occupancy lane in California by 2015.

"Civic GX drivers in California have long enjoyed the benefits of driving a compressed natural gas vehicle, whether it was saving time commuting in the carpool lane, paying lower fuel prices, reducing dependence on oil or reducing their CO2 footprint," said Elmer Hardy, senior manager of alternative fuel marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Whether looking to lower their carbon footprint or simply save some money on gas, a Honda Civic is an excellent choice for drivers. New Jersey Auto Auction offers plenty of fuel-efficient cars at affordable prices.

CNN offers tips to find the best trade-in deals

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Though some automakers may be less likely to offer incentives and rebates than they were in months and years past there are still a number of ways that you can find a good deal if you know what to look for and how to approach the buying process according to CNN Money.

One of the most important things to determine is how much your current car is worth. It may be difficult to come to terms with the figure, especially if it's lower than what you may have thought, but when it comes time to trade in your car, you'll be glad you have an educated opinion on just how much value your ride has.

Doing so is especially easy as well, the news source reports. All that's required is visiting Kelly Blue Book's website to find out how much you'd likely get for your car if you sold it yourself. (This can be made simple by visiting Kelley Blue Book's website to find out how much your car would be worth if you sold it yourself, the news source reports.

Along with knowing the price of your own car, you should be prepared about the prices the dealer will offer you. Coming armed with the knowledge of how much the model you're looking purchase goes for will allow you to avoid getting taken advantage of. Luckily, there are a number of websites available, such as AOL Autos and Edmunds.com, that can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

Finally, CNN suggests being prepared to be wary of dealerships that will try to get you to purchase unnecessary add-ons after you've bought your car. Experts say that everything from extended warranties to upgraded security systems are usually not needed.

In addition to providing consumers with a few tips on saving money, the news source also offers what it thinks are some of the best values when it comes to cars. Perhaps the most surprising choice is the the powerful Ford Mustang convertible. Analysts say that this sporty ride is one of the best deals out there.

"The Mustang convertible is a drop-top bargain, relatively practical, and a blast to drive," CNN Money's Peter Valdes-Dapena writes. "It's also amazingly fuel efficient, considering its performance."

Those looking for a more family-friendly model at an affordable price can look at the Hyundai Veracruz. This crossover provides relatively high fuel-efficiency and is being sold at a very affordable figure.  

Jay Leno tests 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

Jay Leno is almost as famous for his affinity for cars as he is for his run as host of the Tonight Show. So it comes as no surprise that he was recently chosen to be among the first to drive the latest Volkswagen Beetle.

The venerable comedian was offered the opportunity to fly to Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, and test drive not only the 2012 Beetle, but also the oldest known version of the iconic car, a mint-condition 1938 model.

Though the antique Beetle was certainly a treat, it was the new one that really made an impression with Leno. Volkswagen recently unveiled the updated design, which is much sleeker than in previous years. It also has a model available with a new turbocharged engine.

"The thing that astounds me about this car is how sophisticated and how much power it has," Leno said of the 2012 variety.

Drivers who want to pick up a reliable used Volkswagen may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Manufacturers offer price cuts on certain trucks

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Posted in General Auto News

Consumers waiting to find a good deal on a new or used pick up truck should wait no more. According to USA Today, many manufactures are overstocked with trucks and are looking to sell them at affordable prices.

There are several reasons for the growing number of trucks made available, but perhaps the greatest is due to the fact that manufacturers saw a bump in sales earlier this year and ramped up production. However, the economy has since slowed, leaving businesses with more than they originally expected.

Specifically, the news source reports that General Motors is offering more than $5,300 off the GMC Sierra and $4,880 off the price of the Chevrolet Silverado. Additionally, Toyota is slashing prices on the Tundra by more than $2,500, while Ford dropped about $3,750 from its F-Series.

Experts say that the good deal may not last for a long time, either, as similar price drops have often been short-lived.

Those looking to get behind the wheel of a used Ford or Chevy truck may want to go to New Jersey Auto Auction, which has many makes and models at affordable prices.