The automotive market is showing some signs of recovery, with several manufacturers enjoying significant sales increases over the same time last year. While some brands are seeing double-digit gains, most automakers are still down considerably year to date. Subaru and Hyundai are leaving the others in the dust with dramatic improvements, while “old” GM brands Hummer, Saab, and Saturn, as well as Smart and Suzuki, are down 50-plus percent when comparing from November 2009 to November 2008.

Fueled by the redesigned Outback and Legacy, Subaru continues their record-breaking year with a 24-percent sales increase over November of last year and has even surpassed the total 2008 sales tally a month early. Hyundai posted a 46-percent increase over last year and had its 11th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.

Other sales highlights:

Chrysler continued to struggle with a 25-percent decrease over the same time last year, but the Dodge Caravan and Journey sales increased by double digits.

Ford essentially was unchanged from last year, but sales were notably strong for the new Fusion and Taurus.

GM’s numbers declined by two percent compared to last year, but the core brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC) showed a five percent increase.

Honda posted a five percent increase with sales increases from their mainstay models--the Accord, Pilot, and CR-V.

Nissan’s numbers were almost 21-percent more than last year with strong sales from the Altima, Maxima, and Sentra.

Toyota has an increase of nine percent over the November 2008 numbers with sales of the Camry, Corolla, and Prius leading the pack.

We’ll see how these numbers hold up next month as 2009 comes to a close. Many manufacturers will be offering appealing year-end deals to help move “left over” vehicles from the previous model year. And dealers will be anxious to achieve their month- and year-end sales figures, making late December a time when deals can be particularly enticing.

See our Best New Car Deals--good prices on CR-recommended cars.

—Liza Barth