SANTA MONICA, Calif. -

Along with analysis of what models are turning heads at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, Edmunds.com shared its expectations for November new-vehicle sales.

Edmunds.com is reporting that November sales are on pace for a monthly seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 13.5 million vehicles, which would be an increase over the 13.3 million unit SAAR compiled last month.

The site indicated that retail sales are on pace to finish the month around 814,000 vehicles, which equates to a retail SAAR of 11 million. This, too, would be an increase over the retail SAAR of 10.8 million last month.

Looking at some specific manufacturers, Edmunds.com thinks Mercedes-Benz is in store for a great sales month. Analysts believe the German luxury brand will see November sales spike 13 percent higher than the same month last year.

Edmunds.com predicted five brands will see November sales gains of at least 3 percent year-over-year. That group includes BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Not every part of Edmunds.com’s sales forecast was positive, however.

Analysts expects November sales for Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia to soften by 6 percent. They also think Honda’s sales will be off by 5 percent and Nissan’s to be down by 4 percent.

Edmunds.com slotted General Motors’ sales total to be flat against November of last year.

After revealing November sales expectations, Edmunds.com chief executive officer Jeremy Anwyl took a cautious approach in offering more analysis.

“Before you jump to the conclusion that auto sales are finally in full recovery mode, let me point out a more likely scenario,” Anywl began. “As inventories and pricing improves, consumers who deferred a purchase during the Japanese earthquake aftermath, which triggered tough market conditions in the spring and summer, are returning to market.

“We saw this clearly in October sales, and it seems even more so this month,” he continued. “But this effect is limited. Early next year, the market should be back to sales levels that will give a better indication of longer term sales trends.

“Still, even if we are in the middle of what turns out to be a small sales bubble, it still should make for a happier holiday season,” Anwyl went on to surmise.

Auto Show Observations

Edmunds.com has been on site at the 2011 LA Auto Show analyzing all the new vehicles and trends. Below is a collection of insights on individual vehicles and automakers.

—About Cadillac from Edmunds.com senior analyst Jessica Caldwell: “The XTS is the latest addition to Cadillac’s  car family, borrowing on the design cues from the popular CTS. By producing a larger vehicle with a familiar design, Cadillac is building a brand synergy similar to the business model that the German luxury automakers have executed so successfully.”

Also this take about GM’s luxury brand from Edmunds.com technology editor Doug Newcomb: “Cadillac’s CUE is an automaker’s latest effort to integrate smartphones and their Internet-connected content and apps into the dash in a safe and convenient way. It attempts to replicate the iPhone-like touch screen experience, with features like a configurable main menu and swipe commands and a pinch-to-zoom navigation map. The CUE resembles the MyFord and MyLincoln Touch, which have both been criticized for their complexity, so GM hopes its system will be easier to operate.”

—About Ford from Caldwell: “The styling of the new Escape ha a more rounded crossover SUV shape — a departure from the traditional boxy style it has maintained since launch. This draws it closer to CRV and RAV4 visually. And while it appeals to a broader market the downside is potentially losing customers who liked the unibody drive of the traditional SUV, rather than the new crossover shape.”

—About Hyundai from Edmunds.com chief economist Lacey Plache: “Hyundai has hit the right notes with Americans in a down economy and its sales success this year reflects that. But the introduction of the Azera to the market could be a gamble in an era of austerity for the American consumer. How many car buyers are really angling for premium full-size sedans in this market?”

—About Infiniti from Anwyl: “One of the most interesting things about the new Infiniti JX crossover is its back-up collision intervention system. Instead of the now common back-up camera, which passively warns drivers of obstacles, the Infiniti system actively helps prevent an accident. First, with a warning light, then progressively, lifting the throttle and finally applying the brakes, all automatically. This system is a great example of want promises to be a wave of new advanced safety technologies coming to market. Technology that is not designed to help you survive and accident, but instead help prevent an accident occurring in the first place.”

—About Lincoln also from Anwyl: “There’s been a lot of buzz recently about the ‘rebirth of Lincoln.’ But the new 2013 MKS looks too much like the Lincolns that are on the road today, and it’s certainly not the all-new Lincoln we’ve been told to expect. We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what the ‘rebirth of Lincoln’ will really look like.”

—About Porsche again from Caldwell: “The interesting thing about Porsche is the strides that it has made among women buyers. Just last month Edmunds.com found that Porsche has made larger year-over-year female market share gains than any other manufacturer. Much of this surge is due mostly to the success of the Panamera and the Cayenne which have Porsche’s trademark sportiness, but are also capable of hauling the family around town.”

—About Volkswagen from Plache: “The Volkswagen CC will enter a very competitive market with all new versions of popular choices like the Toyota Camry and the Chevy Malibu. And because the CC will be built in Europe as the Euro continues to struggle, it only adds to the car’s uphill battle to find a competitive price point in the high end of the segment as U.S. consumers battle high unemployment and slow income growth.”

And finally from executive editor Michael Jordan: “The new CC brings about the question of the affordability of the German premium midsize sedan. It just shows how hard it is to build cars outside the U.S. and sell them at an affordable price.”

For Edmunds.com’s full coverage of the LA Auto Show, visit http://www.insideline.com/auto-shows/losangeles.