What Is Social Networking Anyway?

In addition to being an information clearinghouse, the Internet has evolved into a social environment where people meet, exchange views, content, and even trade. One of the most familiar examples of this information-sharing-family is MySpace.com. Launched in 2004, it is currently reported that this social network portal to the web has more than 110 million monthly active users and an average of 300,000 new people sign up every day! How can you apply this information to your dealership?

Incorporate social networking into your marketing efforts.
Unlike any other media, the Internet presents automotive retailers with the unprecedented opportunity to build intimate relationships with their customers and prospects. If you have inventory to sell and a Website to promote it, then you can utilize social networking as an online marketing tool. Consider social networking as a platform to brand your dealership and promote you inventory. With the right digital marketing strategy, you can incorporate social networking and online marketing to increase your Internet presence and drive more traffic to your Website, telephone, and most importantly your showroom.

There’s a website for everybody.
If someone is interested in it, there is bound to be a Website devoted to it. That is why adding social networking to content driven digital marketing strategies is one of the next defining evolutionary steps for online auto dealers. This phenomenon, through which dealerships can effectively reach large audiences, will become more significant and valuable than TV, radio, or print.

Social networking is not a trend.
Just the opposite. This type of interaction has become engrained and embedded into Internet society. Just exactly how much your dealership stands to gain from linking your website to a social network, depends upon how quickly you make your move.

Daymond Decker is the product manager for ADP Digital Marketing. Please email daymond_decker@adp.com or call 830-200-9122 for more information.

New Fuel-Efficient Engines From GM

Although the engine variants GM will introduce in 2009 for use worldwide by 2010 are currently intended for use in vehicles marketed abroad, there is no doubt the company will eventually introduce them into the U.S. market when the time is right. The 1.4L direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 8% improvement in fuel consumption. The 1.6L Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will have a naturally-aspirated gas unit and a CNG unit. Meanwhile, click on the image to see what you can do now to increase your summer travel mpg.

Tesla Has its Own Store -- Where Else but L.A.!

Taking a ride in the $350,000 Tesla roadster Validation Prototype 10 was a thrill in itself for the Autoblog guy named Sam. The sleek next-generation electric car is becoming a reality. Already the fledgling automaker has sold 600 and has a waiting list of 400 more. But alas, to date only 4 have been built, sold, delivered -- one to Tesla's chairman and chief financier, one to the co-founder of the company, one supposedly to Bono and one in an actual buyer's garage. But the real thrill for Sam was a tour of the recently opened Tesla Motors showroom in Los Angeles. Just click on the image and take a look for yourself!