Autoweek Media Group Launches shopautoweek.com

DETROIT, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Crain Communications' Autoweek magazine has launched shopautoweek.com, a consumer car-shopping Web site distinctive for its independent editorial content, ease of use and social media-friendly interface.

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"We call shopautoweek.com the 'neighbor over the fence' because we provide consumers with valuable, unbiased information about new vehicles and the overall car-buying process from an avid, educated group of car enthusiasts," said KC Crain, Autoweek and Crain Communications Inc. vice president and publisher.

Currently, consumers can familiarize themselves with the site and seek feedback on their potential vehicle choices through shopautoweek.com's Find Your Match promotion. The promotion highlights the site's interactive and innovative "Notebook" feature. Through the "Notebook," users can store content and comments and invite others to weigh in through e-mail or social networks. It also has an "Ask Your Friends" feature, which lets shoppers solicit valuable opinions from friends and family on Facebook or Twitter.

Importantly, the shopautoweek.com site offers daily content to help consumers reach an informed vehicle-purchase decision. The site's smooth design, created by digital marketing agency Razorfish, uses lifestyle and personality cues to guide users to the new car perfect for them. Original content from Autoweek editors includes unbiased vehicle reviews, industry trend insights and tips on the overall car-buying process.

If shoppers have a particular vehicle in mind, they can quickly navigate to specific information on that vehicle make and model. Or, if shoppers aren't sure what make and model is right for them, they can research vehicles by their needs, vehicle body style or an array of other search options.

Once on a specific model page, users will be able to view photos and specifications highlighting various aspects of the vehicle. They'll also be presented with "What We Think," where Autoweek editors provide their opinions on the vehicle.

"The site is designed to be intuitive for any user and to ultimately guide a shopper to the vehicle or vehicles that will fit their needs," said Dutch Mandel, Autoweek editorial director and associate publisher. "Whereas other vehicle-shopping sites are driven only by data, shopautoweek.com sets out to provide experienced editorial insight combined with the analysis needed to make an informed vehicle purchase."

"The shopautoweek.com site is social in nature," Crain said. "We want the site to serve as a one-stop hub, providing and storing information that car shoppers can take in directions important and useful to them. Features like the Notebook tool help users do just that."

For more information, visit www.shopautoweek.com.

About shopautoweek.com

The shopautoweek.com site delivers an Internet car-shopping experience unlike any other available site. Powered by unbiased insight, opinion and expertise of Autoweek editors, it guides shoppers with a trusted voice married with the latest available data to give consumers both objective and subjective points of view. Launched in September 2011, shopautoweek.com is an authoritative online resource for anyone researching a new vehicle. Consumers will easily find vehicle specifications, features, reviews and pricing information to help guide their vehicle-purchase decision. The shopautoweek.com site is part of the Autoweek Media Group which includes Autoweek magazine, autoweek.com and Autoweek Productions. Autoweek Media Group is owned by Crain Communications Inc., publisher of leading industry trade publications Advertising Age and Automotive News, among others, and is based in Detroit, Michigan.

Follow shopautoweek.com on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/shopautoweek), Twitter (@shopautoweek) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/autoweekusa).

Related Links:

Autoweek magazine's new car shopping resource - shopautoweek.com

SOURCE shopautoweek.com