As 2011 LA Auto Show Opens to the Public, Edmunds.com Publishes 'Car Shopper's Guide to Auto Shows'

As 2011 LA Auto Show Opens to the Public, Edmunds.com Publishes Car Shopper's Guide to Auto Shows'

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — November 18, 2011 — Auto shows are a playground for car enthusiasts, but they can also be valuable resource for shoppers in the market for a new car. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, lays out a game plan that consumers can follow in "A Car Shopper's Guide to Auto Shows."

"The first thing any car shopper should do before attending an auto show is to plan a course of action," says Ronald Montoya, consumer advice associate at Edmunds.com. "They should print out the floor plan for the show that they're going to attend and circle the locations of the automakers whose cars they want to see. This will help them plan the most efficient route along the show floors, which are often quite large and can be spread out among convention center halls."

To help with research before the show, Edmunds' InsideLine.com has full advanced coverage of every major U.S. and international auto show, with overviews of the new cars and interactive features on display.

Edmunds.com suggests the following additional tips for shoppers looking to make the most out of their auto show expeditions:

• Avoid the crowds — The opening weekend of any auto show draws the biggest crowds, making it difficult to get uninterrupted access to the cars that are most interesting. To minimize crowds, try to go to the show on a weekday, preferably as soon as the doors open.
• Compare vehicles — An auto show allows you to compare the greatest number of cars in the shortest amount of time and distance. Don't just look at the car that interests you the most; be sure to check out its competitors, too.
• Talk to the reps — One of the best things about an auto show is the lack of sales pressure. Most of the people staffing the manufacturers' exhibits are not salesmen. The auto-show reps have to be well-schooled in the cars on display, so don't hesitate to ask the many questions you may have about the cars.

For a full look at "A Car Shopper's Guide to Auto Show's" please visit http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/a-car-shoppers-guide-to-auto-shows.html.

Shoppers who find their next new car at the auto show can use Edmunds.com's new car inventory tool to find the vehicle on dealer lots at http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-to-use-the-edmunds-new-car-inventory-tool.html.

Edmunds also offers a comprehensive guide for first-time car buyers at http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/first-time-new-car-buyer-guide.html.

About Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)

Edmunds publishes Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site and hosts the most established automotive community online. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.edmunds.com, makes car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and otherwise on the go. InsideLine.com is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.insideline.com, features the wireless Web's highest quality car photos and videos. AutoObserver.com provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edmunds.