Now, more than ever, automakers are trying to connect with consumers beyond dealership visits and test drives. Their approach: social media. Whether it’s through “Facebook-ing,” “Tweeting,” or “YouTube-ing,” automakers want you to interact with their brands as much as possible, even when you are not in-market for a new car.

A brand Facebook page, like BMW’s, allows you to become a “fan” and “like” the page, as well as interact by commenting on photos, news, and videos posted by BMW. You can even post some photos of your own. BMW and other automakers also use Facebook to post any events or contests that they want fans of the brand to take part in.

Twitter pages, like Chevrolet's, give you instant updates of timely bits of information (compressed into 140 characters or less) that companies feel are important to share with the rest of the world. This includes links to news, contest information and status updates. “Followers” of Chevy or other brands can then reply to or “retweet” any of these messages, having a conversation with the automaker or any of its followers via Twitter.

If watching videos is more your style, then using YouTube can help you interact with brands like Toyota. From YouTube, you can watch videos from the automakers, including vehicle demos, customer and product manager interviews, and, of course, car commercials. Like with Facebook, you can comment on the various videos posted.

The automaker’s social networking pages usually are very easy to find: simply search for the brand right on the social media sites or click the social media site link directly on the company’s website. Some automakers even have special social media sites devoted to a certain models, like the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Sienna, and Chevrolet Volt, with more model-specific information. So if you’re not already, get connected with your favorite auto brands on some of these social media sites and stay up-to-date with all their latest and greatest info!

CarLocate.com has gone social, too! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or watch our videos on YouTube!