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PALO ALTO, Calif. — High Gear Media added another website to its stable on Wednesday to focus on the connections between automotive marketing and online social media.

Company executives have a trio of objectives for SocialCarNews.com to be executed by its cluster of staff writers and content contributors.

—How are automakers generating interest and driving awareness and sales through Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and more?

—How the most influential social-media users are changing the vehicle shopping experience.

—How potential buyers can get the best information and possible deals through social media outlets.

"The way content is created and shared has changed forever and these changes affect the manner in which automotive manufacturers communicate with audiences about their products and brands," explained Marty Padgett, director of editorial for High Gear Media.

"Car companies now create viral videos, tweet-ups and Facebook pages — we wanted to produce the definitive brand chronicling where creative auto marketers are going in this new world," Padgett added.

High Gear Media noted that SocialCarNews.com joins its other online properties, including TheCarConnection.com, MotorAuthority.com, GreenCarReports.com and AllCarsElectric.com.