(October 16, 2013) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are changing the way consumers shop for their vehicles, making it critical for dealers to invest in mobile web sites and mobile ads. That's the key message that will be conveyed today by Edmunds.com at the 15th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas, Nev.

Edmund's says consider these statistics:

    • There are an estimated 137.5 million smartphone users in the U.S. right now, and that number is expected to jump almost 40 percent by 2016.

    • Today about 35 percent of Edmunds.com site traffic originates from mobile devices, up from about five percent of site traffic in 2010.

    • A recent study found that mobile users are 88% more likely to do business with an auto dealer that has a mobile site.

"As mobile Internet usage grows, dealers who have embraced a mobile strategy are in a far better position to reach a customer who is ready to buy," says Kerri Wise, Edmunds.com's Sr. Director of Dealer Training. She will share additional data and guidance on how dealers can best serve car shoppers given this trend during her Digital Dealer presentation today.

Edmunds.com offers statistics and insights into today's car shopping behaviors with its 2013 Car Shopping Trends Report available for download by clicking here.