Are you one of people who love staying on top of automotive trends?  There are countless magazines and thousands of websites that celebrate the latest vehicle developments. But why should you care? What does a trend have to do with commuting to work in comfort? How can a trend keep your teenager safe?
The short answer is that knowledge is power. The longer version is that the more you know, the more you can find a car to completely and cost-efficiently meet your needs.
How do you stay on top of trends without making a time-consuming commitment to monitor the automotive industry? There are three easy ways that won’t cost you a dime.

Step 1 – Go to a virtual auto show.
The Internet is the obvious choice for trends, but the specific sites might escape you. What is our favorite source of new car trends? Auto shows. Every few months, manufacturers showcase the best concepts, features and vehicles you might see in the future. Each show is a rich source of information and ideas.
Simply google “auto shows” or “latest car trends” and choose from the list of possible sites that pop up.  Once you’ve found a favorite or two, bookmarks them for future reference.  Another easy and direct way is to go to Ford.com to see what’s coming up for the new model year and what trends are available on your favorite Ford car or truck

Step 2 – Reach out to friends.
Everyone knows someone that loves cars. Maybe it’s a relative or a coworker who spends most weekends doing a bit of wash and wax. Regardless, it’s easy to find people that can help. The next time you’re in the market for a car, ask your friends to visit your Ford dealership with you. They’ll help walk you through the new features you don’t want to miss.

Step 3 – Turn the road into a research laboratory.
Ever notice that you don’t see certain vehicles until you start thinking about them? All of a sudden, that SUV you’re considering is everywhere. The same is true of features you’re curious about. Make a short list of the things that matter most to you – whether that’s the size of a sunroof, how running boards look or a thousand other options – and start checking for those features. You’ll be surprised by how often you’re able to evaluate what works for you just by staying observant in traffic.

There might still be an obscure tailfin released in Detroit you won’t find out about for months, but that’s OK. The point of this exercise is to focus on the things that matter to you. There are thousands of trends but only a handful that are going to make you happy.