DALLAS — Executives from AutoBidsOnline.com recently developed a contest to award summer internships focused on exploring the impact of social media on new-vehicle sales.

The site wants to leverage this contest into more business development for dealers because of findings from a recent J.D. Power & Associates study. The report indicated that the Web site creating the largest amount traffic by vehicle buyers isn't Google, Yahoo or CNN, but rather is the the popular social networking destination Facebook.

"There are more new-car buyers on Facebook than any site out there," noted Chance Parker, vice president of Web intelligence for J.D. Power.

"The Internet is now where people shop for new cars and that is now beginning to mean social media is how people shop for new cars," Parker added.

With that position as a foundation, AutoBidsOnline.com is looking to hire up to four summer interns who may either work on site with company executives or remotely from home if they choose. 

Site officials want these interns to assist in an entrepreneurial environment while planning, implementing, evaluating and monitoring consumer brand awareness strategies through online marketing and social networking.

The site is encouraging candidates to apply by submitting their original video at www.autobidsvideocontest.com or by submitting their resume via e-mail.

AutoBidsOnline.com plans to announce contest winners on May 15 with the internships lasting from May 31 through the end of August.

"It is no secret we are on the very cusp of a social media revolution," noted AutoBidsOnline.com president Jeff Cook.

"Today, almost every form of advertising and marketing media is being impacted by revolutions in social networking. And with the vast majority of social media expertise existing in our colleges and universities, we are excited to engage students in developing our social media strategy," Cook continued.

AutoBidsOnline.com chief operating officer Shannon McCaig added more reasons why the site is conducting this intern contest program, which she believes will benefit dealers.

"This is a unique opportunity for students to show off their audio, visual and creative skills and gain some incredible experience at the same time," McCaig explained.

"A recent survey by Deloitte indicated Gen-Y car buyers are largely unsatisfied with the overall dealership experience and we are calling on them to help engineer the future of new-car sales," she concluded.