Microsoft to Drive Increasing Customer Value Through Solutions for Automotive Sales and Marketing Community

Industry Executives Discuss Sales and Marketing Trends in Today's Global Auto Industry

LOS ANGELES, May 11 -- During his keynote address today at Microsoft Corp.'s Automotive Executive Summit, Morgan Stanley's Senior Automotive Analyst and Managing Director Stephen J. Girsky will discuss how technology can provide original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a strong competitive edge in the global marketplace. In his speech to automotive executives, Girsky will also elaborate on how sales and marketing trends are evolving to impact product development cycles; integrate operations with partners, suppliers and dealers; provide a new venue for product launches; and strengthen brand equity and customer loyalty, ultimately adding value to the brand.

Girsky delivered his address at the picturesque Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach, Calif. This year's summit agenda includes automotive retailing, dealer integration, in-vehicle technology, interactive brand management and product launches.

Microsoft's presentations will highlight automotive-focused Microsoft(R) technologies that have delivered successful product innovations to OEMs and their dealer networks around the world.

"Automotive OEMs and dealers are in need of solutions that enable collaboration, providing real-time visibility between customer needs and the supply of products within their distribution channel," said John Fikany, general manager for the Automotive and Industrial Equipment Industry Solution Group at Microsoft. "Microsoft .NET and its support of Web services and industry standards such as STAR help our partners deliver solutions that provide real-time information sharing between dealers and OEMs. Our collaboration tools provide a foundation for solutions that enable our customers to make more informed and faster business decisions and align the customer with the right vehicle at the right time."

In addition to Girsky's global keynote address on automotive market trends, Microsoft is hosting interactive discussions relating to the automotive sales and marketing community. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear partner and customer presentations from Accenture and Nissan North America.

Against the backdrop of the Southern California Automotive Executive Summit, Microsoft will donate $10,000 to the University of California Los Angeles' Department of Economics. The donation demonstrates Microsoft's commitment to higher education and its role in driving business innovation.

About Microsoft in Automotive

Microsoft has been working with the automotive industry for more than a decade. In manufacturing, Microsoft works with industry-leading partners to develop solutions based on Microsoft technologies that enable OEMs, suppliers and customers to improve efficiency, effectiveness and knowledge across the business. Through business applications, .NET technologies and enterprise platform support, manufacturers are able to accelerate time to market, collaborate globally with engineers, reduce costs by leveraging the power of the Internet, and increase visibility into their production and supply chain processes. From an in-vehicle technology perspective, Microsoft works with automakers, suppliers, aftermarket manufacturers, service providers and consumers to deliver its leading telematics software platform, Windows(R) Automotive, for building next-generation, intelligent in-car solutions that deliver voice-enabled and connected information, entertainment, communication and services to vehicles.

MSN(R) Autos, launched in October 1995, is the world's largest network of automotive buying and ownership services, visited by more than 12 million consumers each month. From product reviews and surround video features to new- and used-car pricing, MSN Autos helps consumers find the car they love, at a price they can afford. With details on more than 10,000 vehicle makes and models, and 70,000 used vehicles, visitors can research and compare, identify local dealers, and receive instructions for post-purchase service and maintenance. MSN Autos has a network of more than 7,500 affiliated dealers nationwide.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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For more information on Microsoft in Automotive:

http://www.microsoft.com/automotive/