Microsoft Introduces Tools to Help MSN CarPoint-Affiliated Dealers
26 October 1998
Microsoft Introduces New Tools to Help MSN CarPoint-Affiliated Dealers Improve Service for Their Internet Customers
Free New Tools Designed to Help CarPoint-Affiliated Dealers
Respond as Quickly as Possible to Customer Inquiries
REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 26 -- Microsoft Corp.
today unveiled new tools to help dealers affiliated with the MSN(TM)
CarPoint(TM) online automotive service at http://www.carpoint.msn.com/ improve
service to their online customers. The new DealerPoint tool set in MSN
CarPoint helps dealers track and manage customer leads more easily, respond
faster to customer inquiries, and cut their average per-car selling costs.
The new tools were designed based on feedback from a Dealer Advisory
Council composed of seven MSN CarPoint-affiliated dealers that meet regularly
with Microsoft.
"Microsoft has worked closely with MSN CarPoint-affiliated dealers to
develop tools that make it faster and easier to provide the great service that
consumers demand on the Internet," said Lindsay Sparks, business unit manager
for MSN CarPoint. "We know anything that helps dealers respond more quickly
to customer inquiries can improve their closing rates."
One MSN CarPoint-affiliated dealer said he is confident the new tools will
help him close more deals. "The new DealerPoint features are just awesome,"
said Paul Levine, dealer principal, Brandon Ford in Tampa, Fla. "These tools
will help my dealership better manage its Internet leads and increase closing
ratios substantially."
DealerPoint Tools
DealerPoint contains the following administrative tools:
* Prospect Manager gives multiple salespeople online access to leads
referred by MSN CarPoint, allowing faster responses to customer price
inquiries. It also provides templates for rapid e-mail responses to
customers; the ability to track phone calls, e-mail messages, price quotes and
appointments; and alerts about unread e-mail lead referrals and customers'
failure to respond to dealer e-mail messages.
* Used Vehicle Manager provides an improved interface for real-time
management of inventory listings; the ability to quickly and easily add
detailed options information, photos and promotional text to classifieds;
Kelley Blue Book data to help dealers use vehicle options to price inventory
more consistently; and tools to make it faster and easier for dealers to tag
inventory with online discount vouchers.
* Account Manager and Security features allow sales managers to allocate
MSN CarPoint leads more easily among the sales staff, helping dealers respond
faster to customer inquiries.
Other New Features for Dealer
The tools for the MSN CarPoint Discount Voucher Program, which allows
dealers to offer discounts of at least $500 on selected vehicles, have been
updated to help them minimize their average per-car sales costs. With a few
easy mouse clicks, dealers can use DealerPoint to increase the discount
associated with any vehicle they have carried in their inventory for too long.
For example, dealers can now use these tools to quickly and easily increase
the discounts offered on any cars that have been on their lot for more than
two months.
About MSN CarPoint
MSN CarPoint is a comprehensive automotive Web site that offers complete
car-buying and ownership information. Launched on the Internet in July 1996,
MSN CarPoint allows auto dealers to market their vehicles to meet the needs of
today's Internet automobile shoppers.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for
personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services
for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it
easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of
personal computing every day.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and CarPoint are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners.