Nissan North America, Infiniti Announces Online Investment Challenge
4 October 1999
Nissan North America, Inc. Infiniti Announces Online Investment Challenge with Smartmoney.Com
Online Investment Challenge Combines 'All The Best Thinking' to Give Away an
All-New 2000 Infiniti I30 Luxury Sedan
GARDENA, Calif., Oct. 4 -- Infiniti, the luxury division of
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) in conjunction with SmartMoney.com, announced
today the kick-off of the co-sponsored online fantasy investment competition,
the "Infiniti I30 SmartMoney Challenge." With nearly one in seven stock
trades now taking place online, and online trades representing 30 to 35
percent of all individual trades, this contest is sure to be a big hit among
serious investors and amateurs alike.
The competition, which begins October 4, 1999 and concludes on December
31, 1999, may be an online fantasy game, but it has a very real grand prize --
an all-new 2000 Infiniti I30 Luxury Sedan. Participants could begin
registering for the competition as early as September 29 by logging on to the
competition web-site at http://www.I30Challenge.com, or through a hyperlink from
Infiniti's home page at http://www.infiniti.com or through http://www.SmartMoney.com.
Participants are given $29,465 in play money to invest and maximize
returns during the three-month competition. The $29,465 is no random number
either -- rather the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the
grand prize, the all-new 2000 Infiniti I30. In addition to this grand prize,
13 weekly prizes will be awarded throughout the competition for the best
performance each week.
Contestants can join the Infiniti I30 SmartMoney Challenge between October
4th and December 6th. Weekly status updates will be sent to each participant
showing their standings compared to the competition. At the conclusion of the
Infiniti I30 SmartMoney Challenge, the participant that has maximized the most
returns from the initial $29,465 investment wins an all-new 2000 Infiniti I30.
"Partnering with SmartMoney.com represents a natural tie-in opportunity
for Infiniti," said Tom Orbe, Vice President and General Manager, Infiniti
Division. "It's a perfect partnership. Infiniti and SmartMoney.com are two
brands that recognize quality and value," said Orbe.
The grand prize, the 2000 Infiniti I30 Luxury Sedan, which went on sale
September 4th, offers consumers an unparalleled combination of outstanding
luxury and value at an MSRP of $29,465 (plus D&H fees of $525). The newly
redesigned I30 includes more of everything you'd expect in the luxury car --
increased power, a larger interior cabin and more safety and luxury features.
The elegantly styled I30 Luxury Sedan once again raises the standard in
the luxury class, offering more advanced technology and design innovation.
Refinements and additions to the second-generation I30 include a near-20
percent increase in horsepower, a re-tuned smoother riding suspension, a
powerful standard 200-watt BOSE(R) audio system and enhanced safety features -
including side-impact supplemental airbags with head protection and a new
active head restraint system designed to help reduce whiplash neck injuries.
Infiniti is supported by a network of approximately 150 retailers
throughout North America and offers a range of luxury vehicles including the
Infiniti QX4 luxury Sport Utility Vehicle, G20 sports sedan, I30 luxury sedan,
and flagship Q45 performance sedan. For more information on the complete line
of Infiniti luxury vehicles and the Total Ownership Experience (TOE)
philosophy, visit Infiniti on the web at http://www.infiniti.com or contact the
corporate media line at 310-771-5631.
Backed by Dow Jones and Company and The Hearst Corporation, SmartMoney.com
is a free investment news, tools and advice site. It is known not only for
objective reporting from top reporters and editors, but also for innovative -
and fun - interactive tools designed by an in-house staff of renowned software
developers. With timely and award-winning information and financial tools,
SmartMoney.com provides an indispensable service for people who want the
greatest return on their investments.
Online trading and investing can be exciting and rewarding one minute and
intimidating the next. Before investing -- here are a few tips to consider.
-- Keep your guard up
Never invest based on a 'tip' or on something read on the Internet
without doing independent research - the information may be
inaccurate.
-- Be redundant
Open brokerage accounts with two or more companies and have a backup
Internet Service Provider (ISP) available in case you can't dial up
your usual provider. (Many ISPs offer limited-access accounts for $5
to $10 a month.) That way, you will always have solid backups in the
event your online broker or ISP fails you.
-- Anticipate Internet delays and crashes
For days when the market goes haywire, choose a broker with a "market
meltdown policy" that offers telephone trading at the same price as
online trading, or will waive the difference if you can't log on to
the site.
-- Don't believe everything you hear
Conventional wisdom isn't always wise. Many investment strategies are
misleading and wrong.
-- Keep your costs low
A good rule of thumb is to keep the cost of trading below 3 percent of
your total investment amount.
-- Avoid risky online trading techniques
The decision to invest online deserves just as much care and attention
as does traditional trading through a broker. Each purchase should be
based on sound reasons and thorough research. Online capabilities
might simplify, but should not change the way you invest your money.
Helpful online investing web-sites:
-- For investing tips and Internet courses in investing visit
SmartMoneyuniversity.com
-- For a report on how fast online broker sites are running and for
online broker rankings visit the SmartMoney.com "broker meter" at
http://www.SmartMoney.com/si/brokermeter.com
-- Popular online brokers: Market leaders such as Ameritrade at
http://www.ameritrade.com, Charles Schwab at http://www.charlesschwab.com, Datek at
http://www.datek.com, DLJ Direct at http://www.dljdirect.com, E-Trade at
http://www.etrade.com, Waterhouse at http://www.waterhouse.com
-- Promising upstart brokers: Discover Brokerage Direct at
http://www.dbdirect.com and Suretrade at http://www.suretrade.com
-- New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com