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MSN CarPoint Traffic Soars in January

28 February 2000

MSN CarPoint Traffic Soars in January Through Exclusive Web Sponsorship Of the 2000 North American International Auto Show

    CarPoint Attracts More Than 1 Million Visitors to the Virtual Detroit
                                  Auto Show

    REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 28 -- The MSN(TM) CarPoint(TM) online
automotive service ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) brought the 2000 North
American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to life "virtually," doubling the
show's traffic by attracting online visitors from around the world.
    The online success of the official and exclusive NAIAS coverage from
CarPoint contributed to a spike in visitor traffic in January, with more than
6 million unique visitors, according to Media Metrix. CarPoint continues to be
the most-visited online car-buying site on the Web.*
    As the official and exclusive Web site of NAIAS for the third consecutive
year, CarPoint offered streaming video, surround videos and editorial reviews
from the show floor, as well as a preview of the 60 hottest new cars minutes
after they were unveiled to press at the show's exclusive media days. In
addition, all the action could be viewed via the virtual show floor map on
CarPoint, which streamed live views of the show floor onto the Internet.
    "Once again, CarPoint brought one of the world's premier auto shows to
homes, businesses and media organizations across the globe," said
Russell M. Shelton, senior co-chairman of the 2000 NAIAS. "Thanks to its
ability to give site visitors a realistic auto show experience, CarPoint
helped NAIAS double its attendance between actual foot traffic and virtual
visitors, making NAIAS one of the most-visited auto shows in history."
    CarPoint has to date received more than 1 million visitors to its NAIAS
show coverage, supplementing the 802,301 visitors who attended NAIAS in
person.
    Lindsay Sparks, CEO of CarPoint, credited the strong growth numbers posted
by CarPoint in January to the popularity of the site's NAIAS coverage.
"CarPoint continues to push the limits of technology to provide an incredible
virtual auto show experience," Sparks said. "We know we are providing what
customers want, and the numbers show it."

    About MSN CarPoint
    MSN CarPoint is the most-visited online car-buying service, a
comprehensive automotive Web site offering users complete car-buying and
ownership information. First available in July 1996, CarPoint gives users
fast, convenient access to detailed specifications and pricing information,
reviews and advice from leading automotive writers, interactive
decision-management tools, and personalized maintenance and recall
information. CarPoint is available free on the World Wide Web at
http://www.carpoint.com/ (connect-time charges may apply).

    About Microsoft
    Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in
software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range
of products and services designed to empower people through great software --
any time, any place and on any device.

    * Media Metrix Digital Media Audience Ratings, January 2000. Car-buying
Web site category defined by Microsoft.

    NOTE:  Microsoft, MSN and CarPoint are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The
names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks
of their respective owners.