MSN Carpoint Launches Carpoint.Ca to Provide Canadian Consumers With Comprehensive Online Car-Buying Resources MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
11 September 2000
MSN Carpoint Launches Carpoint.Ca to Provide Canadian Consumers With Comprehensive Online Car-Buying Resources MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
No.1-Visited Consumer Site in United States Introduces First French
And English Language Car-Buying Site in Canada
TORONTO, Sept. 11 MSN(R) Carpoint(TM) online automotive
service, the most visited car-buying site on the Web, today announced the
official launch of Carpoint Canada ( http://www.carpoint.Ca/ ), bringing the
most popular online car-buying service in the United States to Canadian
consumers for the first time.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
As part of the MSN.Ca network, Carpoint.Ca will serve as the new auto
channel providing Canadian consumers with comprehensive car-buying services,
up-to-date news and reviews, and safety information, all tailored to the
unique needs and interests of Canadians.
Carpoint.Ca, modeled after the U.S. site's technology and design, will
make it easier for all consumers to find a car they love at a price they can
afford. Carpoint.Ca will feature special reports, industry news and detailed
automotive reviews by noted Canadian automotive journalists Daniel Heraud and
Gerry Malloy. Car dealers in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver,
British Columbia, will participate in the new car-buying service first.
"The launch of Carpoint.Ca's leading auto-buying services supports our
goal to provide Canadians with the most relevant content and services on the
Web," said Judy Elder, general manager of MSN.Ca. "We're delighted to be able
to tap into CarPoint's demonstrated expertise in helping consumers research,
find and buy the car of their dreams online."
Canadian automotive journalist Marc Lachapelle is the site's editor in
chief, overseeing editorial content and news. "We're excited to bring this
rich and valuable service to all Canadians," Lachapelle said. "By providing
Canadian consumers with the leading resources and services they need and want,
Carpoint Canada will make it easier for them to make informed decisions when
purchasing a new vehicle."
Lachapelle is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada
(AJAC) and the former editor of Le Monde de L'Auto Magazine. He has received
numerous accolades, including Canadian Automotive Journalist of the Year and
AJAC honors for professionalism in journalism and photography.
Carpoint.Ca will also work with strategic partner The Reynolds and
Reynolds Co., a leading provider of integrated information management systems,
to partner with dealers throughout Canada.
"Extending CarPoint to the Canadian market is part of our global strategy
of working with industry partners everywhere to make it easier for consumers
to buy and own a car every day," said Jeff Dossett, CEO of CarPoint at
Microsoft Corp. "Because the number of consumers who use the Web as part of
the car-buying process continues to rise, Carpoint is committed to supplying
the broadest range of services and best online experience for car buyers and
owners."
About Carpoint
Launched in October 1995, MSN Carpoint ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) is the
leading online automotive marketplace, receiving more than 6 million consumer
visits each month. From product reviews and surround video features to new
and used car pricing, the Carpoint site helps consumers find the car they
love, at a price they can afford. With details on more than 10,000 car models
and 100,000 used vehicles, visitors can research and compare cars of virtually
every make and model, identify local dealers and receive instructions for
post-purchase service and maintenance.
Carpoint generates more than $8 billion (U.S.) in auto sales each month
for its network of more than 5,000 affiliated dealers nationwide. Carpoint is
exclusively endorsed by the American International Automobile Dealers
Association.
About MSN.Ca
On one Web page, MSN.Ca makes available to Canadians compelling Internet
services, information, entertainment and a variety of communication options,
including the MSN Hotmail(R) Web-based e-mail service, the world's leading
globally accessible, free, Web-based electronic mail service. MSN.Ca also
provides such high-quality interactive services as Zone.com, MSN Web
Communities, MSN Messenger Service, MSN Search and many more for users of the
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating system and Apple Macintosh. The Web site
address is http://www.msn.Ca .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corp. is the worldwide leader in
software, services and Internet technologies 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.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN, CarPoint, Hotmail and Windows 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.