New MSN Carpoint Features Make It Even Easier to Buy, Own and Maintain a Car, Every Day MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
5 December 2000
New MSN Carpoint Features Make It Even Easier to Buy, Own and Maintain a Car, Every Day MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
Up-to-the Minute Traffic Updates, Driving Directions, 'Lemon Checks,' Repair
Cost Estimates, Service Coupons, Consumer Reviews and Gift Guides Provide
Consumers With Broad Range of Automotive Features on the Web
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 5 The MSN(R) Carpoint(TM) online
automotive service ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ), the most-visited car-buying
and -ownership site on the Web, today announced the launch of a broad range of
new ownership and maintenance services for consumers.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
With the growing costs of owning and maintaining cars, consumers are
increasingly turning to the Web for help in understanding how to maintain
their vehicle affordably. In response to interest from car owners, Carpoint
Version 5 introduces more features for drivers, including easier access to
personalized information on maintenance, repairs and recalls, as well as
useful everyday tools that provide live traffic updates, driving directions,
weather reports and more.
"We are committed to helping consumers with all their automotive needs,"
said Jeff Dossett, CEO of MSN Carpoint. "The initial response to the Carpoint
ownership program has been incredible, with more than 2 million vehicles
registered with our Personal Auto Page service. There is no question car
owners want more from the Web. That's why we're working closely with MSN to
make it easier than ever before to get recall alerts, service information,
repair costs and even find out which route will get you home sooner. Carpoint
is committed to providing the best online experience every day for car buyers
and owners by working closely with MSN and our industry partners to provide a
broad range of automotive services on the Web."
New Consumer Content and Services
Through a new relationship with TrafficStation, a leading provider of
personalized traffic and traveler information, consumers who visit Carpoint
have access to timely Traffic Updates for major U.S. cities, enabling them to
plan their commutes before reaching for their keys. They can also access
driving directions from Expedia.com and weather updates from MSNBC.
Continuing its commitment to make it easier for consumers to establish
relationships with its network of more than 5,000 dealers, Carpoint is also
introducing electronic service coupons for consumers. These coupons,
redeemable at local Carpoint dealers, will provide consumers with discounts
for scheduled maintenance and services.
Carpoint is also introducing new Gift Guides, developed in conjunction
with MSN eShop, to help shoppers just in time for the holidays, including
creature comfort suggestions for those who are always on the go. For busy
entrepreneurs, the family chauffeurs, sports and luxury car enthusiasts and
business travelers, gift ideas include everything from car seats and personal
digital assistants to hiking equipment and portable CD players.
With more than 20,000 vehicles reviewed, the recently introduced Carpoint
Ratings and Reviews feature provides consumers with a real-life perspective on
vehicles through personal reviews posted by car owners who visit the Carpoint
site. Providing details about favorite features, how specific models perform
in bad weather, and opinions on reliability and service requirements, this
feature improves the online car-buying experience for consumers by providing a
vehicle ownership forum.
In addition to consumer reviews, the new Carpoint Lemon Check feature,
provided through a relationship with Carfax Inc., the Internet's leading
provider of vehicle history information, allows used-car buyers to research
the history of a vehicle for accidents, title brands, odometer discrepancies,
flood damage and other important information prior to purchase.
Through its innovative functionality and broad range of consumer content,
Carpoint will continue to develop industry relationships and deliver the
broadest range of services to consumers.
About Carpoint Inc.
Launched in October 1995, Carpoint Inc. (http://www.carpoint.com/ ) is the
most visited 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 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 year for
its network of more than 5,000 affiliated dealers nationwide. The American
International Automobile Dealers Association exclusively endorses Carpoint.
Carpoint also powers the Autos Channel on the MSN network of Internet services
(http://www.msn.com/ ). MSN is the most popular destination on the Internet,
attracting 210 million unique monthly visitors worldwide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft 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 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.