MSN Carpoint Unveils the Internet's 10 Most Sought-After Cars of 2000 At Detroit Auto Show MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
10 January 2001
MSN Carpoint Unveils the Internet's 10 Most Sought-After Cars of 2000 At Detroit Auto Show MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
Carpoint Market Update Reveals the Cars That Consumers Wanted Most
Throughout the Year
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 10 The MSN(R) Carpoint(TM) online
automotive service, the most visited car-buying and -ownership site on the
Web, with more than 6 million monthly car buyers, today announced its list of
the 10 most-requested vehicles of 2000. Consumer trends show passenger cars
are still a major force, holding five of the top 10 positions.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
The most-requested vehicle at the Carpoint buying service, for the third
consecutive year, was the Honda Accord. The hot-selling Chrysler PT Cruiser,
which is classified as a car by some government officials and as a truck by
others, also made the top 10, coming in at a remarkable No. 2. It went on sale
last spring. The Nissan Xterra, a recently introduced sports utility vehicle,
joined the Ford Explorer as one of the most sought-after SUVs of the year.
Ford also had the only truck to make the top 10 list with the Ford F-150
series. The Honda Odyssey was the only minivan on the list.
The Carpoint top 10 for calendar year 2000 reflects consumer interest in a
broad range of vehicles, with practicality emerging as a key trend for 2000
and midprice passenger cars in the greatest demand.
Top 10 Most Requested Vehicles in 2000
(Percentage of total market)
1. Honda Accord 3.74%
2. Chrysler PT Cruiser 3.46%
3. Honda Civic 3.03%
4. Honda Odyssey 2.65%
5. Ford Explorer 2.28%
6. Toyota Camry 2.16%
7. Volkswagen Jetta 2.02%
8. Ford F-150 1.93%
9. BMW 3-Series 1.79%
10. Nissan Xterra 1.73%
"The Carpoint 2000 top 10 reflects consumer demand for a wide variety of
vehicles," said Mark Hickling, editor and publisher of MSN Carpoint at
Microsoft Corp. "Our cybershoppers are clearly interested in the practicality
of their new vehicle as well as its image and quality. You can see that
throughout the entire top 10 list. Gasoline prices, which rose and fell last
year, also appeared to have an impact in moderating consumer interest in
larger vehicles.
"This online data is available monthly in the Carpoint Market Update data
service to help Carpoint and our industry partners better predict and respond
to consumer demand."
The 2000 top 10 will be available on Carpoint.com. In addition, Carpoint
is the official Web site for the North American International Auto Show 2001
and is offering a backstage pass to the show, including views of the hottest
cars before they are unveiled to the general public. As the only place on the
Web to see a comprehensive view of the show, Carpoint provides streaming
video, surrounding video, extensive photography and editorial reviews from the
show floor for those who cannot attend in person.
About Carpoint Inc.
Launched in October 1995, Carpoint ( 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 230 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.