REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 10, 1998 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has signed an agreement to make the CarPoint
™
( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) online automotive service the featured provider of automotive listings to InfoSpace Inc. ( http://www.infospace.com/ ). Visitors to InfoSpace will be able to view CarPoint used-car listings, access vouchers offering them discounts of at least $500 on more than 10,000 used automobiles, and submit requests for dealer price quotes and other information pertaining to new-car purchases.
Microsoft® CarPoint is a comprehensive end-to-end automobile research and buying Web service. It gives consumers at all stages of the car-buying process instantaneous access to a wide range of online information, reviews and powerful tools to help them make an informed car-buying decision. Under the agreement, InfoSpace users will now have access to the CarPoint database of more than 100,000 used-car listings from hundreds of popular Web sites and information appliances.
“This agreement is a big win for InfoSpace users, CarPoint and the thousands of automobile dealers who subscribe to our new- and used-car buying services,”
said Lindsay Sparks, general manager of the Microsoft automotive product unit.
“By working with InfoSpace, Microsoft is making it easier for millions of Internet users to access its high-quality information and tools for researching and purchasing new and used cars. At the same time, Microsoft is providing its affiliated dealers with more ways to sell cars to a targeted group of highly qualified customers.”
“InfoSpace is known for bringing consumers and vendors together through its classifieds and electronic commerce directories,”
said Naveen Jain, president and CEO of InfoSpace.
“Working with Microsoft CarPoint will give visitors to our Web site a fast, easy way to find the information about new- and used-car purchases directly from a PC desktop.”
InfoSpace Among Leading Web Content Aggregators, Syndicators
InfoSpace is among the leading aggregators and syndicators of Web content. Formed in April 1996, InfoSpace has grown from a start-up into one of the top Web sites today. InfoSpace is continually adding content and forging partnerships with independent yellow pages publishers, newspapers, television stations, search engines, ISPs, information appliances and popular Web sites.
InfoSpace directory services are licensed by MSN
™
Premier, Netscape Communications Inc. (Nasdaq
“NSCP”
), ABC News Internet Ventures (NYSE
“DIS”
), CBS Corp. (NYSE
“CBS”
), Lycos Inc., The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, CompuServe Inc. (Nasdaq
“CSRV”
), Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE
“PLA”
), AT & T WorldNet Service (NYSE
“T”
), go2net Inc.’s MetaCrawler (Nasdaq
“GNET”
), BarnesandNoble.com (NYSE
“BKS”
), Alaska Air Group (NYSE
“ALK”
), CommerceNet, Maine Network, Data Channel Inc. and others. InfoSpace also has strategic working relationships with Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
), Intel Corp. (Nasdaq
“INTC”
), Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq
“ORCL”
), DIBA, Sega Entertainment Inc. and Bandai Digital Entertainment Corp. Through its relationships with WolfeTech Corp. and Unwired Planet
Inc., InfoSpace directories will be available on cellular phones and pagers from Motorola (NYSE
“MOT”
), GTE Mobilnet (NYSE
“GTE”
), Bell Atlantic/NYNEX and other telecommunications companies. InfoSpace’s services are also available on AT & T cellular phones and pagers.
Microsoft CarPoint is a comprehensive automotive Web site that offers users complete car-buying information. Launched in August 1996, CarPoint gives users fast, convenient access to detailed specifications, reviews from the leading automotive journalists, detailed pricing information, interactive decision-management tools, and a new- and used-car buying service.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, CarPoint and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.
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