MSN Carpoint Launches Carpoint.CA to Provide Canadian Consumers With Comprehensive Online Car-Buying Resources

TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2000 — MSN 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.

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 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 Windows operating system and Apple Macintosh. The Web site address is http://www.msn.CA .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”) 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.

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.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

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