REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 11, 2001 — Microsoft® Dealerpoint.Net, the leading lead management system (LMS) provider for the automotive industry in the United States, marketed via the Carpoint® online automotive service, today announced the deployment of Ford Motor Co.s private-label version, Salespoint, to more than 800 Ford dealers in the United Kingdom. Hosted out of Fords e-commerce center in the United Kingdom, Dealerpoint.Nets localized version provides Ford dealers with the Web-based tools and technology they need to quickly respond to car buyers, and track and manage their Internet and offline sales leads.
Microsoft Dealerpoint.Net enables Fords sales teams in Europe to benefit from its easy-to-use tools, including enhanced reporting, personalized e-mail templates for quick sales response, and multiple user accounts and workflow rules, enabling effective customer management across entire sales teams.
“Weve very excited about Dealerpoint.Nets first international rollout,” said Ryan Hamlin, general manager of MSN® Carpoint.
“Dealerpoint.Net is uniquely able to offer the largest auto manufacturers operating in many international markets a single service for customer lead management at the retail level, making it easier to collaborate with dealers, serve customers better and anticipate changes in demand earlier.”
Dealerpoint.Nets globalized platform enabled Ford of Europe to localize and implement Salespoint in only five months, including the hosting and integration with Fords current customer database that routes all Ford leads in the United Kingdom through Dealerpoint.Net in real time.
Dealerpoint.Net launched in the United States in February 1999 and recently announced a major, rapid deployment to auto dealers nationally, enabling sales teams to benefit from improved usability features, new sales management reports and performance improvements that halve system response times for most key functions.
Dealerpoint.Net delivers leads to all Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Volvo, Honda, Acura and Isuzu dealers, providing robust sales automation to more than 30 percent of auto dealers in the U.S. market. Its consumer databases are growing at a rate of 20 percent per month, enabling dealers and manufacturers to conveniently and effectively service more customers.
About Carpoint
Launched in October 1995, Carpoint ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) is the leading online automotive marketplace, visited by more than 7 million consumers each month. From product reviews and surround video features to new- and used-car pricing, Carpoint 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 has a network of more than 5,000 affiliated dealers nationwide and is exclusively endorsed by the American International Automobile Dealers Association.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (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, Carpoint and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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