REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 3, 2002 — MSN® Carpoint® , a leading car-buying and ownership site with more than 7 million monthly visitors, today announced its exclusive sponsorship as the official consumer Web site of the 2002 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) from Jan. 621 in Detroit.
Actor, Formula One race car aficionado and auto enthusiast Stephen Baldwin will join the Carpoint team live from Detroit as Carpoint Celebrity Consumer Correspondent. Baldwin will be reporting from the show floor on Monday, Jan. 7, providing his thoughts on trends, the hottest concept cars, and new makes and models. Baldwin is a self-described car enthusiast and collector of Porsches and 1960s and 1970s Detroit muscle cars.
Carpoint will offer a backstage pass to the show, including views of the hottest cars as they are unveiled, days before the show opens to the general public. Consumers who visit Carpoint.com can view streaming video highlights, extensive photography, 360-degree surround videos and exclusive reports from the show floor. Carpoint has teamed with AvantGo Inc. and Volvo Cars of North America LLC to bring the Detroit Auto Show to wireless handheld devices, providing users with direct access to show information via the AvantGo mobile Internet service, any time, any place. Carpoint also will provide Pocket PC users with the ability to download selected auto show videos directly onto their devices for easy, portable video viewing.
On Saturday, Jan. 12, as the show opens its doors to the public, Carpoint will switch on its virtual show floor to provide instant access to photos, videos and surround videos of exciting show highlights. Consumers will be able to navigate the venue as if they were actually on the show floor via webcams in the ceilings of the COBO Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit.
In addition, car lovers everywhere can become car designers by using the Carpoint Custom Concept Car Creator. This new service enables consumers to build their own concept car with a wide variety of design features, including wings, shark fins and bandages. Designers will be entered to win a cash prize and a replica of their personal creation.*
“We are very excited to serve as the official Web site for the nations top auto show for the fifth consecutive year,”
said Ryan Hamlin, general manager of MSN Carpoint.
“This years coverage will include a virtual show floor; extensive wireless content to provide up-to-date, anytime show access; and an exciting new design feature for consumers to build their own vehicles online. By leveraging our technology, consumer and automotive expertise, industry relationships, and the global presence of Carpoint in more than 11 countries, we will provide extensive coverage online and a unique and unparalleled consumer experience.”
Carpoint also will include three digital showcases produced by premier sponsors Toyota/Lexus, Volvo Cars of North America and General Motors Corp. to present their newest vehicles to a global online audience. The digital showcases will feature content specifically related to the auto show with links to the manufacturers sites. Carpoint is teaming with Volvo
Cars of North America to webcast the launch of the new XC-90 SUV live from the show floor on Carpoint.com .
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.
* No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. Games end Jan. 26, 2002. Full rules are on the Web site at http://www.carpoint.com/ .
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