MSN CarPoint Personal Auto Page Wins Big With Customers

A month after introducing the industry’s first personalized Web-based car maintenance program on the MSN
™
CarPoint
™
online automotive service ( http://carpoint.MSN.com/ ), Microsoft Corp. today announced that positive consumer feedback has far surpassed the company’s initial expectations. Since the launch of the new version of MSN CarPoint on Nov. 5, more than 30,000 consumers have registered their cars with the site’s Personal Auto Page car-maintenance program.

The Personal Auto Page automatically tracks consumers’ auto service schedules and manufacturer recalls, offers detailed service and repair pricing, and provides updated Kelley Blue Book values. The addition of the Personal Auto Page makes MSN CarPoint one of the industry’s most comprehensive car-buying and maintenance Web sites.

“Customer delight and satisfaction were our motivating factors in designing the Personal Auto Page,”
said Lindsay Sparks, business unit manager of MSN CarPoint at Microsoft.
“We spent a lot of time during the research phase and in usability testing to make sure the final product is a useful, practical tool that really resonates with consumers.”


The MSN CarPoint Personal Auto Page is an important differentiator among

car-buying Web sites,
“said Gary Arlen, president of Arlen Communications Inc., a Bethesda, Md., research firm that analyzes interactive commerce.”
We expect consumers will appreciate the new features that provide even more control over their car-buying experience. CarPoint has used its technology to simplify a process that customers often find very stressful. It’s the kind of approach that’s needed to make online buying successful.

Customer satisfaction with the new Personal Auto Page is based on the following features and benefits:

  • Unique personalized car-maintenance information

  • Automated e-mail notification, reminding consumers when to service their cars

  • Quick speed and ease of use

  • Great technology, excellent layout

  • Extreme usefulness and practicality

  • Minimal registration requirement

The Personal Auto Page provides the following services to customers of MSN CarPoint who have e-mail accounts:

  • Automated e-mail notification of upcoming scheduled maintenance

  • Automated e-mail notification of auto manufacturer recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  • Detailed pricing information for service and repair

  • Discount coupons from auto service vendors

  • Up-to-date Kelley Blue Book values

  • Comprehensive maintenance schedules

  • Seasonal advice

  • Community forums

Customer testimonials about MSN CarPoint Personal Auto Page are provided in the addendum following the press release.

About MSN CarPoint

MSN CarPoint is a comprehensive automotive Web site that offers consumers complete car-buying and ownership information. It is part of the MSN network of Internet services. Launched in July 1996, MSN CarPoint gives consumers fast, convenient access to detailed specifications, reviews from leading automotive journalists, detailed pricing information, interactive decision-making tools, buying services for new and used cars, tools to simplify car maintenance and repair, and financing and insurance information. The site’s free new-car buying service allows consumers to get a competitive price – without haggling or hassles – from the MSN CarPoint nationwide network of affiliated dealers (connect-time charges may apply).

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MFST”
) 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.

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Microsoft, MSN and CarPoint 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.

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.

Addendum

MSN CarPoint Personal Auto Page Customer Feedback

“Your site is exceptional. This type of Web site truly shows the power of the Internet and all the functionality available on it.”

– E. Godshall

Nashua, N.H.


Bravo! What a great idea! Why hasn’t anybody thought of this before? I’m

recommending this to my friends. The seasonal tips are especially helpful.

– D. Henning

Brookings, S.D.


The Personal Auto Page was a great idea! Excellent uses of Web-centric push technology. Good job!

– B. Johnson

Westford, Mass.


I discovered the new CarPoint Personal Auto Page today. All I can say is that

you guys have done a great deal. I find the Personal Auto page especially

useful with all the info I need for my cars. I am eagerly looking forward to

the new CarPoint. Wonderful job, guys!

– K. Joshi

Mayfield Heights, Ohio

– J. Lamb

Burbank, Calif.

“I love what you’re doing with the new beta version. It’s great to see the Blue Book value of a car with its selling price. That’s fantastic ammo when it comes to negotiating. You guys (and gals) are thinking of everything. Thank you for the nice work.”

– J. Lewis

Bay City, Mich.

“The Personal Auto Page is great! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I bought a new truck last June, and the Personal Auto page is a great way to track scheduled maintenance for the life of my new truck.”

– W.S. Noble

Nashua, N.H.

“Great job, guys! The Personal Auto Page is a great touch and very beneficial. This is a great addition to an already exemplary site.”

– R. Schafer

Oklahoma City, Okla.

“I love the idea of a personalized CarPoint. I was impressed by how easy it was to customize the CarPoint Personal Auto Page. This was the first Web site I found where I can input my own information and get a maintenance schedule back. Keep up the great work!”

– G. Spohr

Herkimer, N.Y.

“The Personal Auto page is great! I have been looking for information like this for a long time. I wanted to buy a software program where I could log and keep track of my scheduled maintenance, and you gave it to me free. Keep up the good work.”

– B. Tyler

Orlando, Fla.

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