CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2000 — Two big winners emerged in the MSN TM CarPoint TM Most Unforgettable Cars poll and sweepstakes: the Volkswagen New Beetle and a 44-year-old Chicago water department employee, Louis Atkins.
To mark its third year as the exclusive Internet site for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the CarPoint online automotive service offered visitors to its site the chance to win an
“unforgettable”
car, by naming their most unforgettable cars in 10 categories that included Most Unforgettable Family Car, Most Unforgettable Race Car and Most Unforgettable Truck or SUV. Poll participants were automatically entered into a sweepstakes drawing.
The Volkswagen New Beetle, lauded at last year’s NAIAS as the best car of the year, was the only car in the poll to capture the hearts and votes of both consumers and CarPoint editors alike, ranking as the
“Most Unforgettable Comeback Car.”
Atkins, a Chicago native and new user of CarPoint, was selected as the sweepstakes winner in a drawing of more than 35,000 entries.
Today, Atkins will receive the sweepstakes prize of an
“unforgettable”
2000 Volkswagen New Beetle. Days after hearing the exciting news, the initial shock had not worn off.
“I’m kind of numb,”
Atkins said.
“I still can’t believe it.”
What started out as a favor for a friend ended up paying off big for Atkins. When a buddy asked him to help shop for a car online, Atkins clicked on to CarPoint, which he says is the best place on the Internet to research and buy a car. As he was checking the car reviews and pricing information, Atkins became engrossed in the site’s user-friendly technology and was particularly impressed with surround video, offering 360-degree views of the cars. He saw the Most Unforgettable Cars sweepstakes and entered on a whim, and the rest, he says, was – unforgettable!
Another reason Atkins says he is thrilled about the arrival of his new car is that his 1983 Chevy Impala is
“ready to go at any minute.”
His only concern about winning the car is figuring out how to fit his 6-foot-9-inch frame into the compact Beetle. It promises to be an
“unforgettable”
experience.
About CarPoint
One of the Internet’s most established sites, CarPoint is a comprehensive automotive Web site offering users complete car-buying and car-care information. First available in July 1996, CarPoint gives users fast, convenient access to detailed specifications and pricing information, reviews and advice from leading automotive writers, interactive decision-management tools, and personalized maintenance and recall information. CarPoint is available free on the World Wide Web at http://www.carpoint.com/ (connect-time charges may apply).
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software 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 and CarPoint 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: Video coverage and photo of winner available. 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.
