REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 28, 2000 — The MSN TM CarPoint TM online automotive service ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) brought the 2000 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to life
“virtually,”
doubling the show’s traffic by attracting online visitors from around the world.
The online success of the official and exclusive NAIAS coverage from CarPoint contributed to a spike in visitor traffic in January, with more than 2.3 million unique visitors, according to Media Metrix. CarPoint continues to be the most-visited online car-buying site on the Web.*
As the official and exclusive Web site of NAIAS for the third consecutive year, CarPoint offered streaming video, surround videos and editorial reviews from the show floor, as well as a preview of the 60 hottest new cars minutes after they were unveiled to press at the show’s exclusive media days. In addition, all the action could be viewed via the virtual show floor map on CarPoint, which streamed live views of the show floor onto the Internet.
“Once again, CarPoint brought one of the world’s premier auto shows to homes, businesses and media organizations across the globe,”
said Russell M. Shelton, senior co-chairman of the 2000 NAIAS.
“Thanks to its ability to give site visitors a realistic auto show experience, CarPoint helped NAIAS double its attendance between actual foot traffic and virtual visitors, making NAIAS one of the most-visited auto shows in history.”
CarPoint has to date received more than 1 million visitors to its NAIAS show coverage, supplementing the 802,301 visitors who attended NAIAS in person.
Lindsay Sparks, CEO of CarPoint, credited the strong growth numbers posted by CarPoint in January to the popularity of the site’s NAIAS coverage.
“CarPoint continues to push the limits of technology to provide an incredible virtual auto show experience,”
Sparks said.
“We know we are providing what customers want, and the numbers show it.”
About MSN CarPoint
MSN CarPoint is the most-visited online car-buying service, a comprehensive automotive Web site offering users complete car-buying and ownership 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.
*Media Metrix Digital Media Audience Ratings, January 2000. Car-buying Web site category defined by Microsoft.
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