New MSN Carpoint Features Make It Even Easier to Buy, Own and Maintain a Car, Every Day

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 5, 2000 — The MSN® Carpoint™
online automotive service ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ), the most-visited car-buying and -ownership site on the Web, today announced the launch of a broad range of new ownership and maintenance services for consumers.

With the growing costs of owning and maintaining cars, consumers are increasingly turning to the Web for help in understanding how to maintain their vehicle affordably. In response to interest from car owners, Carpoint Version 5 introduces more features for drivers, including easier access to personalized information on maintenance, repairs and recalls, as well as useful everyday tools that provide live traffic updates, driving directions, weather reports and more.

“We are committed to helping consumers with all their automotive needs,”
said Jeff Dossett, CEO of MSN Carpoint.
“The initial response to the Carpoint ownership program has been incredible, with more than 2 million vehicles registered with our Personal Auto Page service. There is no question car owners want more from the Web. That’s why we’re working closely with MSN to make it easier than ever before to get recall alerts, service information, repair costs and even find out which route will get you home sooner. Carpoint is committed to providing the best online experience every day for car buyers and owners by working closely with MSN and our industry partners to provide a broad range of automotive services on the Web.”

New Consumer Content and Services

Through a new relationship with TrafficStation, a leading provider of personalized traffic and traveler information, consumers who visit Carpoint have access to timely Traffic Updates for major U.S. cities, enabling them to plan their commutes before reaching for their keys. They can also access driving directions from Expedia.com and weather updates from MSNBC.

Continuing its commitment to make it easier for consumers to establish relationships with its network of more than 5,000 dealers, Carpoint is also introducing electronic service coupons for consumers. These coupons, redeemable at local Carpoint dealers, will provide consumers with discounts for scheduled maintenance and services.

Carpoint is also introducing new Gift Guides, developed in conjunction with MSN eShop, to help shoppers just in time for the holidays, including creature comfort suggestions for those who are always on the go. For busy entrepreneurs, the family chauffeurs, sports and luxury car enthusiasts and business travelers, gift ideas include everything from car seats and personal digital assistants to hiking equipment and portable CD players.

With more than 20,000 vehicles reviewed, the recently introduced Carpoint Ratings and Reviews feature provides consumers with a real-life perspective on vehicles through personal reviews posted by car owners who visit the Carpoint site. Providing details about favorite features, how specific models perform in bad weather, and opinions on reliability and service requirements, this feature improves the online car-buying experience for consumers by providing a vehicle ownership forum.

In addition to consumer reviews, the new Carpoint Lemon Check feature, provided through a relationship with Carfax Inc., the Internet’s leading provider of vehicle history information, allows used-car buyers to research the history of a vehicle for accidents, title brands, odometer discrepancies, flood damage and other important information prior to purchase.

Through its innovative functionality and broad range of consumer content, Carpoint will continue to develop industry relationships and deliver the broadest range of services to consumers.

About Carpoint Inc.

Launched in October 1995, Carpoint Inc. ( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) is the most visited online automotive marketplace, receiving more than 6 million consumer visits each month. From product reviews and surround video features to new- and used-car pricing, the Carpoint site helps consumers find the car they love at a price they can afford. With details on more than 10,000 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 generates more than $8 billion (U.S.) in auto sales each year for its network of more than 5,000 affiliated dealers nationwide. The American International Automobile Dealers Association exclusively endorses Carpoint. Carpoint also powers the Autos Channel on the MSN network of internet services ( http://www.msn.com/ ). MSN is the most popular destination on the Internet, attracting 210 million unique monthly visitors worldwide.

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, 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: 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.

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