MSN Autos Expands to Include Content From Consumer Reports

REDMOND, Wash., and YONKERS, N.Y. — June 9, 2005 — Buying or leasing a car is one of the biggest decisions families make. Luckily, it’s not a decision people have to make alone. Today the MSN® network of Internet services and Consumer Reports (CR), the largest source of independent, expert and unbiased information about cars, announced a content distribution agreement in which some of the magazine’s exclusive auto information will be available on MSN Autos (http://autos.msn.com).

With the steep rise in gas prices and so many vehicles to choose from, it has become increasingly important for consumers to be armed with a wealth of information before they buy a car. Available in the United States, the MSN Autos channel will feature vehicle Snapshots that will contain selected Consumer Reports Ratings, road test results, vehicle highs and lows, Consumer Reports Wholesale Price ranges, and ConsumerReports.org’s recommendations of similarly priced cars. The selected Consumer Reports content on MSN Autos is available without a paid subscription. People looking for even more auto information from Consumer Reports can sign up for a subscription quickly and easily thorough links on MSN Autos.

In addition to the deep content from Consumer Reports, MSN Autos will continue to offer the latest automotive news, vehicle guides on everything from SUVs to hybrids, help with financing and insurance information, updates on local traffic conditions, and tools that make it easy for people to find the lowest gas prices in their area.

“We’re thrilled to provide visitors to MSN Autos with in-depth news and reviews from Consumer Reports,” said Hadi Partovi, general manager of MSN. “By deeply integrating content from one of the most respected names in consumer research with our own independent editorial content and features, we can offer car buyers and owners an even more complete and useful place to help them get the most out of their purchase, through tips on everything from saving money to avoiding traffic.”

“Our agreement with MSN Autos will allow more car buyers to have access to the leading source of unbiased auto information on the Web,” said John Sateja, vice president, Publishing, at Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports and Consumer Reports.org. “We hope that the millions of visitors who turn to MSN Autos for information when in the process of gathering car-buying information will now be able to sample Consumer Reports’ unique blend of expert testing and pricing information to further help them make the best decision on their next car purchase.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Consumers Union and MSN will share revenue from Consumerreports.org subscriptions generated through the new relationship.

About ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports
® and ConsumerReports.org are published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, we test, inform, and protect. To maintain our independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. CU supports itself through the sale of our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants. All site visitors have free access to helpful advice, safety alerts, recalls, and much more. Site subscribers receive unbiased product ratings and service recommendations, access to the latest issue of Consumer Reports and four years of past reports — updated on a regular basis to keep up with changing technologies — exclusive reliability reports, message boards and more. ConsumerReports.org also provides exclusive e-Ratings. A systematic rating of online retailers, e-Ratings enable consumers to navigate the dynamic Web marketplace more efficiently and confidently. Each overall rating reflects a site’s policies, usability and content, and how well these components come together to create a satisfying and successful online shopping experience. ConsumerReports.org launched in November 1997. The site has more than 1.8 million active, paid subscribers.

About MSN

MSN attracts more than 400 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 40 markets and 20 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft and MSN 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. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

Related Posts