Microsoft CarPoint

CarPoint.com was Microsoft’s Web-based introduction to online automotive trade. Although it could not “sell” in fact, or provide no cars, it could move a lot of consumers are looking for, comparison and decision-making processes, including pricing, the traditional car dealer on the web. This shift in consumer behavior from marketplace to marketspace was in its effects on consumers and retailers face significant CarPoint company and its competitor a double challenge in creating effective e-commerce company and i … Read more »

CarPoint.com was Microsoft’s Web-based introduction to online automotive trade. Although it could not “sell” in fact, or provide no cars, it could move a lot of consumers are looking for, comparison and decision-making processes, including pricing, the traditional car dealer on the web. This shift in consumer behavior from marketplace to marketspace was in its effects on consumers and merchants significant face CarPoint and its rival company to effective service offer experience a double challenge in creating effective e-commerce companies and in influencing their distribution partners. CarPoint however, was a late entrant, and it faced competition from the category first-mover AutoByTel.com, AutoWeb.com and AutoVantage.com. As a result, the case deals with issues of larger channel and consumer behavior change and tactical issues of competitive positioning in a competitive market both on-line and off-line.
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from
Jeffrey F. Rayport,
Avnish Bajaj,
Steffan Haithcox,
Michael Kadyan
Source: Harvard Business School
31 pages.
Publication Date: Jun 23, 1998. Prod #: 898 280 PDF-ENG
Microsoft CarPoint HBR case solution