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April 2, 2001 April 2, 2001 - Edmunds.com, Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com), the Web's leading consumer resource for unbiased automotive information, today announced the launch of Edmunds Data Services, Inc. (EDSI), a new division of Edmunds.com offering the most accurate, complete automotive database in the industry. "Edmunds.com learned the data business from the receiving end, as we have been customers for this information from a variety of companies for 35 years. Edmunds.com has found no supplier that has done the job to our level of expectation or satisfaction. We concluded that in order to provide our site's visitors with the quality, completeness, accuracy and timeliness of the data they need, we would have to become a data provider," said Mike Darrow, CEO of Edmunds Data Services. Edmunds.com has invested $7 million to develop both industry-leading data modeling, capture, packaging and distribution capabilities and the most comprehensive automotive vehicle database in the marketplace. Edmunds Data Services has compiled pricing, option information, colors, pictures, and specifications on new and used vehicles dating back to 1990, and has organized this data into standardized groups for easy comparison between products and brands. This is an industry-first, and is expected to considerably simplify use of the data. To develop, manage and continuously update its products and services, EDS employs approximately 40 full-time staffers, including five Data Architects and Data Modelers and three Database Administrators. Edmunds Data Services utilizes technology developed and applied successfully by CNET DataServices, the leading source of computer and consumer electronic specifications. Edmunds.com licensed the database technology and modified it for the significantly more complex automotive market. CNET DataServices is a unit of CNET Networks Inc., which is an investor in Edmunds.com. "We have an advantage over other data providers because we have created sophisticated customer-management tools, which allow us the flexibility to provide our clients with the data required, in the formats requested, with daily updates," according to Mr. Darrow. Visitors to Edmunds.com benefit from the development of the new database whenever they research vehicle prices and specifications, as well as when they use the site's online tools. For example, the popular True Market Value(SM) new and used vehicle pricing tools, as well as newly introduced advanced search engine and detailed side-by-side vehicle comparison capabilities, are all powered by Edmunds Data Services. Mr. Darrow brings a wealth of automotive experience to his leadership position at Edmunds Data Services, having managed a broad range of business initiatives during his nearly twenty years at Nissan North America, Inc. and Chrysler Corporation. About Edmumds.com |