From: ebice@seas.upenn.edu Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 1:12 AM To: Michael Kearns Subject: CIS 620: Auto Mfg Bid Price Analysis Attachments: Auto-Manufacturers-Pivot.xls Prof Kearns, I analyzed the relationship between auto manufacturers and max bid prices. I found no noticeable correlation between the two. In particular exotic cars exhibit some of the lowest bid prices. Understandably so as no one in their right mind buys their Ferraris online (extremely low conversion rate). In general the advertisers are information websites of the likes of edmunds.com (need to learn more about the business model of such advertisers). I suspect a better indicator of search volume and general interest to be the market share of the manufacturers (did not pursue due to lack of detailed market share data). A little late in the process I started analyzing the relationship between auto insurance (e.g. Ferrari insurance) and bid prices. The attached Excel file contains the data used in the analysis and a chart or two. I need to look further into issues such as scaling and missing data points (the insurance data series is shorter than the other two for that reason). Sincerely, Edi Bice