The publisher said the acquisition of Pistonheads.com, which was set up eight years ago and has over 900,000 unique users, was its first major move into motoring community websites, and would complement its existing motoring titles and .
Edmonston, who started the company for TVR owners, will oversee the day-to-day running of the website from Haymarket's offices in Teddington.
Haymarket added that it had no plans to introduce radical changes to the format of Pistonheads.com, which claims to achieve over 28m page impressions a month, but would aim to increase ad revenue generation.
Patrick Fuller, Haymarket Motoring publishing director, said: "The website will represent the third pillar of Haymarkets' motoring business. It is a brilliant online community for anyone who is mad about cars, where they can communicate with like-minded enthusiasts as well as share their experiences and offer each other advice."
"If we can extend and expand its audience reach, we will, but we think this is a first-class business and, unless we can make genuine improvements, we do not intend to tinker under the bonnet too much."
Haymarket said Pistonheads.com had great potential for ad revenue generation, which could give advertisers the chance to reach a large audience of motoring enthusiasts.
Edmonston said: "I am happy and comfortable that Haymarket Publishing will respect the integrity of our site and its loyal members, and bring their long tradition of expertise in the motoring sector to support and broaden our community."
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