Optimal SEO-friendly URL structure for a large database-driven website?

Question

Our site contains several thousand company profiles with each profile containing numerous pieces of information driven by our dbase. Wondering what is the optimal URL structure from an SEO perspective of the choices outlined below given that we'll have thousands of such profiles? If none of the below, open to other suggestions.

Option 1

• /tesla-motors
• /tesla-motors/management-team
• /tesla-motors/products
• /tesla-motors/financial-performance

Option 2

• /tesla-motors
• /tesla-motors-management-team
• /tesla-motors-products
• /tesla-motors-financial-performance

Option 3 & 4

same as above but in a directory called companies

• /companies/tesla-motors/management-team (option 3)
• /companies/tesla-motors-management-team (option 4)

I believe it is option 2 as the keywords are prominent and close to the main domain name, but I've seen lots of conflicting advice so hoping someone can help. Thanks.

Answer 1

www.mysite.com/category/id/some text that is ingored

category is something like ford, stock cars, reviews, recalls,

ID is a content ID from your data base

"some text that is ignored" is something SEO-friendly but meaningless to actually finding your page.

Check out msnbc.com and see how they've categorized their site like this.