Looking to sponser Prius for free prototype products

[Doc Willie]

I would be willing to use the Zhang Heng for such a purpose. This would fit in with its mission.

[Bob64]

Oh man I'm overflowing with interesting ideas:

IF you can perhaps aero-mod the front of the prius to include variable grill blocking capability and perhaps a lengthier nose to perhaps give it a better Drag Coefficient?

Also rear wheel skirts and front hubcaps (like the racing ones found in the other thread) except pre-made to work with the prius without drilling the trim rings or any risk of them falling off.

Hopefully they'll also be fairly affordable :S

Too bad I don't live near central VA, I'm in Northern VA.

[Hybrid Effects]

JimboK and I talked on the phone and he has an interest in blocking the air to the grille. I do prefer to do prototypes that the owner has an interest in also and he is around 2 hours from me. Very feasible

This is a fairly new post so I will wait around a week to see if any one post on this thread that is closer but I am willing to travel if need be. The owners interest and willingness to participate will also be a deciding factor.

I would really like to develop a product that every one can use. I also will need a product that will generate some capital to proceed onto other projects.

I also like the ideas of rear wheel skirts and hub caps.

Doc Willie I am allergic to tribbles, just kidding what ideas do you have?

Feel free to email me at email@HybridEffects.com and leave your Phone # and I will call you and we can discuss ideas.

I hope this approach that that I am taking by getting prius owners involved will provide Prius owners with some useful products they can use.
Heck after all it is an election year right!

Thanks Franklin

[Bill Merchant]

Franklin, this may not be a product you're interested in producing, or it may be a product the buyers could customize, but there is a strong desire by many Prius drivers to install a sub-woofer in the cubbyhole in the right rear corner.

If you don't want to get into the sub business, you might still consider a fiberglass blank box that would fit in the hole that buyers could install their own speaker into.

[Bob64]

Depending on how many times I need to drive over there, I'd be willing to serve as an alternative

Madison Heights is about 3 and 1/2 hours away from me, according to google earth.

[JimboK]

Franklin and I actually talked about several possible products, some that would interest me, others maybe not -- but some that would interest many of you. As for the grill block, I told him it would be nice to have something that looks a little cleaner than pipe insulation and could be adjusted easily, maybe even from inside the car, based on temperatures and driving conditions.

I also told him that many folks would love an alternative to Coastal for some of the items that only they sell, if he could come up with a similar product line.

Franklin, one thing I didn't say about the grill block but should be self-evident: It would compete against something that's dirt cheap and relatively easy now, so it can't be too expensive. And as for currently-available mods that I don't have now, let me clarify: It's not always due to lack of interest, but instead choosing not to spend the money. Or in Coastal's case, not willing to risk the poor service. Depending on the product, I might still be interested in using a prototype ... i.e., free.

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by JimboK

Franklin and I actually talked about several possible products, some that would interest me, others maybe not -- but some that would interest many of you. As for the grill block, I told him it would be nice to have something that looks a little cleaner than pipe insulation and could be adjusted easily, maybe even from inside the car, based on temperatures and driving conditions.

I also told him that many folks would love an alternative to Coastal for some of the items that only they sell, if he could come up with a similar product line.

Franklin, one thing I didn't say about the grill block but should be self-evident: It would compete against something that's dirt cheap and relatively easy now, so it can't be too expensive. And as for currently-available mods that I don't have now, let me clarify: It's not always due to lack of interest, but instead choosing not to spend the money. Or in Coastal's case, not willing to risk the poor service. Depending on the product, I might still be interested in using a prototype ... i.e., free.

that was my idear

[Hybrid Effects]

cool CooL COOL keep the input and ideas coming. I think there are a few products that I would be willing to make now. I wish I had a Prius in my possession now and I could begin. I will go to my Toyota dealer tomorrow and see if they will work with me.

Thanks again for all the input

Franklin

[Bob64]

Woah, I just found this thread yesterday:

Dream Prius (aerodynamic mod exercise for 2nd gen.) - Ecomodder.com Fuel Economy Forum

Seems very pricey, but if the price can be reduced or if parts of the design is simplified to be economically produced, then it would be cool

[Hybrid Effects]

Yea just Imagine a small company taking months to develop and create a rear or front section for a car and then when the product is on the market some bigger company buys the product and copies it or slightly modifies it in a few days, then has it for sale on there website with in a week.

That's the way the fiberglass aftermarket industry seems to work.

But it works both ways there are a lot of smaller companies stealing big company designs. I hear about it all the time.

I think most companies will charge a lot more for there product in the beginning because they know the market will be saturated pretty fast and the price will go down.

Cheers Franklin