Prius Press-Kits

[efusco]

Since this is a Prius Press kit I'd start with some sort of introductory statement.

"The Toyota Prius is the most popular Hybrid vehicle sold in world with approximately XXXXXX units sold world wide and XXXXXX in the US alone. It is a mid-size car with capacity comparable to that of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, & XXXX. It is EPA rated for 51/60/55mpg, nearly twice that of it's comparable mid-size competators, yet is priced nearly identically to all those vehicles......"

Yet it's greatest feature might be the one we don't see. This car has the lowest emissions rating of any gas propelled vehicle available.

As you say, it's a work in progress, but I think an introduction of what you're "selling" is important. You can define terms later...in fact I think I'd do that last of all.

[john1701a]

Yes, there will be indeed be a cover-sheet of some kind.

It will heavily utilize white-space, allowing for quite a bit of flexibility to provide whatever introduction we see fit. That should rather handy, because I expect that particular content to change rather frequently due to certain automakers having trouble and the wild oil/gas prices.

[Prianista]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ May 6 2006, 12:49 AM) [snapback]250687[/snapback]</div>

The draft of the first page is now available...
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-presskit.htm
[/b]

After reading the draft, I suggest the following:

Since this is a "Press Kit" as opposed to a "Press Release", there's no need to squeeze everything onto a single page. It's more important that the information is accurate, pertinent and presented in an easy to understand and digest manner. Reporters will be happy to have a press kit that 4-6 pages long if the information is truly helpful.

The first page or two should focus specifically on the Prius. What is it, what is it designed to do, what makes it unique? How does the hybrid system reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gases, and smog emissions? What does it cost to buy? You might briefly compare the msrp and main features of a package 4 to a package 8. What does the name mean? Are there truly cirmcumstances where the air coming out of the exhaust pipe will cleaner than the air going in?

I suggest the next pages address some of the controversies and mythologies. What car is it best compared to? How does it compare in size, passenger room, cargo space, utility and cost to the Corolla, to the Camry? How do its EPA mileage and emissions scores compare to those cars? How do its standard comfort, convenience, and safety features compare with those cars? Is there perhaps a better Toyota to compare it to? Any notable standard features or options that is shares with the Lexus brand? How much is the hybrid premium? How much are the tax breaks and how do they work? Are Prius sales falling? Does it really take months to get one? And, as already mentioned: Saving fuel or saving money?

You might conclude with the background information on various types of hybrids and a description of how the Hybrid Synergy Drive works.

I strongly encourage weblinks or footnotes to substantiate the facts in the press kit.

Thank you for your willingness to do this.

[walt]

Under either FAQ section or Myth section (or both?) add a paragraph about fire departments and EMTs responding to a "hybird accident" and the "danger" from the HV battery. Orange power lines, cut out relays, etc.

[john1701a]

I've got a few more sections carved out now. These are based on my 6 years of Prius experience, the over 1100 pages of blogs I've written, and feedback from prior to starting this particular effort (which helped revealed the need for this). Provide comments & suggestions whenever you want. They will all be considered as the document evolves. For now, I'm focusing on just dumping the hot items already outlined. I'm certain others will shake out over time.

Since some people like getting to read a work in progress, I'm happy to provide draft pieces as they become available. These are the sections available as of this posting:

Hybrid Types
Hybrid Configurations
Emission Ratings
Full Hybrid – City Operation
Full Hybrid – Suburb Operation
Full Hybrid – Highway Operation
Remembering the Past
Cost Analysis – MPG
Cost Analysis – Emissions

http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-presskit.htm

[j24816]

Outstanding work. For what it is worth, my 2 cents.

First page or two should be written as an actual article that the "journalist" could use verbatim or with minor changes, likely quotes from locals.

Use quotes to communicate points.....'Joe and Suzy Middleamerica, from anywhereexceptcalifornia love their prius: "We bought the car for the gas milage, but it is really fun to drive and we love the cargo space! And our 2.3 children think its cool!". OK, I know you are writing about the hybrid system, but please make the car human!

Regarding cost analysis, point out that the Prius is about the only car that people expect a rate of return on...When is the last time you saw a cost analysis on the Hummer rate of return (Frankly I don't put up with any questions along these lines...I bought the car because I like it, and the gas milage and environmental impact are two of the things I like.)

Include references where a real journalist could get additional information for each section.

The highway driving section is a little heavy on jargon ("Most “full” hybrids utilize an Atkinson-Miller pumping cycle, rather than Otto.") and is somewhat more difficult to read than the other sections.

Pictures, graphs, drawings help.

Again, great job....looking forward to seeing the final product!

[hobbit]

I'm a little unsure about the exact target audience for this, but
the draft to date seems almost like it's trying to be a bit more of
an education than they might be looking for. If this is specifically
about the prius, does going into all the hybrid types and all the
emissions ratings help draw the picture?
.
There's an *astounding* amount of confusion about regenerative
braking vs. brakes out there in the real world, and anything to
clarify that is great. People do have to realize its limits, too,
i.e. when they drive in their usual gotta-get-there-first american
style a lot of the benefit can be lost. Sure, developers are working
on better systems to absorb energy faster but it may never be on
par with panic-stopping all four wheels [modulo ABS].
.
Engine RPM does *not* remain constant -- it varies depending on
*power* demand, but the difference is that when power demand is
low [when traditional engine setups would run inefficiently], the
full hybrid tends to shut it down. In the Prius in particular,
and this probably gets into too much techie detail for such a
document, engine control generally tries to stay in a high *torque*
mode [open throttle]. But that's not always true, so even a Prius
can run inefficiently at times.
.
"normal for a Prius own to notice" should be "... Prius owner ..."
.
The little charge/discharge swings during highway travel are pretty
insignificant, and possibly not worth mentioning... but pointing
out how the [smaller] engine and motors combine forces when needed
is definitely an important part.
.
Sorry if this sounds sort of abruptly critical... I applaud the
effort and I probably don't completely understand who's going to
be reading this and how much the document needs to break through
a certain level of Not Caring and really grab a non-techie's
attention...
.
_H*

[Prianista]

There's wonderful information in the draft, but I feel the presentation needs to be more effective.

I suggest organizing the press-kit with different publications and the different interests of their audiences in mind.

The first few pages should perhaps be written to appeal to the readers of "USA Today". The introduction, a brief discussion of the interplay between the gasoline engine and electric motor, and cost analysis information could go here.

The next page or two could be written to address the interests of readers "E/The Environmental Magazine". A good place for the emissions information and to note that there's also a monetary value to cleaner air.

Then a few pages could be written to appeal to the readers of "AutoWeek". Information about hybrid types, the detailed workings of Hybrid Synergy Drive, and bogus comparisons to diesel powered bicycles would here.

The idea about quotes from j24816 is excellent. However, responsible reporters will want to verify the quotes, so anyone quoted should be willing to be contacted by phone or e-mail.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ May 7 2006, 07:47 AM) [snapback]251040[/snapback]</div>

I'm a little unsure about the exact target audience for this, but
the draft to date seems almost like it's trying to be a bit more of
an education than they might be looking for. If this is specifically
about the prius, does going into all the hybrid types and all the
emissions ratings help draw the picture?
[/b]

Once you read the third page I just finished composing and the fourth I'm working on now, you'll understand.

I'm tired of some of the press not taking journalism seriously. They are not going to get spoon fed from this. Instead, they get an educational document. Perhaps we'll end up renaming it once everyone gets an opportunity to read the whole thing.

And no, this is absolutely not about Prius only. Neither is my website, yet some are still under the impression that it is. In reality, my purpose has always been to promote "full" hybrids. Prius just happens to be king of that mountian. But sadly, in time Prius will likely be outnumbered by Camry & Sienna type hybrids. Oh well. They will still all use a "full" hybrid system, which is the point anyway.

This feedback from you and the others is fantastic! Keep it up. I'll let the document content formulate into a clearer purpose on it's own. It's the reality that we don't have a resource of this nature that's driving the effort. Finding a unique collection of information like this is pretty sweet. Of course, I wish the need would have revealed itself sooner. Oh well.

[john1701a]

The downloadable document has been updated. The following new sections have been added:

Cost Analysis – Vehicle Class
Cost Analysis – Safety
Cost Analysis – Sound
Cost Analysis – Feel
Cost Analysis – Long-Term Considerations

I've also tweaked some text in the original sections. Comments about the myths are next.
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-presskit.htm