Prius Press-Kits

[john1701a]

Countless times Prius owners have complained after reading poorly written hybrid articles. That hasn't changed much over the years. Many reporters still rush out an article based on minimal research to exploit a hot topic, something guaranteed to draw interest for their publication. And it works every time. That's very frustrating, especially knowing how quickly they write them and how narrow the focus is.

Because of my website, I routinely get emails requesting article information and sometimes even an interview. Most of the time I decline due to their need to finish "within 48 hours" or "before Friday" and the fact that I've been disenchanted after having learned just how much of a difference there actually is between a 2-bit reporter and journalist.

But rather than continuing to be reactive by complaining, I started to search for a way to be proactive instead. It didn't take long to find a solution. In fact, I feel kind of dumb for not having done this sooner... since I witnessed it almost 4 years ago. We got mobbed by the media at each city we stopped at throughout the Hybrid Road Rally. Our leader had already prepared press-kits for them. Those quick & easy packets of information helped to bring a little order to the rather chaotic excitement, it also helped to ensure they had a decent way of understanding the situation before we raced off to the next rally city. So that's what I'll do too. After all, there were 12,369 downloads of the HSD User-Guide last month. So a press-kit is something many Prius newbies would likely be interested in as well. It could serve as a very effective tool for providing a hybrid overview.

Needless to say, I am seeking suggestions.

What information would like to point out to help improve the quality of hybrid articles?

[efusco]

I think this is a great idea John. Kudos to you for going to the effort.
It might help to see what you've come up with already.

Off the top of my head:
1)A Myths/Facts section--"can't recover cost/hybrid premium", "battery expensive to replace", "extra maintenance required", etc.

2)I think covering the 'real' reasons people buy hybrids in some fashion would be good as well. IOW, I didn't buy my Prius to save "money", I bought it to save "gas"...maybe some hard numbers of how many gallons of gas are saved over a "comparable" car over 5 years and how much reduction in emissions--something that can be easily quantified and reported neatly on a graph and easily regurgitated to the public. Also emphesis the support of new and superior technology that can 'lead us into the future' with emphesis on the wastefulness and inefficiency of the outdated traditional ICE vehicles.

3)Although it might be a little difficult to translate into an easily digestible description I'm always frustrated with the way the press describes that the battery is used to 'get the car going' and that they seem to think the ICE is only ever off when the car is stopped. I think some sort of explaination that in city driving conditions at speeds below 42mph the ICE runs only ~30% of the time to charge the battery and provide additional power when needed...that'll need some work, but I think you know what I mean. Explaining that the car can run with not gas being burned for extended periods even over 42mph.

4)Maybe under the myths/facts, but there is a common misconception that the Prius isn't as efficient at highway speeds. I think a better explaination that b/c of the Atkinson cycle ICE that it's actually more efficient at cruise speeds with less wasted energy at cruising/highway speeds....maybe even give some number for well-to-wheel efficiency comparisons of Otto vs Atkinson at 55mph.

5)I have no idea how to word it, but some sort of explaination of how much of an impact break-in and driver experience/practice makes in improving FE. You could submit your FE records as an example I guess. I suggest this b/c of the very low "real world" numbers that almost all auto magazines seem to arrive at.

I'm sure I'll think of more stuff now that you've planted the seed, but I hope that gives you a start.

[gracetaylor]

You might want to consider addressing this in the myth section. I had a friend try to talk me out of getting a Prius by saying that it really did nothing to help the environment because the delta is to small between the Prius and whatever other car the Prius owner WOULD have bought if not the Prius. He said not enough people would go from a large car/SUV to the hybrid. The hybrid divers would have been in a tiny Corolla or the like. As a result, hybrids make no difference. I personally would have gone with the Lexus if not the Prius, so I knew that would make a difference for my contribution. Also, I don't want "the man" to get any more of my money than humanly possible...tax credit takes care of Uncle Sam and fuel efficiency takes care of another one.

[ohgreys]

Lately, I've found that pointing out that with the federal tax credit, a base model Prius is pretty much equal in price to a base model Toyota Camry (the best selling car in the US for the past 4 years) really opens people's eyes. As we know, however, the Prius has some pretty neat features even on its base model. It's just a really easy way to point out that no, hybrids don't have to be "so much more expensive than regular cars."

[hobbit]

I've seen a couple of "debunking hybrid myths" efforts start up here
and there. I point to some of them in my big ol' linkfarm, and
there are probably several others. Some effort to pull together
the major points from those and our own knowledge into one high-
visibility go-to site/page/whatever would probably be useful, and
pointing to that with a single, simple URL [but please, no unreliable
third-party "services" like tinyurl or makeashorterlink] that can be
handed out on cards/flyers may go quite a way toward awareness. The
top three myths could be on the handouts, say, in a fast Q&A format.
That would probably be the "premium" cost, the battery life, and
whatever other frequent "objections" that are raised.
.
_H*

[unruhly]

I've noticed of late that people do not take the time to read literature. It's the quick fix mentality.

The use of charts, graphs, and graphic comparisons along with a short FAQ/debunk section would be about all you'd be able to get a press person to digest before they lost focus.
I think the idea is to culminate their curiosity so they want to learn more, not to deluge them with information.
If they are truly interested in obtaining more info they will seek it.

[john1701a]

The purpose of a press-kit is to provide a quick, complete, self-contained resource. No further research is required, though they could use it as an idea-list for in-depth reports. After all, many of us are sick of the same old MPG/cost articles. This will help prevent that. All they need will be right there and very to-the-point.

They really like that. This method of information sharing is a common practice among other topics of interest, why not hybrids too? So the task now is to figure out how to boil down a mountain of information into just a simple one-pager. Think of it as an Info-Sheet for reporters.

[finally_got_one]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ May 5 2006, 08:57 AM) [snapback]250246[/snapback]</div>

The purpose of a press-kit is to provide a quick, complete, self-contained resource. No further research is required, though they could use it as an idea-list for in-depth reports. After all, many of us are sick of the same old MPG/cost articles. This will help prevent that. All they need will be right there and very to-the-point.

They really like that. This method of information sharing is a common practice among other topics of interest, why not hybrids too? So the task now is to figure out how to boil down a mountain of information into just a simple one-pager. Think of it as an Info-Sheet for reporters.
[/b]

Some info I would like to see would be average lbs smog/tank (broken down by type: NOx, SOx, CO2, Particulate Matter), lbs smog/mile (similarly broken down), given that all smog-control devices are working properly, for the Prius, a gasoline-only vehicle of similar weight, a 'dino' diesel vehicle of similar weight, and a biodiesel vehicle of similar weight. Over many different trips, so N would have to be included, too...

[rfred]

Hi John,

I've been lurking around here for a while and one of things that I've noticed is how happy owners of Prii are. Another thing that strikes me as encouraging is that Prius drivers, at least partly because the car requires some effort on the part of the driver to operate at peak efficiency, tend to operate their vehicles more safely than others. Hybrid Synergy Drive indeed!

Hell, I've been a happier person just knowing that I have one on order...

I hope there's a way to put in the Press Kit that a Prius is a not only responsible choice for a car, but is also fun to drive.

[john1701a]

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