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Featured Special "Happy 20th Birthday" show on What Drives Us This Week

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by TonyPSchaefer, Oct 6, 2020.

  1. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    It all came together rather quickly, but this week's What Drives Us show will be dedicated entirely to the 20 year history of Prius. We will have people from Toyota Marketing North America. Yes, even Doug from "Prius Team" will be there. We will talk about how the Gen 1 Prius came about and how they progressed all the way to the Prius Prime. Perhaps we will be able to coerce some future speculation out of them. But only if everyone promises to sing a non-disclosure.

    Lots of stories and reminiscing about our own Prii, Prius-related events, and much much more.

    I know it's extremely short notice, but feel free to share your Prius stories and we'll try to share them on the show.

    The show will record 8:00pm CST Wednesday night, October 7, and will post to YouTube shortly thereafter.

    Find it at on Thursday at YouTube.com/WhatDrivesUs
     
    #1 TonyPSchaefer, Oct 6, 2020
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    #2 Raytheeagle, Oct 6, 2020
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  3. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    View the show here.
    Special thanks to the Toyota Prius team, past and present, for taking the time to share their memories, thoughts, and projections.

     
    #3 TonyPSchaefer, Oct 9, 2020
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  4. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Excellent discussion.

    It reminded me of the days when I first joined PriusChat as I was preparing to buy my 2010 Prius. The "Prius team" was quite active on the site but doesn't participate these days. I wish they (and Danny as well) would become active again. Maybe they feel that they can't say anything or don't have anything to say. They certainly wouldn't say anything about a next gen Prius, even whether there will even be one.
     
    #4 royrose, Oct 9, 2020
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  5. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    well - Danny DOES still do those podcasts . . . . and i know there LOTS of folks wanting attention to the store . . .
    ;)
    .
     
    #5 hill, Oct 15, 2020
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    who from what team?

    if they had more spine, they'd be here. a little constructive criticism never hurt anyone.

    i'm on another forum where a manufacturer employee is a product user and active member.

    it is so much more helpful than toyota's silence nonsense
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 15, 2020
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  7. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Unfortunately silence seems to be Toyota's corporate MO these days. And I don't think it's a wise posture. On the Rav4 hybrid forum they could get a lot of goodwill and calm a lot of owners who are concerned with the gas tank filling problem but their lack of communication just leads to more anger and speculation.

    Here they could build excitement about future vehicles (whether they are labeled Prius or not) and reinforce Toyota loyalty.
     
    #7 royrose, Oct 15, 2020
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It would be nice if @Prius Team would participate ;).

    When @3PriusMike and I did the Prius Challenge, they said there would be a second event the following year:).

    Guess what never happened :whistle:?

    Oh well, life moves along(y).
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Oct 15, 2020
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  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    They moved to Texas and became:
    [​IMG]

    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Oct 15, 2020
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  10. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    not as much time now days .... Prius Team gotta switch gears & start up the Mirai Challenge. We're now the red-headed step kids.
    ;)
    .
     
    #10 hill, Oct 27, 2020
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Maybe they'll found Mirai Chat:coffee:.

    I'm sure it'll have plenty of members(y).
     
    #11 Raytheeagle, Oct 27, 2020
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  12. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Unfortunately, Prius Team was primarily Erica and Doug. Doug moved to another position within Toyota and Erica left Toyota and is working for another company (not car related). Even while they were there, their budget for social media and online organic growth was being cut. After they left, the new people in charge of Prius were not at engaged (or engaging) as those two.

    I try to focus on what they did while they were there. They created excitement, got people engaged. They leaked information and allowed us owners to feel like we were truly part of something bigger than ourselves. Unfortunately, that kind of effort is entirely internal; you can't force enthusiasm and outreach onto someone else.
     
    #12 TonyPSchaefer, Nov 4, 2020
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    toyota probably hated it
     
    #13 bisco, Nov 4, 2020
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