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Hybrid owners (past and current) birth years?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by bwilson4web, Nov 21, 2009.

?
  1. <1914

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. 1915-1919

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. 1920-1924

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. 1925-1929

    1 vote(s)
    0.6%
  5. 1930-1934

    1 vote(s)
    0.6%
  6. 1935-1939

    7 vote(s)
    4.2%
  7. 1940-1944

    12 vote(s)
    7.2%
  8. 1945-1949

    19 vote(s)
    11.4%
  9. 1950-1954

    21 vote(s)
    12.7%
  10. 1955-1959

    25 vote(s)
    15.1%
  11. 1960-1964

    17 vote(s)
    10.2%
  12. 1965-1969

    9 vote(s)
    5.4%
  13. 1970-1974

    13 vote(s)
    7.8%
  14. 1975-1979

    20 vote(s)
    12.0%
  15. 1980-1984

    15 vote(s)
    9.0%
  16. 1985-1989

    5 vote(s)
    3.0%
  17. 1990-1994

    1 vote(s)
    0.6%
  18. 1995-1999

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  19. >2000

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Last bump ... 142 ... excellent!

    Merry Christmas!

    Analysis begins tomorrow.

    SNEEK PREVIEW:
    Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
    0 age years prius % census % -lost or +up
    1 82.5 1925-1929 0.71% 3.61% -2.90%
    2 ... ... ... ... ...
    3 17.5 1990-1994 0.71% 8.37% -7.66%
    2000 census vs PriusChat poll

    The final will post shortly after the poll closes. <grins>

    Bob Wilson
     
  2. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Think I messed up your figures by voting as I'm a Brit. I suppose we all speak the same language so all's ok.

    I notice the interesting drop for the 1965-1969 banding. I'd have thought those born around the 'hippy' time would be more interested in saving fuel and resources - or maybe they rebelled?
     
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I'm Bob's imaginary friend.
     
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Well if we ignore the "self selection" of participants versus random sampling, I don't see having a few non-USA participants really hurts the accuracy that much. <grins>

    For good measure, I'll attach the spreadsheet with the USA census data. Our non-USA folks can compare the USA population distribution to their own and see if there is a significant difference in age distributions.

    This is a 'fun' poll that may raise some insights about our community as well as 'what the hey?' There are professional polling and marketing companies that make a living from looking at populations and try to spot trends. For example, CNW Marketing comes to mind ... <grins>
    There has been no update by CNW Marketing after June 2008 when gasoline prices were running $3-4/gallon. Hummm.

    Bob Wilson
     
  5. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Bob,

    When I look at the distribution, rather than an "interesting drop for
    the 1965-1969 banding," I see evidence of two possible "populations,"
    "baby boomers" and then some 20 years later, "children of baby
    boomers."

    They would be what, "Gen-Xers?"
     
  6. Mjolinor

    Mjolinor New Member

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    I thought they spoke English in Harrogate, not American? :)
     
  7. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Ooooh now you're being controversial. :rolleyes:

    Our American friends speak English with a few colonial differencies which I make allowances for :D

    Was it Winston Churchill who said we are two nations divided by a common language?
     
  8. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    gee Bob. cant imagine why anyone born as recently as 1995 has not voted yet
     
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Ok,

    Graphed, it looks like this:
    [​IMG]
    Looks like there is a gap of Prius ownership by the 'middle aged' group. Is there a name for that generation?

    I was surprised by the 'gap in the middle age':
    Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6
    0 average age years prius % census % diff. % lost owners
    1 82.5 1925-1929 0.60% 3.61% -3.00% -5
    2 77.5 1930-1934 0.60% 3.88% -3.28% -5
    3 72.5 1935-1939 4.22% 4.40% -0.18% 0
    4 67.5 1940-1944 7.23% 5.48% 1.75% 3
    5 62.5 1945-1949 11.45% 7.16% 4.29% 7
    6 57.5 1950-1954 12.65% 8.18% 4.47% 7
    7 52.5 1955-1959 15.06% 9.14% 5.92% 10
    8 47.5 1960-1964 10.24% 9.24% 1.00% 2
    9 42.5 1965-1969 5.42% 8.35% -2.93% -5
    10 37.5 1970-1974 7.83% 7.89% -0.06% 0
    11 32.5 1975-1979 12.05% 7.72% 4.33% 7
    12 27.5 1980-1984 9.04% 8.23% 0.80% 1
    13 22.5 1985-1989 3.01% 8.36% -5.34% -9
    14 17.5 1990-1994 0.60% 8.37% -7.76% -13
    The lower and upper age groups are probably income limited. The younger ones don't have the income for a new Prius and the older ones are likely on fixed incomes. It is a pattern I would expect regardless of vehicle. But the 'middle aged gap' was a surprise.

    Any ideas about what happened to those born 1962-1972?

    • +5-12 years - kindergarden through grade school
    • +12-15 years - middle school
    • +15-18 years - high school
    • +18-22 years - college
    We've often heard skeptics claiming Prius owners are "making a statement" but perhaps it is more accurate that the missing Prius owners are the ones "making a statement." Of course it is possible the Prius may be a vehicle whose profile does not appeals to those raising a family.
    It might be interesting to see a Prius commercial where a parent is driving the car with some tweens and one of the kids says,"Cool Daddy, you're getting great mileage! Can I have $10 for the mall?" ... Fade to "Prius, the car that leaves you with change for the mall."
    I am encouraged by the younger bump of owners. In 5 years when we do this poll again, it will be interesting to see if the young group continues to expand and the 'middle age, dead band' continues to age ... to move up the scale. Also, we should have the 2010 USA census in about a year. This data will be perfect to compare against this poll but I suspect we won't see a big change.

    Bob Wilson

    ps. I'm in the 60-65 bucket.
     
  10. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    Your point about those raising families is probably a good insight too..( that's just horrible ).

    Here are some anecdotal observations from the front lines...
    • the Prius does appeal to 'settled' empty nesters for a number of reasons, political, environmental and budgetary;
    • individuals, more and more women, with older children are interested;
    • younger single individuals with no other repsonsibilities are increasingly choosing the Prius as their first serious vehicle.
     
  11. Bica2go

    Bica2go New Member

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    Bob,
    I like your ad idea! Prius marketing does little to appeal to the family segment, it's generally technology and mpg driven.

    I'd bet most people think the Prius is a small car and on that basis a family is less likely to consider it. Once you open the doors, you realize there's an amazing amount of room inside. When showing off my new car to friends, they consistently commented on the surprising amount of room inside. It could be a very practical car for a family, they just don't know it.
     
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    As an experiment, could you try having a child seat in the car, behind the driver seat, for a month or so? Perhaps a baby bottle with water in the passenger door water bottle holder?

    See if having a child seat behind the driver seat meets the ... maternal aspects.

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson