Prius Press-Kits

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.

 

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."

 

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*

 

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.

 

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

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...

 

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.

 

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

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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*

 

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.