How Can You Tell Someones Drives a Prius?

Tweet

If you know the answer to this joke ("they'll tell you") then consider this for a moment: one thing I notice from monitoring social networks and watching tv/movies is that the Toyota Prius seems to catch a lot of humor from people who enjoy making cracks at it. It's almost as if you're instantly tagged as an environmental awareness extremist, an egoist, or a goofball if you drive or support one, because mainstream media is telling us to think that way. For the record, I thought "Horrible Bosses" was a hilarious movie, though I personally blame it for the amount of times I've had to hear "You were drag racing...in a Prius?"

Here's the thing- the people who want to joke about or bash this car know that deep down inside, if they could get 50 MPG and a built in navigation/infotainment system (Entune), they'd jump at the chance. There's a reason the Prius has been around so long and is seen as the flagship hybrid vehicle of the entire automotive industry!

The desire to want to tell everyone about your new car is pretty natural too, so why is it any different to geek out over efficiency rather than performance? As I discussed previously, there is still a notion in some people's heads that you can't buy a car unless it's from Ford, GM, or Chevy, and if you do, it has to be a gas guzzler that goes from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. Is that really something to be proud of, and yet getting great gas mileage isn't? It seems like a double standard in this case.

As this video from CNET shows, you can recoup the cost of an average car with the gas saved by purchasing a Prius in about 5 years. It's even faster if you drive more than 15,000 miles a year or if you practice hypermiling techniques. On top of that, it has a built in sensor that shows you the average miles per gallon you are attaining on a monthly basis. How cool is that?

Do you think we're too quick to lump drivers of certain vehicles into stereotypes these days? What other shows or movies have you seen where the character is defined by the car he/she drives?

Gamification: Does it Have a Place in the Automotive World?

Tweet

Unlocking achievements, badges, perks, comparing your score with your friends...all of these are concepts of gamification, which is slowly creeping its way into every aspect of our lives.
I can attest to the addictive nature of it, seeing as how I use FourSquare constantly. Every time I check in to a new restaurant or public place, my phone tells me how many virtual "points" I've earned, and how I stack up to my friends who are also on the site. What does that make me want to do? Why, visit more places to beat my friends of course!

As consumers, we already see some examples of gamification already, when it pertains to the automotive world. Ever get a flyer in the mail from a dealership that has a scratch off sheet, or a key attached that could possibly unlock the door of a new car that you can win? Those are both examples, albeit on the sales side of things. However, more and more companies are using gamification to make doing what we often assume are mundane or repetitive tasks more fun. Thinking about this gave me an idea- could the concept of it be used in the car world as an educational device to help make better drivers out of everyone?

Imagine the following hypothetical scenarios:

A. You're driving a new Toyota and the Entune display has an option to show you how efficient you're driving. It is able to record how much MPG you're getting, and measure how often you are slamming the brakes or accelerating too fast (resulting in decreased fuel efficiency). Then, it takes the data collected from you and awards you points for driving your car optimally. You could unlock badges such as the "Green Machine" for driving, say,  X amount of miles without having to fuel up your car. Or you could get points for utilizing other hypermiling techniques. The system can compare how well you're driving with your friends or other strangers across the country, giving you a sense of friendly competition.
Best of all, the virtual points you earn could then be used as some sort of virtual currency, perhaps allowing you to save a bit of money on getting your vehicle serviced in the future, or go towards a donation to charity.

B. What if traffic cameras instead turned into a speeding ticket lottery? Where abiding by  the law could earn you a bonus that those who break the law would have to pay. This would give drivers the incentive to slow down and create less accidents as a result of positive reinforcement. The stipulation could be that every driver who doesn't get a traffic violation during the year gets an entry, and there can be one or multiple winners drawn who get a percentage of the revenue generated.

Do you think the trend of gamification should spread into more aspects of our lives?

What is Your New Year's Automotive Resolution?

Tweet

Happy New Year! 

This is the time of year when perhaps you, your friends, or family all start making resolutions about what they want to accomplish. Whether shedding a few pounds, traveling to exotic lands, or perhaps landing a dream job, we all have different ideas for what a resolution should be.
However, have you thought about a New Year's resolution with your current (or future) car in mind?
Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Calling a cab (or friend) more often when you're too tired/drunk to drive
Remember the original Austin Powers movie? After seeing Mr. 2 hit on a 17, Mike Meyers famously exclaimed at the blackjack table, "I also like to live dangerously!" before staying with a two and three. The dealer flipped over 20. Driving impaired is like playing with a huge house advantage and keeping bad cards. Why take such a huge risk to your license and your car? Phone a friend or taxi and get a ride home.

2. Getting an oil change at proper intervals
Most newer Toyota vehicles (2010 and up) can be driven for 10,000 miles before needing an oil change. Older vehicles can go 5-6000 miles. Schedule a service appointment and keep your car in shape!

3. Practice some hypermiling techniques
As outlined in my previous blog, there are several tips you can utilize to get better gas mileage and to drive your car longer before having to gas up again. Small savings can add up over the course of a year!

4. Learn to drive a stick
Maybe you've always wanted to learn, in case you someday buy that fancy sports car that only comes outfitted with a seven-speed manual transmission. Or perhaps you want to have better control over your vehicle. Did you know that manual transmissions give better overall gas mileage, compared to an automatic? For example, the 2012 Toyota Yaris gets 38, compared to the automatic, which gets 35.

5. Have your car detailed
Keep your ride looking nice! Get the rugs shampooed, the exterior waxed...you could even upgrade and get yourself a sun roof or leather seats. Want some work done? Our detail shop can do it! Contact them to learn more.


Do you have any other automotive New Year's resolutions?