New Prius Plug-in Advertising Campaign

Good one with the fish, the others not so much. From what I've read, Uber might be a money loser for the driver- even with a plug in Prius. Be interesting to interview Zach a year down the Uber road. Thanks for posting.

 

I wonder if this campaign suggests expanding the PiP to other states? (One can always hope.)

 

I'm a Lyft driver and I can definitely tell you that I am not even close to a money loser with my plug in.

 

I've read your posts before about working for Lyft, and it sounds good for now. But that's why I'm wondering how it will be when you've done it for a year or two- after dealing with the IRS, the insurance issues, car expenses and depreciation, etc. I do wish you the best, but having been a chauffeur as long as I have, I'm just skeptical.

 

i haven't seen any yet nathan, are you running them in the boston area?

 

They've been popping up as ads on Youtube,
I liked the fish one best, too.

 

yeah, the kids don't watch television anymore. so much more economical to hit them on social media...

 

I saw the fish one on TV prior and thought it drives home the point.

I am glad to see the support behind the education of PiP. The results from owners speak for themselves.

 

It's not like Lyft and Uber are a brand new thing for the IRS. I will report and pay my taxes as I should. Therefore, I don't see an issue with the IRS (not sure what you are referring to there). There is no issue with insurance. Lyft backs us with a million dollar policy. And not sure how much you think my car expenses and wear/tear are, but I can guarantee you they are no where near what I am making with Lyft.

(also not sure why being a chauffeur would cause you to be skeptical of this, please enlighten me)

 

Great ads Nathan!
Any chance the PiP will be rolled out nationwide soon?

 

nope. he already addressed that in another thread.

 

I remain skeptical of Uber/Lyft backing anyone with a million dollar policy, especially when they rely on your personal insurance to kick in first. Does your personal insurance allow you to convert your vehicle into a commercial vehicle for hire? Most policies don't.

 

And then there is the question as to exactly when you are under the Uber/Lyft policy. Only when actually carrying a passenger? On call awaiting a request? On the way to pick up a fare?

 

they'll figure it out as issues crop up, times are changing my friends, if you have investments in the taxi business, get out while the gettin's good.

 

There is precedent already of them covering people when their personal insurance does not.

 

Markabele,
se-riously and CharlesH raise valid points.
As for the IRS, I understand they treat cars used in livery service different from other business uses, so there may be an extra burden of record keeping. If I read it correctly, IRS rules don't allow the simple mileage deduction for a vehicle-for-hire, but rather require that you depreciate vehicles and track all the related costs. I would assume that you then would be able to deduct only the percentage of costs related to the share of business vs personal miles accumulated. (Disclosure: I am not a tax professional, and I don't do my own taxes, either. ) Wear and tear will show up at the end of use/resale time would be my guess. If you aren't getting paid for all the extra empty miles, it would seem to affect resale value with no revenue with which to offset that cost. Also, all the passengers entering and exiting the car are going to leave visible wear. If you don't believe me, take a look at the interior of an old limo with the original interior, or at any taxi more than a few months old.
I have for the most part been a corporate executive chauffeur, first for a Fortune 500 company for nearly thirty years and then for the head of a Mercedes dealership. Since retiring early about twelve years ago, I have been working as a private chauffeur. But along the way, I have known quite a few livery service owner operators, and have even done occasional driving for a few of them. They can make a decent living, but the costs of insurance and vehicle operations are substantial. However, they get considerably higher rates than what Uber and Lyft are charging. One comment from a driver for either Uber or Lyft (sorry, I don't recall which one or exactly where I read it) indicated he was making about $10 hour before taxes. I bill my clients $30 an hour, drive their vehicles, and write off roughly 55 cents per mile going to and from work locations in my own vehicle, along with deductions for meals, cell phone, etc. There is no way I could match that driving for one of these services. I'm covered under the client's insurance, and am even a named insured on the policy of my primary client. My own car is covered just like anyone else commuting to a job, because I don't hire mine out to carry passengers, which my policy excludes.

 

There is precedent already of them NOT covering people. You can read Uber's defense here:

Uber files defense in New Year's Eve death of six-year-old girl | SF Politics

 

agreed. unfortunately, toyota decided to make one of the ads about the subject, and that always leads to tangents. i think there is another thread, or at least it has been discussed ad nauseum.