New Prius Plug-in Advertising Campaign

We need more fun ads like that. How about something with the cargo space?

 

i think he should have unplugged the aquarium, maybe show him eating a fish sandwich as he's driving off in his freely charged pip.

 

I think they will all sell cars, however...
First one: Cute.
Second one: A bit misleading to the masses; they will see only "96 MPG" and doubt the claim. If you know what MPGe is, you probably either own a hybrid, or you're planning to buy one.
Third one: If you're willing to sit through this one, same as above; preaching to the converted.

 

Realistically, unplugging the refrigerator for an hour or two would not hurt anything, particularly if it was not opened in the interim. Besides, typically refrigerators in garages tend to be older, inefficient ones, and it would probably be a good idea to disconnect it occasionally anyway.

 

it does make me wonder the intent. no place to plug in? throw the evse in the back and forget about it? why buy a plug in if you can't plug in?

 

They still have to catch up, using the same amount of net energy. If you want to save more money, add extra insulation around the outside, and increase airflow around the condenser.

I think the notion that you don't have to plug in every time you park is a good one. In my case, I don't worry about the lack of a plug-in opportunity, but I plug in whenever I can.

 

Sorry, Mark. That was my fault for commenting about the Uber connection in post #2, but it was directly due to Toyota having included the bit about Zach in the ad, as bisco said.

 

Toyota really emphasizes the "you don't HAVE to plug it in; just drive it" aspect when attacking BEVs.

 

I realize this is a commercial, but I'm left wondering:

1) Why buy a plug in if you have no place at home to plug in? Seems to reinforce the perception that a charging station is needed.
2) Why unplug the aquarium, and share the plug with the refrigerator? Yes, there's the disclaimer to use a dedicated 15A circuit, but the suggestion to share the circuit with the refrigerator is a bad idea, since the refrigerator will draw at least 4-5 amps and an initial amperage spike much higher than nominal at start up.

Perhaps a future commercial can highlight the absence of range anxiety instead.

 

I used to suffer from both range anxiety and fuel-economy anxiety.

But I'm "much better" now.

 

1) The commercial indicates that this is at a friend's home. ("Just pull into the garage if you want to plug in.")
2) Where does the idea of sharing the circuit with the refrigerator come from? Yes, that would not be a good idea, due to the surge when the compressor starts.

 

Hmmm........ Ever heard the expression, "dumb it down for the average consumer?" The only people who will notice things like the refrigerator on the circuit are current owners/enthusiasts.

 

I like the first one best. Would have appealed to a different audience if just before he pulled the plug on the refrigerator, opened the door and noticed the cold beer and just said, "Oh hell no!"

 

Toyota should show the PiP commercials during Under The Dome.

 

I lived through the era of cheap energy, when we didn't give a thought to the thinness of the insulation in our walls, the 12-mpg vehicles we drove, or the monthly power bill. I gained a new appreciation for energy-efficiency when I lived off the grid for awhile, and since that time, I've not only switched to driving a hybrid, but I have also switched to LED lighting in my home, and gone with a high-efficiency furnace and thermal windows. Actually, being energy-efficient is a bit of a kick.

 

Everyone else did too. That was just a few years ago.

The difference is some participated, while others watched with disappointment about the careless promotion of wasteful products... avoiding it themselves by doing things like driving a Prius.

 

Well, I was referring to the particularly egregious period in the early seventies before the Chevette was even a concept. The only "economy cars" were imports.

 

These are the best US Prius ads, but that's not saying much. What's the point in advertising a PiP when you can't find one on the lot? (I just checked 3 NJ dealers.) Since I can't find a PiP or a Leaf I'll have to settle for an 89mpge Tesla.

 

Out of the six dealers around me, only one has any PiPs and they're leftovers, 2 2012s and 1 2013.