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Hypothetical Hymotion L5 Priuschat Group Buy Poll

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by efusco, Apr 29, 2008.

?
  1. Yes

    39 vote(s)
    42.9%
  2. No

    52 vote(s)
    57.1%
  1. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    well, we just got our Bonneville Power Admin kickback reinstated so we are paying as little as 5¼ cents per kwh and it will take longer than 5 years at those rates, if nothing but the cost of my own transportation is considered.

    but what about the expected drop in price due to decreased demand?? is that making the payback longer?? i think not.

    if looking at real costs, fuel is still required for many facets of our lives. EV, hybrids, etc simply dont play a part in big trucks. reducing their gas cost helps to reduce what we pay for the products they deliver.

    so, a straight calculation on just the price of gas we pay is not really giving us the true benefit of this technology. and the faster we get it off the ground, the faster it will become mainstream. there are still quite a few of us that were pretty much on the bleeding edge (although it was proven to not be much of a risk) for hybrid technology when the 04's came out. the same payback argument was there too.

    did we listen to it then? i didnt. i realized, as much of us here have, that there are other factors involved. but once again, a new technology is out and having problems gaining acceptance and most of the issue is still price, just like the Prius.

    i never really considered it, but what if i had listened to my family and bought a Corolla?... i shudder at the thought!!
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I, of course, agree with you Dave. It's just that the poster said the pay back would only be a few years...that's clearly not possible. There are many good reasons to buy this pack, but saving money is NOT one of them.
     
  3. tedb

    tedb Member

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    I would be interested -- but not until my warranty runs out. Not one of the poll choices, so I did not vote.

    Ted
     
  4. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    I am sorry to say that I had to cancel my reservation for the Hymotion Pack.

    I think it is a super deal for anyone who can afford a charitable contribution to raising awareness, and I think with gas prices climbing, the payback period could be as short as 5-6 years, but technology will keep marching forward during the first couple of years when you will see the smallest portion of the payback. It is easily conceivable that prices could go down faster than the payback recieved during the first couple of years.

    My yes to the pole is still valid though, as I could have a renewed interest at the right group price. I think the negotiation should be for the $6,500 1000 unit lot price simply due to the PR and awareness that can be raised by PriusChat enthusiasts.

    Ten vocal PriusChatters in the hand is worth more than 1000 indifferent employees driving fleet cars in the bush.
     
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    well, its always been my hope that if we present 100 firm commitments, they will give us the price anyway.
     
  6. Fibb222

    Fibb222 New Member

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    We should definitely not lose hope or consider their first rejection the final word on the subject. Perseverance might pay off.
     
  7. SeniorDad

    SeniorDad Junior Member

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    I agree.

    It's early yet and the person I e-spoke to (some fellow/a named Erin Scott) may not be the final authority.
     
  8. ibcs

    ibcs New Member

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    I talked to Erin today. They had a problem with my deposit not being automatically charged.

    She sounded very nice and she told me they are just now starting the manufacturer process of the L5. My number is 65 and she said it would be mid-October before installation.

    I've been email her several times, she appears to be in sales, but has the spreadsheet of everyone's delivery time. Unfortunately, with the overwhelming response they are getting I think a group buy will be a very hard sell.

    ---Kent
     
  9. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    By my reckoning, the initially proposed two week run-time for this exercise
    times-out today -- How time flys when you're having fun!

    Since April 29, I have watched this and other threads on PriusChat and other
    forums, and rooted around on the web for original source info. I'm not 100%
    sold on the efficacy of this upgrade, 85% is more like it. (There is the additional
    matter of getting electrical service out to the driveway.) Nonetheless, most
    indicators point towards it providing significant long-term fuel savings in my
    particular driving/commuting regime.

    Evan, put me down as a YES.

    However, for the record, it would be a tight squeeze financially ATT. I can
    handle a sizable deposit, but I would hope to be at the end of the list and not
    have to produce the full $$$ until after Sept. 2008, even better Jan. 2009.
     
  10. ibcs

    ibcs New Member

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    Don't worry as of last week they were quoting middle October at the earliest. I'm #65 on the list.

    ---Kent
     
  11. Prius 07

    Prius 07 Member

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    It's a NO for me at this time as I have nowhere to plug it in at home or work. Good luck with the group buy - one word of advice in terms of expectations: you may want to consider the marketing strategy (pricing) of this and similar technologies.
    Best of luck - I'll keep my eyes and ears open.
     
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Little bump and reminder.
    The tally is up to 39 takers on the $6500 price. The poll ends at 3:10 this afternoon.
    I am going to be gone for a week and won't be able to follow up any e-mails if I send anything to Hymotion today.

    So, I'm going to ask a volunteer to take care of the submission of an idea of a group buy. Please post here with an "I'll do it" so we don't have 5 people all sending the e-mail. Be sure to leave open the possibility of an alternate price and remind them of the eager audience out to spread the gospel of the plug-in movement.

    Then we can just see what'll happen.
     
  13. dpguest

    dpguest New Member

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    Count me in ...

    touring 08 package 2
     
  14. Cheap!

    Cheap! New Member

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    I'll do it. efusco, I just PM'ed you with my phone number.
     
  15. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    I'm a definate yes at that price.
     
  16. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    ok... im seeing "yeses" but no change in the vote tally... has everyone voted?
     
  17. Scummer

    Scummer Eh?

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    For 6500$ I think I need to jump on the bandwaggon and say yes as my wife and I travel 30 miles one way to work each day. Sounds like a perfect setup for that type of commuting.
     
  18. Cheap!

    Cheap! New Member

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    That brings us up to 43 so far. I will email Hymotion.
     
  19. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    What-did-they-say!
    What-did-they-say!
    I am wearing out the edge of my seat waiting to hear.
    What-did-they-say!
    What-did-they-say!
     
  20. Cheap!

    Cheap! New Member

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    Nothing yet, and that is a good sign. I should hear from them tomorrow. I know they are busy, but I am sure an order for 43 units doesn't come along every day.