90% of Prius owners have PhD's, apparently

My only PhD is in traffic school.

 

How much of the 10k was just dealer mark up?

What were some of the other items?

 

I got my Plug-in last Friday. I happen to have a PhD. If it weren't for the HOV sticker, I am not sure if I would even consider buying a Prius, but I am hoping to like it. So far my biggest dislike is the weak brakes. But I understand this car is optimized for fuel efficiency, not for performance, so I am okay with it. It is just a lot more fun drive a BMW.

 

I have a BS in CS, but the the true test of when a salesman is lying to you: Were his lips moving? Then he was lying.

 

I only have a lowly BA. With my BA skills, I calculate that there must be at least 27 Phd who replied to this thread

 

A PhD implies perseverance. And a certain amount of tenacity. Lots of LATE nights futzing with data. More reading. And meetings. And dissertations that go on and on and on. And then more reading.

I can't imagine anyone with a PhD who has the TIME to drive a Prius, much less own one!

 

I figured all prius owners have a Prius Hybrid Drive (PhD)...

 

Spiderman does have a Prius and he's hanging out here somewhere. LOL!

 

^GSW where did you get those shoes?

 

I only have an MS (in EE)... Maybe I shouldn't have purchased a Plug-in Prius!

 

well 80% of the people who have responded are PhD's as for me? never got a degree of anything (almost got an AA) despite spending nearly 3 years in college (never did find out what i wanted to do) but then again, i drive a Leaf

 

I'm surprised (but not really) to see the amount of EE's here.

Myself, a BS in EE.

 

I think that we just get more excited about new technology (and embrace it) because we better understand it (or, at least, this makes us more open to discussing it).

 

Hah. Well, it's true that typically Prius buyers are more highly educated than the average buyer, but this exact claim about 90% PhDs is just plain bogus, sorry.

Here's what I can offer up in terms of data....we do internal studies, many of you have filled out surveys for us over the years. The most recent study that captures the early buyers of the Plug-in (keep in mind this is 99% online order customers, so they tend to skew more tech savvy etc) shows that 46% have post grad educational levels. That compares to 37% for Prius Liftback (MY11 data).

Hope that sheds some light on the subject.

PS, I am so not surprised by the # of EEs on this forum

Best,
Erica Gartsbeyn
Prius Product Manager
Toyota USA

 

I wonder if the members of PriusChat match or exceed those percentages.

 

If a car salesman said it, it must be true.

 

I hope that everyone here takes this thread tongue-in-cheek, and not that those of us with advanced degrees think we are somehow smarter than others! It just means that we chose to stay in school and plug (!) through the program to get the degree. Advanced degrees are required for some professions (like MD or JD), but for others, its a choice to stay in school longer rather than get a real job right away.