205Lab3


 * __Toyota Prius__**

I chose to discuss the STORY behind the Toyota Prius.

Toyota Prius was considered the first mass produced hybrid car. Ever since its release it caught the world by storm. The Prius offered consumers with the story of 'Going Green'. Everyone from environmentalists to celebrities started buying into the 'Going Green' story. Numerous research has shown that the Toyota Prius does infact have a higher environmental cost to produce. Building the Prius requires various parts that have to be imported from various corners of the earth. This requires shipping and transporting costs that further polute the planet. Furthermore, one episode of Top Gear demonstrated how the Prius actually burn more gallons per mile than a BMW M3!

Did any of this matter? No. The story has already been sold. Everyone was buying into the 'Going green by buying a Prius' idea. The idea has already been planted in the product. Its not how efficient the car is anymore but the ideology behind and the subcultures it produced. The Prius gained so much attention that various comedy shows such as South Park made fun of the idea of buying a Prius and the Smugness of people that drive them.