# Petroleum-Powered Umbrellas Michael Stanley's Personal Car Parasol Beats the Heat By Michael Hines | Published 2011-07-27 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-car-parasol References: [ecofriend](http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/designer-develops-personal-parasol-car-cool/) & [kansascity](http://www.kansascity.com/2011/07/21/3028666/car-beats-heat-with-personal-parasol.html) I know more than a few people who would kill to own Michael Stanley's personal car parasol. Stanley's personal car parasol was custom created by the man himself to provide his SmartCar with a little bit of shade during the brutal Kansas City summer. The personal car parasol was made using a [patio umbrella](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/novara) purchased off of [eBay](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Marketplace-based-auto-retail) and a lot of DIY spirit. Stanley only uses the umbrella when the car is parked and has surprisingly not fielded any questions with regards to making more [automotive umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weatherman-trek-umbrella). I will admit that I am a huge sucker for designs that are simple and functional like this one. Hopefully this petroleum-powered parasol will encourage other drivers to get into the DIY spirit and find other quirky ways to keep their cars cool. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Personalized Automotive Accessories:** Creating custom car accessories like personal car parasols presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the automotive industry. - **DIY Car Gadgets:** The DIY spirit in creating car accessories opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for inventive individuals in the automotive industry. - **Eco-friendly Car Cooling Solutions:** Developing eco-friendly alternatives for car cooling, such as petroleum-powered umbrellas, can disrupt the automotive industry by providing sustainable solutions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Automotive:** The automotive industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities in personalized and eco-friendly car accessories. - **DIY and Home Improvement:** The DIY industry can benefit from the trend of creating unique and functional car accessories. - **Sustainable Energy:** The sustainable energy sector can find disruptive innovation opportunities in developing eco-friendly car cooling solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [One-Click Car Protection Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-safety-device.md) - [Connected Dual Functioning Umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hulasol.md) - [Branded Smartphone Parasols](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phone-parasol.md) - [Flying Umbrella Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flying-umbrella.md) - [Sturdy Heat Relief Umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aliz-umbrella.md) - [Thermoregulating Car Cloaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-cloak.md) - [Space-Inspired Folding Umbrellas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloombrella.md) - [Modular Umbrella-Made Trading Stalls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/umbrella-crate-stall.md) - [Marine-Grade Sun Shades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-shibumi-shade.md)