Toyota evolves the new 5th generation Prius! Proposing “”KINTO Unlimited,”” an upgradeable system even after purchase! The initiative that will “”change the way you interact”” with your car!
What are the subs that will “”evolve”” the safety and other aspects of the car even after delivery?
On December 7, 2022, Toyota announced the introduction of “”KINTO Unlimited,”” a new system that evolves the company’s “”KINTO”” subscriber service, for the new Prius model scheduled for release this winter.
In addition to enabling post-purchase “”evolution”” in terms of both software and hardware in terms of safety and functionality, the new system will also realize “”monitoring”” using connected devices.
“”Innovative”” in both appearance and shifting! The new Toyota Prius, which is about to go on sale, in 51 photos.
Toyota’s new 5th generation “”Prius”” will be unveiled for the first time in the world on November 16, 2022, and is scheduled to go on sale in Japan this winter (PHEV models will go on sale in the spring of 2023).
The term “”subscription,”” which has been heard in many industries in recent years, stands for “”subscription service.
It refers to a new style of ownership in which goods and services are not purchased or owned with cash or loans, but can be easily used for a fixed period of time by paying a fixed amount on a regular basis, and is currently gaining popularity in various business models.
Toyota is also rolling out KINTO, a subscriber service, for new and used vehicles starting in 2019.
KINTO’s fixed monthly service fee includes not only the vehicle itself, but also the costs associated with the vehicle, such as voluntary insurance, automobile tax, registration fees, and regular vehicle maintenance.
The number of users is growing, with the total number of KINTO applications reaching 52,000 as of the end of November 2022, an increase of 22,000 over the previous year.
Meanwhile, Toyota analyzes that user needs are becoming more complex and diverse.
For example, the need to “”continue to drive a car with peace of mind”” is not realistic because it requires users to switch cars in order to receive the benefits of the latest technology, which continues to evolve every day, in a timely manner.
However, users are also increasingly interested in keeping their car life expenses as low as possible.
In response to this trend, Toyota and KINTO have been working together to create a new service that “”continuously provides added value even after the vehicle has been delivered,”” which has been difficult to achieve with conventional vehicles, by making changes starting with vehicle manufacturing. We have launched a new service, KINTO Unlimited.
Specifically, KINTO Unlimited responds to new needs by adding two value-added services: evolution (updates) and monitoring (connectivity).
The value maintained is allocated in advance to a reduction in the monthly fee for subscriptions, allowing users to use the service at a more reasonable price.
Toyota is evolving the new 5th generation Prius! Proposing “”KINTO Unlimited,”” an upgradeable system even after purchase! What is the initiative that will “”change your relationship”” with cars?
The new KINTO Unlimited service details the value-added features of the new KINTO Unlimited service in four different ways.
You can update it even more! The new KINTO Unlimited service will enable “”evolution”” and “”monitoring”” of the new Toyota’s 5th generation “”Prius”” even after the contract is signed!
The first is “”software updates.
For the first time in a Toyota vehicle, the concept of “”OTA (Over The Air)”” has been introduced, enabling functional evolution by updating the vehicle’s software to the latest version, just like a PC or smartphone.
This cost is included in the monthly fee, so there is no additional burden on the user.
The second is hardware upgrades.
In anticipation of future upgrades, Toyota’s first “”upgrade-ready design”” specification includes the addition of harnesses and other equipment necessary for retrofitting from the time the new vehicle is manufactured.
In addition to the addition of comfort equipment, the new model is prepared for the evolution of advanced driving support functions, etc., whose performance has been remarkably improved.
For starters, the lineup includes a blind spot monitor, panoramic view monitor, and heated steering wheel, with more to be added in the future.
Each item will be available in two options: as a one-time purchase or as an addition to the subscriber’s monthly fee.
The third is the “”Connected Driver Trainer.
Based on driving data, the system analyzes and diagnoses a driver’s driving tendencies and provides safe driving advice through a dedicated application.
The fourth is “”Connected Car Care.
The system adds a function that determines the periodic inspections that were previously performed at regular intervals, such as every six months, based on individual vehicle data, and provides information on how to perform oil changes and other inspections at more optimal times.
As of December 7, the new Prius has not yet been officially launched, so details such as KINTO Unlimited’s price and grade settings have not been disclosed.
Toyota plans to start the service with some grades of the new Prius and expand it to other models based on the response.