PLANO, Texas, March 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Connected
North America, the global technology strategy business unit for
Toyota, today announced a multi-year partnership with Avis Budget
Group, a leading global provider of mobility solutions, that will
add 10,000 Toyota vehicles to Avis Car Rental's expanding fleet of
connected cars. Avis Budget Group will utilize Toyota's proprietary
Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) to enable greater operational and
rental fleet efficiency while creating a more seamless rental
experience for customers.
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"At Toyota Connected North America, we are leveraging the power
of data science to develop and deliver new mobility services that
create new value for businesses and customers alike," said
Zack Hicks, chief executive officer
and president, Toyota Connected North America. "Toyota's mobility
services platform will provide Avis Budget Group with enhanced
connectivity and visibility into their fleet, and bring travelers
increased control and convenience over their rental
experience."
The Toyota vehicles will deliver increased benefits to Avis
customers by tapping into Toyota's proprietary MSPF, a suite of
advanced software and connected services that support mobility
businesses. The platform's telematics data API (application
programming interface) will enable customers to receive real-time
rental information via the Avis mobile app, which includes virtual
odometer readings and fuel levels, and will assist them in locating
the vehicle. The connected services provided by the telematics
interface will also allow for greater fleet management
capabilities, improve informatics, and enable shorter vehicle
check-in and check-out processing times.
Toyota's MSPF is already being used to support a range of
businesses and test programs, including car share programs,
use-based car insurance pricing, and fleet management. Servco
Pacific Inc., the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Hawaii, is currently using MSPF to launch a
new Honolulu-based car share
business through an application developed and managed by Toyota
Connected North America that supports driver identification
and authentication, plus payment and fleet management. Getaround, a
San Francisco-based, peer-to-peer
car-sharing company, is leveraging MSPF and connected car
technology to allow drivers to seamlessly and securely rent, locate
and drive Toyota vehicles with a Smart Key Box (SKB) that lets
users lock and unlock vehicles and start the engine via a
smartphone.
About Toyota Connected North America
Based in Plano, Texas, Toyota
Connected North America (TCNA) was established in 2016 to drive
Toyota's global efforts for an intelligent mobile society. With big
data collected from vehicles and analyzed on a cloud platform, TCNA
humanizes the driving experience by freeing customers from the
tyranny of technology via secure, seamless and contextual services,
elevating the customer experience transparently while benefitting
dealers, distributors, and partners. Analyzing traffic patterns,
driver behavior and connecting drivers with infrastructure and
other information is only part of TCNA's work that will open new
services and products to keep the car as a beloved companion.
Media Contacts
Brian Lyons
(469) 292-3573
Brian.lyons@toyota.com
Ming-Jou Chen
(469) 292-3799
Ming-jou.chen@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Connected North America