One of the targets for many car makers looking to close the loop of car manufacturing to create a fully recycled and recyclable car is the idea of refreshing an older car. Instead of trading in after three years and buying a new car (with all of its associated carbon footprint), the idea is that you bring your existing car in, and it gets refreshed with a new interior, maybe some new software, and other upgrades
Japan-only, for now
This sort of programme, or at least an early version, is now being rolled out in Japan by Toyota. It's initially being made available for the Prius as part of the Kinto Unlimited-Exclusive Prius U Grade subscription scheme. For now, this is a Japan-only plan.
As part of this, you can retrofit new technology to a car you've already bought. This includes the latest Advanced Park technology, which can automatically slot your car into a space. Other tech that can be fitted after buying the car includes a blind spot monitor, panoramic view camera, parking support brake with rear pedestrian detection, and steering wheel heating.
Expand the upgrade menu
Toyota says: "We will continue to consider expanding the upgrade menu to include large-screen display audio, heated seats, seat ventilation, and synthetic leather seats to meet customer needs."
Is this Toyota rolling out subscriptions for extras? Kind of, but there is an option to pay a single fee for anything you want to add to your car post-purchase, or you can add it to your existing Kinto subscription. We would assume that this sort of idea will filter through to PCP plans and other finance packages eventually.
The whole thing works through the Toyota Kinto app, and the prices include €634 for the advanced safety pack (which includes the blind spot monitor, safe door opening warning, and other emergency braking features) or €775 for the surround-view camera system. Steering wheel heating costs a mere €246.
Streamlined production
Toyota, of course, gets a double-whammy benefit from this system - not only does it get customers to pay for their upgrades, but it also means it can streamline its production systems as all of the hardware for these systems can simply be fitted to all of the cars being built, rather than having individual options fitted to individual cars.
"Toyota will continue its transformation into a mobility company by expanding upgrade menus and models to evolve cars so that customers can continue driving their beloved cars for many years to come," said a spokesperson.