Toyota launches “Toyota Share” Car-Sharing service and “Chokunori” Toyota Rent-a-Car service in Japan

Toyota Motor Corporation announced the nationwide rollout in Japan of “Toyota Share”, a car-sharing service provided by Toyota dealers and Toyota rental and leasing branches, and “Chokunori”, a new unmanned rent-a-car service. Both services will be available starting on October 28.

Toyota is working to provide new mobility services with deep local ties by collaborating with nationwide Toyota dealers and Toyota rental and leasing branches with the aim of becoming a mobility company in a once-in-a-century transformational period.

Toyota will provide a range of mobility services to fulfill the diversifying automobile needs of customers as a shift is made from car ownership to car use. Toyota has been conducting verification tests, mainly in the Tokyo region, of Toyota Share since January 2019 and of Chokunori since May 2019.

Service structures were created including construction of nationwide common systems and development of apps and devices based on the opinions and comments received from customers through the verification tests regarding the vehicle quality expected from a manufacturer and comments related to apps.

Going forward, services will be expanded in stages with a focus on Toyota dealers and Toyota rental and leasing branches as preparations are completed. With the launch of Toyota Share and Chokunori as an add-on to Toyota rent-a-car services, Toyota seeks to respond to an even broader range of use needs, creating opportunities for customers to effortlessly use various vehicles, enriching the car-based lifestyles of customers, and increasing the number of car enthusiasts.

Toyota constructed a nationwide common service system and developed apps and devices. Toyota dealers and Toyota rental and leasing branches will use the above tools to operate these businesses.

The platform attracts no admission fees or monthly membership fees; rates are set at reasonable levels to facilitate short-term use. Cars are equipped with safety features to enable customers to drive in clean vehicles with peace of mind. An extensive lineup of Toyota vehicles is available including compact cars, minivans, and SUVs. Toyota plans to expand the lineup even further, including new models, in the future.

In addition to developing a dedicated app, Toyota developed a Smart Key Box (SKB) that allows customers to unlock and lock vehicles using a smartphone, and TransLog II, a device that captures vehicle information (position and driving distance) necessary for car-sharing operations. Customers can use a smartphone to perform member registration, unlock and lock vehicles, return vehicles, and pay the fees.

Toyota will continue to enhance services in the future to provide even greater convenience by increasing payment methods, awarding points to customers according to their driving technique, and offering car-sharing services to corporate customers.

Chokunori is a new service that maintains Toyota Rent-a-Car quality and rates while reducing rental and return procedure times by offering unmanned rentals. Unlike Toyota Rent-a-Car services, one-way use is not permitted; driving distance charges are collected by equipping vehicles with a fuel card. Like Toyota Share, Toyota constructed a nationwide common service system and developed a dedicated app and new devices to support effortless use.

To enable as many customers as possible the opportunity to experience the conveniences of the Toyota Share service, Toyota will offer a chance to try Toyota Share for free as an event marking the nationwide rollout of the service. The campaign will be conducted at Odaiba Palette Town (at VenusFort and Mega Web) over eight days from October 28 to November 4 during the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019, which will be held in the Odaiba area.