We are steadily preparing a framework to respond thoroughly to the challenge, putting all the pieces in place, including the creation of new business models.

Working in an extensive and open manner, we are collaborating with partners as we strive to contribute to a better society.

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Toyota Connected Europe will be based in London to access the area’s high concentration of data scientists, engineers and software developers. Launching with an initial investment of GBP 4.5 million, the new venture is slated to employ between thirty-five and fifty people. TCEU will partner with Toyota Motor Europe, Toyota retailers and distributors in the region to support the launch of new shared mobility and fleet management solutions for consumers, businesses, governments and other stakeholders.

The company will leverage and extend Toyota’s Mobility Services Platform (MSPF), a cloud-based digital ecosystem that provides the tools necessary to bring to market mobility services including ride sharing, car sharing and remote delivery, as well as manage the European operations of the Toyota Big Data Center.

Toyota Connected Europe demonstrates the global growth of TOYOTA Connected, Toyota’s Strategic Business Unit leading development of Telematics, Big Data and the Mobility Services Platform that create new ways for people to move. The company has launched new mobility service business partnerships with Servco Pacific, Inc and Avis Budget Group through Toyota Connected North America; the e-Palette Alliance partnership with Amazon, DiDi, Mazda, Pizza Hut and Uber; and several significant partnerships with taxi companies in Japan. It has also partnered with MS&AD Insurance Group's Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co to develop the country’s first driving behaviour-based telematics automobile insurance for connected cars.

Toyota’s growing momentum in the development of advanced mobility solutions reflects the paradigm shift underway in the automobile industry driven by artificial intelligence, automated driving and connected systems.

Nokia smartphone owners can seamlessly connect their devices with Toyota Touch Life using the new industry standard connectivity protocol, MirrorLink&trade, developed by the Car Connectivity Consortium. This represents an automotive industry world-first deployment of the protocol.

In addition, Nokia smartphone users can also make use of the specially developed Nokia Car Mode app which simplifies the user interface to give direct access to the device's telephony, voice guided, turn-by-turn navigation, and music player functions. This easy-to-use GUI (graphical user interface) ensures that drivers can access only the most essential and non-distracting functions on the smartphone while the car is on the move. The Nokia "Car Mode" app, with MirrorLink&trade support, can be downloaded from the Nokia Store for devices equipped with the Symbian Belle ⁽¹⁾ operating system. When the car is stationary, Toyota Touch Life allows drivers and passengers to access the complete functionalities of their Nokia smartphones through the in-car touchscreen display. The display supports not only point-and-touch standard touchscreen capabilities but also on-screen scrolling or swiping gestures.

Apple iPhone users (running iOS 4 or later) can download the free "Application Launcher" app from the App Store to connect their devices with Toyota Touch Life. The "Application Launcher" app offers drivers and passengers access to various apps on the in-car display including the Garmin StreetPilot® ⁽²⁾ app (available for purchase from the App Store), internet radio and news apps such as AUPEO! ⁽³⁾ and Stitcher ⁽³⁾, and social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter ⁽⁴⁾ using the built-in application interface.

Complete audiovisual connectivity to the Apple iPod also comes as standard on Toyota Touch Life, giving users complete access to their music and video collection using either steering wheel-based controls or buttons located on the infotainment system.

Smartphone-vehicle connectivity with the Toyota Touch Life will continue to expand as more mobile communications and consumer electronics companies continue to implement the MirrorLink&trade industry standard.

Toyota Touch Life is the latest addition to the Toyota Touch family of infotainment products aiming to offer a new level of in-car connectivity and multimedia experience to a wider range of consumers. The Toyota Touch & Go was recently introduced for the Toyota Verso-S, Yaris and Hilux models. The Toyota Touch infotainment experience will be soon expanded with the Toyota Touch & Go Plus, making its debut for the Toyota Avensis, Prius and Verso, as well as the Toyota Touch Pro for the Toyota Prius.

⁽¹⁾ Nokia Car Mode app with MirrorLink&trade support will be available for download on Nokia 701, Nokia 700, Nokia 603, Nokia 600, expanding to include Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C7, Nokia X7 and Nokia C6-01 models at a later date. Support for Nokia N9 is also planned.

⁽²⁾ Two versions of the Garmin StreePilot® navigation app are currently supported, including maps for Western Europe and the United Kingdom and Ireland.

⁽³⁾ AUPEO! and Stitcher apps are subject to regional availability in the Apple App Store.

⁽⁴⁾ Application Launcher uses the Twitter API (application programming interface) to access Twitter.

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About Car Connectivity Consortium

The Car Connectivity Consortium is dedicated to cross-industry collaboration in developing global standards and solutions for smartphone and in-vehicle connectivity. Car Connectivity Consortium members are among the world's leading automotive, mobile communications and consumer electronics industry companies, including Toyota. For more information, please visit www.carconnectivity.org.