Toyota's Kinto Factory service allow customers to retain cars

Currently, the service is undergoing a trial program in Japan and is offered on only a few models.

Toyota Motor Corp. is said to introduce a new service next year, allowing customers to hold on to their current vehicles for a longer period. The new service, called 'Kinto Factory', will offer a number of hardware and software update options, which will help keep customer cars "up to date".

The new program will allow owners to install several software features, including safety techs like lane-changing and parking assist onto their current cars. Toyota will also expand these updates to allow customers to customise various car functions in the future.

Apart from the software updates, the service will also include a few hardware updates, allowing the replacement of damaged seats and steering wheels; among others.

The services offered will range from 10,000 yen to 100,000 yen (approx. US$87 - $874). It will be offered on both Toyota and Lexus models.

Currently, the service is undergoing a trial program in Japan and is offered on only a few models: Prius, Aqua, Alphard and the Lexus NX.

Toyota will accept service requests via a dedicated website. It will be offered at a number of company dealerships in the future as well.

Source: The Asahi Shimbun