Toyota connects fleet customers to the future

In a world increasingly characterised by connectivity, information at our fingertips, and the old adage that “knowledge is power”, the launch of the MyToyota Fleet Lite platform is giving a major boost to small and medium (SME) fleet owners in South Africa.

Things are changing in the automotive world – and for the better! Connectivity and associated technologies are currently at the forefront of a radical transformation of the automotive industry, says Trevor Neumann, vice-president of business development, automotive for Jabil, a global electronic manufacturing services provider. He believes that by 2025, three-quarters of all new cars being produced will be connected, as opposed to 50% today, and that the vehicles of the future will be as connected as your smartphone.

Likewise, analysts from automotive and assembly corporation McKinsey & Company state that 37% of respondents to their 2020 consumer survey would switch car brands to achieve improvements in autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification and shared mobility.

This is part of a future vision that includes Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) technology, whereby all vehicles may over the next decade or two become part of one connected, interactive transport entity.

While we are still in the early stages of these technological developments, advances are already being seen in various sectors, with some insurers already tailoring their rates to driving styles, which can be supported by data.

Forging ahead in this regard, the new MyToyota Fleet Lite platform is a much-anticipated extension to the Toyota Connect connectivity hub first launched by Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) in 2019, in collaboration with Altron (through Netstar) and Vodacom Business.

At that time, TSAM was the only manufacturer in South Africa offering customers a mobile app that was fully integrated with manufacturer and dealer systems. TSAM was also a global pioneer in offering the convergence of Wi-Fi and connectivity features in one package, across the entire Toyota and Lexus model ranges.

Terrific benefits for small and medium fleet owners

The MyToyota Fleet Lite platform now brings this pioneering connectivity to SME fleet owners with fleets of up to 50 vehicles. The connected vehicle experience expands on the offerings currently available for B2C within the MyToyota and MyLexus apps, to include a B2B solution as part of the ownership experience.

MyToyota Fleet Lite forms part of an ongoing and essential customer-oriented drive from TSAM to deliver Toyota Connect’s additional connectivity benefits to all customers, regardless of the size of their fleet. The offering opens up a wide range of new opportunities, by offering convenience beyond product as part of the ownership experience. With this in mind, Toyota Connect and MyToyota Fleet Lite provide benefits in three main areas: Connectivity, Safety, and Convenience.

In terms of connectivity, every new Toyota and Lexus will now come standard with in-vehicle Wi-Fi – including a once-off 15GB package of data free of charge for South African customers upon activation, which remains valid for 12 months. Fleet managers can now activate in-car Wi-Fi and top up in-car data directly from their offices, as well as monitor driver behaviour and a host of other features that they can customise for their own specific requirements.

This increased connectivity also plays an important role in prioritising safety. Telematics has become increasingly pivotal in monitoring and managing how drivers act on the road, improving safety as well as reducing vehicle wear and tear by encouraging high driving standards. By setting alerts for negative driver behaviour like speeding, as well as harsh braking and cornering, Toyota Connect has taken this a step further with the Driver Score feature, which allows owners and managers to review driver ratings and keep track of their scores and overall behaviour. This enables proactive, real-time management and monitoring of driver behaviour.