Toyota to transition all its vehicle models to 'software-defined vehicles' by 2030

\ \ [Financial News] Japanese automaker Toyota Motor has decided to equip all its vehicle models with its proprietary software by 2030.
\ \ According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 17th, Toyota said at a technology briefing for investors earlier this month that it plans to equip all its vehicle models with its proprietary software, Arene, converting its approximately 50 models into software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
An SDV is a car whose functions can be enhanced through software updates, much like a smartphone.
The plan is to equip the 10 million new vehicles delivered each year with Arene, enabling their functions to be enhanced through software updates even after purchase.
Arene began being installed in the Toyota RAV4, an SUV launched last year.
Toyota plans to expand the number of vehicles equipped with Arene by offering it for all Toyota models by 2030 and to automakers partnered with Toyota in 2035.
After that, Toyota also plans to install Arene not only in cars but also in communication devices embedded in infrastructure such as robots, homes and utility poles.
The idea is to connect cars and infrastructure through communications, so that a home's lights turn on when a car approaches, or a communications device on a utility pole signals the presence of a pedestrian.
Toyota plans to transition all its vehicle models to SDVs and focus on post-sale 'value chain businesses,' including systems that support safe driving through wireless communications, software feature updates and sales of replacement parts.
Toyota has set a goal of increasing operating profit in business segments other than new-car sales to 3 trillion yen (about 25.4 trillion won) by fiscal 2030, 40% above the current level.


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