Toyota 2015 Annual Report Download - page 35

smooth and efficient movement of people and vehicles and to build a safe transportation environment. In addition
to VICS and ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System), which are already standard in Japan, the “Cooperative
ITS,” which combines cutting edge IT and vehicle technology, is in development and has begun to be partially
implemented.
• The “ITS Spot Service” commenced in 2009 and corresponding products are available for purchase.
Mainly for use on highways, this service provides drivers with information related to road traffic and
safe driving that is transmitted from road infrastructures to car navigation systems through video and
voice.
• In the summer of 2011, Toyota introduced products corresponding to the driving safety support system,
“DSSS,” which the National Police Agency has started operating. Mainly for use on normal roads, this
system supports safe driving, including by preventing the driver from overlooking red lights, by
transmitting traffic control information (such as traffic lights and signs) and other local information
from road infrastructures to automobiles.
• Aiming at further reducing accidents, improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2emissions, “ITS
Connect,” a new driving safety support system that uses a dedicated ITS frequency of 760 MHz, was
introduced in the fall of 2015. Through direct and continuous exchange of information between vehicles
and the road and among vehicles, this system aims to mitigate accidents near intersections, which have
been difficult to mitigate to date. The system also includes Communicating Radar Cruise Control
features, which supports fuel efficient driving and smooth acceleration and deceleration when following
behind another vehicle. Toyota plans to continue development aimed at the realization of a society in
which all drivers can move safely, smoothly and freely.
Toyota is committed to developing new ITS products. Toyota believes that intelligent transport systems will
become an integral part of its overall automotive operations and enhance the competitiveness of its vehicles. As
familiarity with and demand for ITS products grow, Toyota expects an increasing number of ITS products to
become commercially available and achieve greater acceptance each year.
Smart Communities
In April 2010, Toyota City was selected as a “Model Region for Next-Generation Energy Systems” by the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Toyota has since joined the “Toyota City Low-Carbon Society
Verification Council” (established in August 2010), and carried out experiments relating to the “Optimization of
Local Energy Use in Households and Destinations (commercial and public facilities)” and “Establishment of a
System for Low-Carbon Emission Transportation.” In addition, starting in October 2014, Toyota launched an
experimental ultra-compact electric vehicle sharing program in Grenoble, France, together with the city of
Grenoble and local companies, and in Tokyo and Okinawa from April 2015 and January 2016, respectively.
In February 2013, Toyota, together with Toyota affiliated companies, established the “F-Grid Ohira, Miyagi
Limited Liability Partnership,” a smart community business which operates the “F-Grid” in the Northern Sendai
Industrial Park in the village of Ohira, Miyagi. The Partnership began supplying electricity and heat to partners in
the industrial park in April 2013. This business aims to contribute to “creating a safe and secure community with
the community and the industrial park working as one,” “revitalizing local industry” and “revitalizing the
community.” Toyota believes that the elemental technologies developed through these experiments and
businesses will help in the creation of new systems for society that meet differing social environments and
municipal needs, not just in Japan but around the world, in both developed and emerging countries, and will play
a role in the creation of energy and transportation infrastructure to help spread next-generation eco-cars.
Financial Services
Toyota’s financial services include loan programs and leasing programs for customers and dealers. Toyota
believes that its ability to provide financing to its customers is an important value-added service. In July 2000,
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