Toyota introduced a new safety and driver assist program for selected models. Starting this summer the program will cover special Toyota and Lexus models. The company unveiled its new systems at CES 2009 in Las Vegas. The company is developing its own technology to be implemented in the US by utilizing its rich experience earned in Japan. This service will come out as a major competition to the GM’s OnStar Service.
Here is what OnStar President Chet Huber said of Toyota’s announcement “It’s not a surprise, frankly, if there was a surprise it’s: What’s taken so long for those folks to get their technology to get to the point where they can launch some base services?”
The Lexus versions coverd in the proram will also offer certain driver convenience features. The driver will get directions to nearby locations through the system and he may use the voice command program to control anything from the Sattelite radio to the car’s climate control.
“We think this is a vital link to our customers,” Jon Bucci, Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales said. “It’s part of nurturing the relationship with our customers and finding where the value of the brand can be increased and grown in different ways.”
The service features GPS tracking in case of theft, notification to response centers at citing an accident and a Bluetooth enabled Emergency “SOS” call button. The special eDestination function for Lexus models enables drivers to store 200 personalized destinations on the company’s website for future use.
The price for both Toyota and Lexus packages will be out before their anticipated launch in August.
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