Connected Vehicles and Technology Policy

Why should I care?

Technology enables Toyota to make smarter, safer, and cleaner vehicles.

Public policy has the power to disrupt our business – from how we use data to the types of services and products we can offer.

What should I know?

Lawmakers at the state and federal level are increasingly using public policy to protect consumers’ safety, privacy, and security, and to prevent harmful outcomes from the use of technology like artificial intelligence and algorithms.

We advocate for public policy that allows Toyota to research, develop, manufacture, and sell our products and services that rely on advanced technologies. We also work to combat efforts that would limit future products or business models.

Toyota works to educate lawmakers and other stakeholders about our commitment to using technology responsibly to provide mobility for all. We also combat misguided policies that would jeopardize consumers’ privacy and security or Toyota’s ability to fairly compete in the marketplace.

What Should I Say?

Toyota’s respect for people extends to how we utilize technology.
Toyota is committed to protecting our customers’ privacy, and giving consumers control over data and how it is used. We follow the Automotive Consumer Privacy Protection Principles.
Toyota is a leader in automotive cybersecurity. We know that customers’ trust includes trusting that their data and our vehicles are secure.
Technology policy done right promotes competition, protects consumers, and allows for new advances so Toyota can deliver on our promise for “mobility for all.”

Want to learn more? Contact:

The Rest of the Story

There are a variety of technology policy issues that impact our business. Here is background on a few:

Artificial Intelligence: AI is playing an increasing role at Toyota. Examples range from improving manufacturing quality to enhancing vehicle safety to creating great customer experiences. Toyota advocates for policies that allow Toyota and other automakers to continue innovating and to avoid conflicting local, state and federal laws.

Automated Vehicles: Toyota advocates for uniformity in policies across the country for automated vehicles and features.

Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is top of mind for both Toyota and policymakers — whether it’s securing the vehicle, protecting customers’ information, or safeguarding Toyota’s IP.

Cooperation between the private and public sector is key to combating cyber risks. A few examples of how Toyota works as a partner in cybersecurity include:

Leading the auto industry’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center (the Auto-ISAC) where companies in our industry share cyber intelligence and threats
Participating in government forums to discuss and address challenges, and
Helping develop international standards and best practices

Privacy: Toyota strongly believes in consumers having control over their data. We abide by the Automotive Consumer Privacy Protection Principles and advocate for federal privacy legislation so that all U.S. consumers have the same privacy protections regardless of where they live.

Intellectual Property

Right to Repair: As autos moved towards software-first development and advances like Over-the-Air updates bring about the ability to update vehicles remotely, we increasingly see third parties erroneously claim that a consumer’s right to repair is under attack in the auto industry. On the contrary, right to repair is alive and well.

In 2014, auto manufacturers, including Toyota, committed in a Memorandum of Understanding with the repair community to providing independent repairers the data needed to diagnosis and repair our customers’ vehicles.

PREVAIL Act: The PREVAIL Act would make it more difficult to challenge Toyota’s patents by raising the legal standard for review and limiting repeat challenges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This legislation could strengthen protection of our innovations by preventing duplicative or weak attempts to invalidate patents. For Toyota, it means greater security for our R&D investments and a stronger intellectual property portfolio, reducing the risk of costly and repeated litigation.
PERA (Patent Eligibility Restoration Act): The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) would reset the rules on what qualifies for patent protection by eliminating court-created exceptions and replacing them with clear, statutory guidelines. This change aims to bring more predictability to patent eligibility, particularly for emerging technologies. For Toyota, this could mean expanded protection for innovations in software, connected vehicle systems, and other advanced technologies that may have previously faced eligibility challenges.
RESTORE Act: The RESTORE Act would make it easier for Toyota to secure a permanent injunction when a court determines that someone is infringing on our patents. By creating a legal presumption in favor of granting injunctions, the bill gives patent holders greater leverage to stop the unauthorized use of their technology. For Toyota, this enhances our ability to enforce patent rights and serves as a stronger deterrent against intellectual property theft, particularly from global competitors.