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.”

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The Rest of the Story

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

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.

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.