Vancouver Sun

Toyota embraces rapid change

- Larry Hutchinson is President and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc.

As an example, our experience with launching hybrid vehicles is helping us prepare for the introducti­on of the Toyota Mirai fuelcell electric vehicle to Canadians. Already, we’re working with other stakeholde­rs to develop the infrastruc­ture required to support the widespread adoption of hydrogenpo­wered vehicles.

Through CSRC, Toyota’s Collaborat­ive Safety Research Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Toyota also partners with universiti­es, hospitals, research institutio­ns and government agencies to support R&D behind the safety technologi­es that aim to keep drivers safer on our roads. CSRC explores everything from understand­ing how people drive and how to improve current safety systems, to the opportunit­ies and challenges posed by emerging technologi­es.

The rapid pace with which the industry is introducin­g new technologi­es to the market means we also need to change the way we support our Canadian drivers. For Toyota, it doesn’t mean just staying in front of the wave by providing the best technologi­es to our customers, but by also ensuring they have the right tools to understand how they work.

We continue developing educationa­l tools and are working with our Toyota dealers across the country to help drivers understand the new technologi­es in our vehicles, including autonomous vehicle technology and in-vehicle connectivi­ty services. Recently, for example, we launched a new initiative we’re calling Toyota Technology Expert. Every Toyota dealership will have a dedicated Toyota Technology Expert who will serve as a key resource for our customers.

As technology evolves, and developmen­t continues faster than ever before, Toyota is committed to anticipati­ng, engineerin­g and setting the pace for the mobility technology of the future.

We’re working with other shareholde­rs to develop the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

 ??  ?? The hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle will soon be available in Canada.
The hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle will soon be available in Canada.

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