Toyota unveils latest RAV4, 1st to incorporate new software system
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday unveiled the latest RAV4 to be rolled out in Japan, North America and Europe in the current fiscal year through March, with the revamped model of the compact sport utility vehicle to be the first to incorporate its new software system.
"RAV4 marks the start of our journey in building software-defined vehicles," Simon Humphries, chief branding officer of the Japanese automaker, said in the world premiere for the all-new SUV featuring the Arene software development platform, to be available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Like smartphones, software-defined vehicles can receive updates that add new features or enhance existing ones, allowing customers to upgrade their cars without buying a new vehicle.
The announcement on the sixth-generation RAV4 -- one of Toyota's most popular models worldwide -- comes as overseas automakers like U.S.-based Tesla Inc. and Chinese EV makers gain momentum with software-centric vehicles.
In the new RAV4, the Arene system was used to develop software powering the new multimedia system's cockpit voice agent and center display, as well as advanced safety technologies, Toyota said.
The RAV4 has helped drive the SUV trend and is especially favored in the United States. Toyota sold around 1.04 million units in 2024 globally, making up around 10 percent of the automaker's total sales.
According to Toyota, the RAV4 is now sold in 180 countries and regions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
25 minutes ago
Ishiba Vows to Set Up Council for Regional Revitalization
Maebashi, Gunma Pref., June 7 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday that he plans to establish a council tasked with helping promote regional revitalization led by the private sector. He hopes to include the plan, unveiled in talks with reporters during his visit to Maebashi, the capital of Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, in a basic concept of his signature "Regional Revitalization 2.0" program. The envisaged council will be directly supervised by Ishiba, according to the prime minister. The basic concept is expected to be compiled this summer. "We'll consider the possibility of revising related laws while learning from the efforts being made in Maebashi" in order to help accelerate community building through public-private cooperation, Ishiba said. In Maebashi, Ishiba visited Jins Park, a regional interaction hub, which also includes an eyeglasses store. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Nikkei Asia
China says it may speed up rare earths application approvals from EU
SHANGHAI (Reuters) -- China is willing to accelerate the examination and approval of rare earth exports to European Union companies and will also deliver a verdict on its trade investigation of EU brandy imports by July 5, its commerce ministry said on Saturday. Price commitment consultations between China and the EU on Chinese-made electric vehicles exported to the EU have also entered a final stage, but efforts from both sides are still needed, according to a statement on the Chinese commerce ministry's website.
The Mainichi
2 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Editorial: Japan needs bold new policies as births fell below 700,000 for 1st time in 2024
Japan's population decline is accelerating much faster than predicted by the government. The nation cannot afford to ignore this inconvenient truth. The number of births among Japanese citizens in 2024 stood at 686,061, falling below 700,000 for the first time since record-keeping began. The figure had dropped below 800,000 just two years earlier. The total fertility rate, defined as the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, also hit a record low of 1.15. Japan has spent the past 30 years implementing policy measures to tackle the falling birth rate. Yet, far from stopping, the decline continues to accelerate -- progressing about 15 years ahead of what the government previously considered a realistic scenario. At this rate, the country faces a shrinking workforce and consumer base, threatening to sap the vitality of society. The number of marriages has also dropped sharply, falling 40% from approximately 800,000 in 2001. Anxiety among young people about their futures is cited as one contributing factor. While overall employment conditions are improving, there remain significant wage disparities depending on company size and employment status. Additionally, rising housing costs in urban areas are straining household budgets. Improvements in wages and working conditions are urgently needed. The current situation in which domestic chores and child care responsibilities fall disproportionately on women must also change. Many women view marriage and childbirth as obstacles to building their careers. The administration of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida introduced what it called "unprecedented measures to reverse the declining birth rate," including expansions in child allowances and childcare leave benefits. While up to 3.6 trillion yen (about $24.8 billion) has been allocated, these policy initiatives largely remain extensions of previous ones, making their potential effectiveness uncertain. More fundamentally, the government must carefully reevaluate whether these moves meet the actual needs of the younger generation. Public perceptions regarding family and work have significantly evolved. Some young people feel a fundamental disconnect with Japan's marriage system, which effectively requires women to change their surnames, and with employment practices that assume long hours and frequent job relocations. Policymakers must begin by identifying these structural issues. If the current pace of population decline persists, the number of working-age people in Japan will drastically decrease, threatening the sustainability of public pensions. This could lead even more individuals to hesitate over life decisions such as marriage and having children, creating another vicious cycle. Policies based on outdated assumptions will undoubtedly fail to resolve these challenges. The government must adopt a sense of crisis and urgently take up bold new ideas and approaches.
