TMC to Launch Condominium-based Next-generation Vehicle Car-sharing Program

Toyota City, Japan - Starting in spring 2012, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), in collaboration with Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., Daikyo Incorporated and Toyota Housing Corporation, plans to launch a condominium-based car-sharing program using next-generation, environment-friendly vehicles.

Two condominiums in Tokyo*1 and one condominium in Aichi*2 Prefecture will each receive two of a total of six “Prius Plug-in Hybrid” and “iQ”-based electric vehicle units managed by nearby Toyota vehicle rental and lease companies. TMC, in collaboration with condominium developers and IHI Transport Machinery Co. Ltd., a parking facility manufacturer, will design parking facilities and charging equipment. Further details of the program, such as car-sharing costs to users, have yet to be decided.

Car sharing has become more popular among people in urban areas who do not own cars, and it is also gaining public attention as a countermeasure against global warming and oil dependency. In response to these trends, TMC, aiming to connect people with a new way of using future vehicles, decided to carry out this car-sharing program using next-generation plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid can be charged from any household electricity source and has an electric-only driving range of 23.4 km*3 on a full charge. Once the external charge is depleted, the vehicle operates as a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid, alleviating worry about remaining battery power and charging infrastructure availability. TMC plans to launch the Prius Plug-in Hybrid by early 2012.

The “iQ”-based EV—currently under development for a 2012 launch—has a range of 105 km*4, positioning it as an ideal short-distance vehicle. TMC views car-sharing programs as appropriate for short-distance needs and will investigate further methods to promote EV-use based on the results of this program.


*1Proud Komaba (Meguro Ward, Tokyo; 223 units; sellers: Nomura Real Estate and Toyota Home); Proud Suginami Wada (Suginami Ward, Tokyo; 133 units; seller: Nomura Real Estate)
*2Villas Hoshigaoka no Mori (Meito Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; 278 units; sellers: Daikyo, Chuden Real Estate, Haseko Corporation and Toyota Home)
*3JC08 test cycle, measurement by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
*4JC08 test cycle, TMC internal measurement