Khaberni - Toyota is heading towards changing its production strategy once again, with the adoption of a development cycle that extends to about 9 or 10 years for its main vehicles, instead of the four or five years as was customary in past decades, or seven years as adopted in the new millennium.
This change reflects the company's direction towards minimizing major modifications to the chassis and platform, in favor of enhancing the role of software updates that will improve the experience and technologies throughout the life of the vehicle.
This step comes at a time when Toyota faces high demand for models such as the Land Cruiser, making the need for frequent redesign less significant. Moreover, lengthening the product cycle may contribute to the stabilization of supplies and give customers a greater chance to obtain the desired versions, in addition to supporting resale value thanks to the slow pace of wear and tear.
The expected software updates may include performance enhancements, new features in driver-assistance systems, and perhaps features based on subscriptions. Toyota is relying on this approach to enhance the flexibility of its plans towards electrification, without burdening the production lines with frequent radical changes.
However, this shift is not without objections. According to reports, the company plans to review its wholesale pricing method, which gradually decreased over time, and replace it with a more flexible policy dependent on market conditions. Some independent dealers in Japan have expressed concerns about the impact this will have on profit margins, while Toyota confirms that average prices will remain stable over the nine years.
In the end, Toyota believes that good cars can maintain their competitiveness for longer periods, especially in an era where software plays a leading role.
