Toyota's New Company Kinto Gives Bonuses the Safer You Drive

Toyota has recently launched Kinto Co., Ltd (Kinto), a subscription-based services company that gives a whole new definition of "user-car relationship."

This new form of "exchange" between man and machine allows them to have a "fun and easy relationship." Two services will be offered in Japan: "Kinto One" gives customers a choice to drive one Toyota-brand vehicle for a three-year period, while "Kinto Select" gives customers the option of driving six Lexus models for three years.

"As society shifts from conventional car ownership to car usage that can be enjoyed wherever and as much as users would like, there is a growing need for a service that allows customers to freely select the car that they like or want to drive and enjoy it as they like, instead of using a car simply as a means of transportation," Toyota said in its announcement.

Kinto is a joint collaboration between Toyota Financial Services, Co., Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota) and Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service Company, Limited (a member of the Sumitomo Corporation Group). Its initial funding is JPY1.8 billion yen, or about USD16 million, according to Toyota.

"Reward Points" based on safe driving

According to Techrunch.com, the company will give reward points based on how customers drive their cars. Toyota didn't add any details on how the technology and the service works, although there are speculations that connected-car technology will be used  to monitor driving. These bonus points will be added toward the payments.

The service is currently available only in Japan. Kinto One will be offered to select Toyota and Lexus dealers in Tokyo on March 1, while Kinto Select will be available starting today, February 6.