Old Toyotas can now get newer tech thanks to Kinto Factory

Year by year, car manufacturers often update their models. More often than not, these can range from facelifts to adding new on-board tech. Of course, these can result in vast differences between the same model cars from different years. 

One of the car's that the Kinto Factory can accommodate is the Lexus NX

Toyota, however, is indeed aware that a good portion of its customer base wants to stick with the cars they bought for longer periods. But at the same time, some might want newer tech on their cars. To meet this need, the Japanese marque has launched the Kinto Factory, a service which allows Toyota users to upgrade their older cars with the latest tech. 

Specifically, Kinto Factory can retrofit blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert systems on units that didn’t originally have them, as well as providing kick-activation sensors for cars with power tailgates. The said service can even provide interior and exterior restoration. 

The Kinto Factory is also a huge step for Toyota in becoming a more sustainable brand. This is because manufacturing new cars does cause emissions, and so it can be argued that using an old car rather than buying a new one is environmentally friendlier. Also, the Kinto Factory itself will soon have its own recycling service for those who need to scrap an old vehicle. 

While all of those sound great for Toyota users, the Kinto Factory is currently only available in selected dealerships in Japan. Moreover, it will have a limited number of models that it can currently cater to, considering that the service is still in its infancy. 

The Japan-spec Toyota Aqua, aka the Prius C, is included in the Kinto Factory list of applicable models

Among those eligible for upgrades are the Japanese market versions of the Alphard minivan and the Prius hybrid. It can also handle upgrades for other domestic models like the Aqua and the Vellfire. There are also Kinto Factory upgrades available to two Lexus models: the UX and the NX.  

Of note, Toyota is one of the most recognizable car brands (and arguably the largest) in the local market. To put that into perspective, its Philippine subsidiary expects to hit 129,000 in unit sales for 2021. 

Since many Filipinos cherish their Toyotas, it’s going to be no small thing if Toyota Philippines decides to bring in a localized version of the Kinto Factory service here. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. 

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