Japan-based automobile giant Toyota has made a decision that the drivers will not like. Toyota, which allows the vehicle to be unlocked remotely with the key thanks to its remote start function, said that it will now subject this feature to a subscription for a certain fee.
According to information shared by The Drive, remote starting of vehicles will require a Remote Connect subscription. After a Reddit user noticed in the Remote Connect guide on Toyota’s web page and brought the issue to the agenda, the post-event statement was not delayed. The company has confirmed the subscription requirement.
Covers 2018 and later Toyota vehicles
The new decision will apply to Toyota vehicles produced in 2018 and beyond. The company will also give drivers the opportunity to try their Remote Connect subscription for free. However, the duration of this trial varies according to the sound package of the vehicle.
For example, vehicles equipped with Audio Plus have a trial period of up to 3 years, while vehicles equipped with Premium Audio will increase this period up to 10 years. Drivers who complete the trial will be required to pay a fee to continue using the key fob remote start feature. For Remote Connect, you have to sacrifice 8 dollars per month and 80 dollars per year.
People who buy a new Toyota vehicle may not be aware that the remote start function is subscription dependent. This is due to the fact that the company does not provide exact information to drivers. For example, in promotional videos shared on social media, it is stated that the remote start feature can be used in cars that support it as long as there is “Audio Plus”.
If you have a vehicle that supports it, you can use the remote start function by pressing the corresponding button on your key. Thus, in cold weather, you can warm the inside of the car before getting in. Regarding the inclusion of this feature, which has many more use cases, in the Remote Connect plan, a Toyota spokesperson told The Drive, “A paid subscription is required for the key fob’s remote start function to work on each model.”
What do you think about this decision of Toyota? Do not forget to write your thoughts in the comment area below.
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