Japanese automaker Toyota has expanded its factory modernization program, Factory Upgrade, which now covers vehicles up to 20 years old. This allows owners of older cars to install modern equipment without buying a new vehicle, according to infohub.kz.
The program applies to a range of Toyota and Lexus models, including the fifth-generation Toyota Hiace from 2004 and the first-generation Lexus NX from the 2014 model year. Owners of a 2015 Toyota Prius or a 2017 Camry can install a modern multimedia system similar to those used in new models.
The service first appeared in 2023 under the name Kinto Factory, and has now been renamed Factory Upgrade, with a broader list of models and upgrade options. In addition to multimedia, factory packages that enhance vehicle performance are available for some GR models and the Lexus IS sedan.
For now, the program is only available in Japan. Toyota has not announced plans to expand it to other markets.
The company's decision seems unusual. Toyota has effectively acknowledged that some customers want to keep their beloved cars while still using modern technology. The project could well serve as an example for other automakers that want to extend the life of their models, rather than just boosting sales of new vehicles, whose prices continue to rise.