Toyota Australia enters car subscription arena

In addition to selling new vehicles – something it does more of than another other automotive brand Down Under – Toyota Australia is now offering vehicles on a subscription basis.

Australians who need to hire a vehicle for anything between an hour and a year can now do so via Toyota Australia’s new Kinto Rent service.

Toyota says its new subscription service, which is accessed entirely through the Kinto smartphone app and attracts no membership fee, is the latest development in its transition to becoming a mobility company.

“Kinto is the next best thing to owning your own car because it is simple and affordable to book and drive the latest Toyota vehicles, including our popular hybrid models,” said Toyota Australia vice-president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

“Kinto is part of our strategy to transition from a car company to a mobility company by providing new transport-related services to people across Australia.

“This innovative brand will allow us to respond to emerging customer needs and mobility requirements that go beyond our traditional business model.

“Kinto will offer services that will support Toyota’s aim to be the mobility provider of choice for all types of customers.”

Toyota’s new vehicle subscription service is a Toyota Finance Australia program that allows members to access vehicles from specified off-street locations and participating Toyota dealers.

Kinto Rent joins Kinto Share – a car-sharing program like GoGet – which was introduced earlier this year and offers on-street sites with around-the clock vehicle access.

Toyota says its Kinto services (which take their name from ‘kintoun’, a Japanese word meaning ‘flying nimbus’ – a magical cloud that appears quickly when necessary to provide transport) will become Australia’s most innovative solution to accessing Toyota vehicles nationwide.

Kinto operates entirely from a smartphone app, including sign-up, booking, payment and even locking and unlocking of vehicles.

Rates start at $9.10 per hour plus 30 cents per kilometre, while full-day rates begin at $63 plus 27c/km and weekly rates are available from $294 plus 18c/km.

This includes fuel, maintenance, comprehensive insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance for a range of Toyota sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, utes and vans.

Users must simply download the Kinto app from the Apple AppStore or Google Play then sign up, enter their credit card details and apply for membership.

However, Toyota vehicles booked through Kinto will initially be available only in the Melbourne CBD and nearby Carlton, as well as Toyota dealerships in two regional Victorian towns: Kilmore and Seymour.

Vehicles must be returned to the same place, except “on occasion” by arrangement at least two days prior. For extra cost, the Kinto Concierge service will deliver the vehicle to you and collect it on completion.

Prices listed above are for the Toyota Prius c hybrid hatch. Larger vehicles like Toyota’s most popular passenger car, the Corolla, cost $10.40 per hour plus 30c/km, $72 for 24 hours plus 27c/km or $336 per week plus 18c/km.

At the top of the range, a dual-cab Toyota HiLux 4x2 (4x4 models cost more again) will cost you $17.55 per hour plus 40c/km, $121.50 for 24 hours plus 36c/km or $567 per week plus 24c/km.

There are several other caveats. Drivers must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid full or provisional Australian or international driver’s licence, provide proof of a current residential address and meet other licence and insurance requirements.

Vehicles must be returned “neat and tidy” and with at least a quarter tank of fuel, and drivers are required to pay any tolls, traffic infringements and the insurance excess in the event of damage.

For cars and SUVs, the excess is $2200 if the driver is 25 or older, $3300 if aged 21-24 or $4400 if aged under 21. For light commercial vehicles, the excess is $3300, $4400 and $5500 respectively.

As with most hire car companies, Kinto drivers can reduce their excess for an extra fee, for $2.50 per hour, $25 per day, $12 per day over seven days or $5 per day over 30 days.

For cars and SUVs, this will reduce the excess to $550 (25 years or older), $1650 (21-24 years) or $2750 (under 21), and for LCVs to $1650, $2750 and $3850 respectively.

Other charges include an administration fee ($25) and, if required, claim management ($240), car relocation ($95), cleaning fee ($95), car returned to incorrect location ($25), late return ($25), late payment ($25), less than a quarter tank of fuel ($25), fuel card replacement ($25), cancellation within two hours of the booking ($10) and the cost of any video tolls plus 55 cents per toll.