Toyota Plans to Deploy Automatic Engine Shut Off and Automatic Park Features to Vehicle Line Up

TORONTO, ON – June 20, 2019 – Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) has announced two feature updates to its vehicle line up – Automatic Engine Shut Off and Automatic Park. Each feature represents Toyota’s relentless commitment to continuous improvement.

• Automatic Engine Shut Off

Starting with most Model Year 2020 vehicles, Toyota will provide additional features such as automatic engine shut off or “Auto Shut Off” with an enhanced audible and visual warning to its Smart Key System* (SKS).  The Auto Shut Off feature will automatically shut off the engine after a pre-determined period of time in the event the vehicle is left running. Future enhancements will include smartphone App capabilities as an added reminder.  Currently, Toyota vehicles issue a two-step alert to notify the driver that the engine is running and requests engine to be turned off. Toyota has included this feature since its 2003 SKS introduction.

* Toyota’s current Smart Key System meets or exceeds all relevant federal safety standards while providing added convenience, improved theft prevention and personal security benefits.

• Automatic Park

Also, starting from Model Year 2020, Toyota will begin to phase in Automatic Park, which is designed to help reduce the risk of roll-away.  The feature will be available in vehicles with electronic means of shifting and/or applying the parking brake, and is designed to automatically shift the vehicle into the “park” position and/or apply the electronic parking brake, in the event the driver exits the vehicle without placing the vehicle in “park.” **

**Currently, Toyota vehicles include audible and visual warnings.  Also, Toyota’s non-traditional shifters have a separate P button to reduce confusion.

Toyota has long been a leader in technological innovation. For example, the company first introduced Toyota Safety Sense and Lexus Safety System+ packages with automatic emergency braking – standard, based on the belief that making these innovative technologies standard is not only beneficial on the road but helps improve customer satisfaction. Toyota continues to pave the way with its relentless focus on enhancing our customers’ experience.

About Toyota Canada Inc.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over eight million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability to the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax, and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than eight million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid. Recent investments at its facilities in Ontario will allow for increased production of the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models.

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