Toyota to make all of its roughly 50 models software-defined vehicles by 2030
In short
Toyota Motor said on 16 October that it will turn all of its roughly 50 models sold worldwide into software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by 2030. Asahi Shimbun reported that the plan builds on its in-house software Arene, first used in the RAV4, and on flat-rate fees that bring in revenue after a car is sold.
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Toyota Motor said on 16 October that it will turn all of the roughly 50 models it sells worldwide into software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by 2030, Asahi Shimbun reported. NHK described the policy as putting a software base into every model by 2030 to make them SDVs. [ 1 , 6 ]
Asahi Shimbun described an SDV as a car whose performance and functions, such as driver assistance and entertainment, are improved by software updates over a connection after purchase, like a smartphone. Kyodo, in Tokyo Shimbun, said such updates improve a car's performance and allow continuing charges to users after purchase. Asahi said Toyota will spread cars running its own software and strengthen a business that earns revenue after purchase through flat-rate fees. [ 1 , 3 ]
Toyota launched the RAV4 SUV in 2025, carrying its in-house software Arene, Asahi reported. Kyodo said the new RAV4 launched in December 2025 was the first Toyota model to use Arene, which it called an in-house in-vehicle software platform. Kyodo added that Toyota produces vehicles on the scale of 10 million a year. Asahi said Toyota plans to put the software in all models by 2030 and will consider providing it to other companies. [ 1 , 3 ]
Asahi reported that Toyota plans to raise operating profit from businesses other than new-car sales to 3 trillion yen by fiscal 2030, about 40% more than in fiscal 2025, and that strengthening SDVs is meant to move it away from a business of selling cars once. Asahi said Tesla and Chinese makers lead SDV development and that carmakers are pursuing SDVs because flat-rate fees are expected to lift earnings. [ 1 ]
Kyodo said the plan was stated at an investor briefing held this month. Asahi said Toyota made it clear on the 16th. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Asahi Shimbun reported that the plan is meant to move Toyota away from selling cars once and toward earning continuing revenue through subscriptions. It said other carmakers are also working on SDVs because of the revenue they expect from flat-rate fees.
Key facts
- Toyota plans to turn all of its roughly 50 models sold worldwide into software-defined vehicles by 2030. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Toyota's in-house software Arene is to go into every model by 2030, and Toyota is also considering offering it to other companies. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The RAV4 SUV carrying Arene went on sale in 2025; Tokyo Shimbun, citing Kyodo, put the launch at December 2025. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Toyota aims to raise operating profit from businesses other than new-car sales by about 40% from fiscal 2025 to 3 trillion yen by fiscal 2030. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Kyodo reported that Toyota builds vehicles on the scale of 10 million a year. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When and where Toyota disclosed the plan. Asahi Shimbun said Toyota made the policy clear on the 16th, while Kyodo, in Tokyo Shimbun, said it came to light on the 16th and that it was stated at an investor briefing held this month.
- Whether and to whom Toyota will offer Arene outside the company. Asahi Shimbun said only that Toyota will consider providing it to other companies.