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TOYOTA is preparing for the ramping up of ride-sharing services in Australia, but the company’s sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley believes the potentially disruptive model of vehicle ownership will not dominate the market.

“Ride sharing will play a part in the Australian market – I don’t think it will take over the Australian market. I think some people are overplaying ride share a little bit – but there will be a market for ride share in Australia,” he said.

“We are always investigating and looking at different options and opportunities within our own organisation, with our dealers, even with some partner companies.

“At this stage we have no announcements to make for the Australian market.

“However, having said that, we believe it will exist. We don’t believe it will take over the whole market though.”

As GoAutoNews Premium has reported, Toyota’s innovative new Hui ride-sharing service, recently launched in Hawaii, is expected to be rolled out in Australia – potentially through its dealer network.

The Japanese auto giant also announced in June that it was pouring $US1 billion ($A1.4b) into Singapore-based ride-hailing firm Grab Holdings – believed to be the biggest investment by an automotive manufacturer in this sector – “to drive the adoption of new mobility solutions across South-East Asia”.

By Terry Martin

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