Tag Archives: services

ToyotaUk

Toyota Financial Services Announces Executive Changes

PLANO, Texas (Dec. 13, 2023) – Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is happy to announce the next govt adjustments, efficient January 2, 2024:

Scott Cooke, presently TFS senior vp and chief monetary officer, is promoted to Toyota Financial Services president and CEO.

As chief monetary officer, Cooke has been chargeable for the general monetary administration of Toyota Financial Services, main the features of TFS accounting, TFS finance, TFS and Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) treasury, and TFS competitiveness and mergers & acquisitions. He serves on the board of administrators of Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, the Toyota Financial Services International Corporation administration committee, and acts because the chief monetary officer for the TFS Americas Oceania Region.

“I look forward to continuing the TFS tradition of providing the best possible service to consumers and dealers,” mentioned Cooke. “Toyota Financial Services’ role has always been to deliver top-tier experiences that keep consumers loyal to our brands and their originating dealer in a way that supports manufacturer and dealer profitability. TFS also provides a stable source of funding for customers and dealers during good and challenging economic conditions. We fully intend to continue this strategy by providing innovative solutions that meet rapidly evolving customer preferences and needs.”

Cooke, who joined Toyota in 2003, has held management roles in treasury, enterprise intelligence, analytics, finance, danger, seller credit score, and technique. In addition to his vary of positions at TFS, Cooke served as company supervisor of product planning for Toyota Motor North America.

Cooke earned his Bachelor of Science diploma in Finance and MBA from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“Scott is the ideal leader to succeed me in this role. He brings unparalleled knowledge of the TFS organization based on his decades with the company in positions both here and at Toyota Motor North America,” mentioned Mark Templin, present TFS president and CEO.

Templin continues to information a number of Toyota enterprise operations across the globe. He assumes the title of chairman of the board of Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, and retains the titles of chairman of the board of Toyota Financial Savings Bank, CEO of the TFS Americas Oceania Region, CEO of Toyota Insurance Management Solutions, and director and group chief working officer of Toyota Financial Services Corporation (TFSC) in Japan.

James Schofield, TFS group vp of finance, treasury, competitiveness, mergers and acquisitions, is promoted to TFS group vp and chief monetary officer. Schofield is well known as a considerate and efficient chief who has elevated the TFS finance, treasury, and competitiveness features to new heights. He joined the corporate in 2021, bringing a wealth of information about monetary providers finest practices gleaned from earlier roles at Lloyds Banking Group and JP Morgan Chase. Schofield is a graduate of Oxford University in Oxford, England.

About Toyota Financial Services 

Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the model for finance and associated merchandise for Toyota within the United States, providing retail auto financing and leasing by Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS additionally presents automobile and fee safety merchandise by Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The firm providers Lexus sellers and prospects utilizing the Lexus Financial Services model.

As of March 31, 2023, TFS employed roughly 3,800 workforce members nationwide, and had belongings totaling over $137 billion. It is a part of a worldwide community of complete monetary providers supplied by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

We announce materials monetary info utilizing the investor relations part of our web site (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to speak about our firm, our providers and different points. While not all info we put up on social media is of a fabric nature, some info might be materials. Therefore, we encourage these eager about our firm to overview our messages on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial and posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toyotafinancial/.

Motorsport

Tesla Might Lock Heated Seats Behind A Paywall

Some car manufacturers have suggested offering subscription services for features like heated seats or access to advanced safety features. BMW was one of the first to consider this, but ultimately backed down after facing significant backlash. However, this hasn’t stopped other companies from exploring similar ideas.

Tesla is now reportedly contemplating adding subscription-based features to its future vehicles. A hacker known as GreenTheOnly delved into Tesla’s upcoming 2023.38 vehicle software update and found that heated front seats and heated windshield wipers could be hidden behind a paywall for new models. Additionally, it was discovered that the Tesla Model Y SUV may have a software-locked battery capacity for the Standard Range trim, potentially allowing for more consistent production across different trims.

This would not be the first time Tesla has placed premium features behind a paywall. In the past, the company has charged for footwell lights in the Model 3, additional battery capacity for older Model S and X vehicles, and even heated seats (which have since been removed).

It’s important to note that these findings from GreenTheOnly are not confirmed. As reported by InsideEVs, Tesla may continue to reduce the base price of the Model 3 to maintain price-based tax incentives. Offering some features as add-ons could support this approach.

Efforts have been made to reach out to Elon Musk for comment, and the story will be updated with his response.

Technology

Why You Should Be Cautious About Free VPN Services

There are some important reasons why you should think twice before using a free VPN service. One major concern is the practice of collecting and selling user data. Free VPN services keep a record of your online activities, including the websites you visit, downloads, and other online interactions. This information is then used to create a detailed profile of your online behavior.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. The data collected by these free VPN services often ends up in the hands of marketers and advertisers. This means that those who use free VPNs for online anonymity can unintentionally become targets of invasive advertising and marketing practices. It’s ironic that people turn to VPNs to enhance their privacy, only to have their privacy and security compromised by the very service they thought would protect them.

While security should be a fundamental aspect of any reliable VPN service, many free VPNs fall short in this area. They often take shortcuts and have weak security controls and protocols. This defeats the purpose of using a VPN and puts users at risk of cyber threats, such as hacking and data theft. Unfortunately, users who rely on these services may mistakenly believe that their data is encrypted and secure, unaware that it’s actually vulnerable.

News

BMW will not charge extra to activate existing functions in cars

BMW has announced that it will not be charging customers for activating hardware-based functions in their cars. While the company plans to introduce more paid-for on-demand services and functions in future models, it wants to ensure that customers do not feel they are being made to pay for functions that were previously standard.

Like many other car manufacturers, BMW is leveraging the increasing connectivity of cars to offer over-the-air updates, which allow for the addition of new functions. However, the company faced backlash last year when it offered a monthly subscription to activate heated seats in certain models.

When asked about BMW’s approach to avoid charging extra for functions, Pieter Nota, the firm’s board member for sales and marketing, explained, “We have experience with that, and gauging customer response is part of our process.” He further added, “Our focus is now on ‘functions on demand’ that are software and service-related products, such as driving assistance and parking assistance, which customers can add later or for functions that require data transmission that customers are accustomed to paying for in other areas.”

Nota also emphasized that BMW will no longer offer seat heating as an on-demand function, stating, “It’s either in or out. We offer it from the factory, and you either have it or you don’t have it.” He noted that customer acceptance of paying to activate seat heating later was low and mentioned perception as a contributing factor to the decision to discontinue that offering.

Regarding the services that could potentially be charged for, Nota explained, “Software-based services, like downloading a parking assist product, are well-accepted. People understand that it’s a certain piece of software they can download for a cost, much like downloading a film or an extra feature on an app. We are increasingly successful with this approach.”

BMW

The BMW Group Selects AWS to Power Next-Generation Automated Driving Platform.

The BMW Group has chosen Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider for its automated driving platform. AWS will be used to develop the next-generation advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) for BMW’s next generation of vehicles, set to launch in 2025. The new cloud-based system will utilize BMW’s existing Cloud Data Hub on AWS, as well as AWS compute, generative artificial intelligence (generative AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and storage capabilities. This collaboration aims to accelerate the delivery of highly automated BMW vehicles.

The senior vice president of Driving Experience at BMW Group, Dr. Nicolai Martin, stated that consumer habits and expectations will drive significant changes in the automotive industry in the next decade. The collaboration with AWS allows BMW to build its new automated driving platform on a scalable, secure, and reliable infrastructure, helping to empower the next generation of automated driving and parking functions.

ADAS currently supports drivers with early warning systems and capabilities that enhance safety and comfort. By developing the next generation ADAS platform on AWS, BMW’s engineers can quickly respond to customer demands and deliver new features to improve the driving experience. This efficiency, supported by the cloud, will enable BMW to innovate features for its future vehicles and keep drivers focused on the road.

In addition to working with AWS, BMW Group has also partnered with Qualcomm Technologies to co-develop next-generation automated driving systems based on the Snapdragon Ride Platform. Through this collaboration, BMW engineers gain access to leading hardware, vision software, and cloud capabilities, facilitating end-to-end automated driving development. Placing BMW’s automated driving platform in the cloud breaks down development silos and fosters global collaboration with suppliers, further accelerating innovation in automated driving.

AWS will also support the scalability of BMW Group’s infrastructure to handle the increasing data creation and usage within automated driving feature development. As automakers deploy higher-level automated driving functions, more data is generated for engineering teams to analyze and utilize in future feature development. The cloud-based infrastructure provided by AWS will serve as the foundation for developing and delivering new functions, such as lane departure assist or hands-free driving, at a faster pace.

The BMW Group will leverage AWS services to power its new scalable automated driving platform. This platform will accelerate the development life cycle and expand across BMW models. AWS’s services, such as Amazon S3 and Amazon SageMaker, will be used for data processing, cataloging, storage, and machine learning model development and training. Large-scale simulations can also be conducted on AWS compute instances for verification purposes. This approach allows BMW Group to test and validate software versions more efficiently, ensuring the system’s safety and reducing time to market.

According to Wendy Bauer, general manager of Automotive and Manufacturing at AWS, automating driving systems aim to provide driver assistance technology that not only enhances convenience but also helps prevent injuries and saves lives. The BMW Group, with the support of AWS and Qualcomm Technologies, has the tools required to turn its vision of delivering safe, premium quality, high-performance, and highly automated driving functions into reality.

Mazda

Mazda Financial Services Provides Assistance to Customers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

Mazda Financial Services (MFS) has announced that it is offering payment relief options to its customers affected by Hurricane Idalia. This assistance is available to all MFS customers in the designated disaster areas.

Mazda Financial Services is deeply concerned about the well-being of its customers and is committed to assisting those who have been affected by this natural disaster. Lease and finance customers who reside in the affected regions may be eligible for various payment relief options. Some of these options include deferring payments, redirecting billing statements, and facilitating phone or online payments.

Customers who wish to explore their account options are encouraged to contact MFS directly at 866-693-2332.

MFS would like to express its sympathies to all those impacted by this devastating storm.

About Mazda Financial Services

Mazda Financial Services (MFS) offers a range of automotive finance, lease, and wholesale dealer financing products and services to Mazda dealers and customers across the United States. Additionally, MFS provides vehicle protection products through Mazda Protection Products (MPP). For more information, please visit: www.mazdafinancialservices.com

ToyotaUk

Toyota Financial Services provides payment relief to customers affected by Hawaii wildfires

About Toyota Financial Services
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is responsible for financing and related products for Toyota in the United States. It offers retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also provides vehicle and payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). Additionally, the company serves Lexus dealers and customers through Lexus Financial Services.

As of March 31, 2023, TFS has approximately 3,800 team members across the nation and holds assets worth over $137 billion. It is part of Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, which offers a comprehensive range of financial services worldwide.

We utilize our website’s investor relations section (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings to disclose significant financial information. Our channels of communication include press releases, social media, and other platforms to share updates about our company, services, and relevant matters. While not all social media posts from us contain material information, some of them may be material. Therefore, we encourage individuals interested in our company to check our Twitter messages at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial and Facebook posts at www.facebook.com/toyotafinancial/.

Mazda

Mazda Financial Services Provides Payment Relief for Customers Affected by Hawaii Wildfires

PLANO, Texas, August 14, 2023 – Mazda Financial Services (MFS) has announced that it is offering payment relief options to its customers who have been impacted by the recent wildfires in Hawaii. This assistance is available to all MFS customers residing in the designated disaster areas.

Mazda Financial Services is deeply concerned about the well-being and safety of its customers, and it aims to support those who are suffering from this natural disaster. Lease and finance customers who live in the affected areas may be eligible for various payment relief options, such as:

  • Extensions and deferred payments for leases
  • Receiving billing statements through alternative channels
  • Arranging phone or online payments

Customers who would like to explore their account options are encouraged to contact MFS directly at 866-693-2332.

Our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating wildfires.

About Mazda Financial Services
Mazda Financial Services (MFS) provides automotive finance, lease, and wholesale dealer financing products and services to Mazda dealers and customers in the United States. Additionally, MFS offers vehicle protection products through Mazda Protection Products (MPP). For more information, please visit: www.mazdafinancialservices.com

Technology

Why Your Android Says Attachment Limit Reached (And How To Fix It)

If you’re encountering a file size restriction on your Android device, there’s a simple workaround: enable Rich Communication Services (RCS). This messaging feature for Android is akin to the iMessage app on iPhones. Instead of using SMS/MMS, RCS uses Wi-Fi to bypass the mobile provider. However, RCS may not be available on older Android phones or with carriers that do not support it. Currently, only a few texting apps support RCS.

To enable RCS in Google Messages, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Google Messages app or download it from the Google Play Store if you don’t have it.
  2. Tap the user icon in the top right corner.
  3. Select Messages Settings from the drop-down menu.
  4. Tap the RCS Chats option (listed as Chat Features on some phones).
  5. Toggle on the RCS Chats setting.

If you have a Galaxy smartphone, you can use RCS messaging in Samsung Messages, but the process is a bit more complicated. First, ensure that your carrier supports the advanced messaging feature (RCS) in the Samsung app. To check if it’s enabled:

  1. Open the Samsung Messages app.
  2. Tap the three vertical dots.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Look for Chat Settings — if it’s grayed out, it means your carrier doesn’t support RCS in the Samsung app. If it’s not grayed out, RCS is available in Samsung Messages.

By activating RCS, you’ll be able to send files with a file size of up to 100 MB. However, for RCS to work properly, both you and the recipient need to have the feature enabled. Additionally, you might need to disable your phone’s built-in power-saving feature for RCS to function smoothly.

Motorsport

Consumers Willing To Adopt Some In-Car Subscriptions According To Survey

A recent study by S&P Global Mobility reveals that consumers are willing to pay for connected-car services, but only for ones that offer clear value or are available with a free trial. However, they are less interested in features they won’t use or already have on their smartphones.

Automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have faced criticism for introducing subscription-based products and services in their vehicles. However, according to the S&P Global Mobility survey, consumers are generally open to subscriptions when they provide exposure to new features and technologies. When given the option of a free trial or existing subscriptions on newer vehicles, 82 percent of respondents said they would consider purchasing subscription-based services for future new-vehicle purchases.


The survey also emphasized the importance of offering value-added services through subscriptions. Paid functional upgrades, particularly enhanced navigation and advanced driver-assist system (ADA) functionality, are highly desirable. Safety features like high-beam assist and driving video recorder received the highest satisfaction ratings among connected services. However, features like heated seats or remote start garnered less interest because consumers are used to paying for these items as part of an options package.

GM’s decision to eliminate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of their native infotainment system is aimed at leveraging this trend by increasing subscription retention and providing access to more consumer usage data. The S&P Global Mobility survey highlighted that while consumers have concerns about data privacy, 74 percent of respondents said they are willing to share data for free services and consider automakers more trustworthy than technology companies like Google or Meta.

What was not evident in the survey was whether most consumers were willing to pay a monthly subscription for added performance. Mercedes-Benz is offering Acceleration Increase, a performance subscription that increases a car’s output by 20 to 24 percent on its electric vehicles. However, BMW has no plans to offer over-the-air performance upgrades for its future electric vehicles. This decision is not due to any technical issues, but rather because BMW believes the income generated by the subscription fees would not be profitable enough to cover the necessary technical requirements and regulations.