There's Twitter. There's Facebook....LinkedIn... Athlinks…. Buzznet...And now, with the help of Microsoft, Toyota is setting up their own social networking site. Drivers can interact with their car as they would on... say... Facebook or Twitter. Also helping launch the new social networking site coined "Toyota Friend" is San Francisco-based Salesforce.com.
"Toyota Friend" was recently demonstrated in a Tokyo showroom. An owner of a plug-in Prius received a message from his hybrid, named "Pre-boy", advising him to charge his car overnight. After plugging in, the "Pre-boy" responded, "The charge will be complete by 2:15 a.m. Is that OK? See you tomorrow."1
Another example in which "Toyota Friend" proves valuable is when your car is up for inspection, it will notify you and automatically link to a dealer to set up an appointment. The timing for this and other "Toyota Friend" communications will be managed by various in-car sensors.
Users will reportedly also be able to post exchanges on Facebook, Twitter, and other similar social networking sites. Toyota owners who decide to use "Toyota Friend" can decide to keep exchanges private or share them with other "Toyota Friend" users.
As of now, it looks like it will hit Japan first in 2012 and later worldwide. Initially, it will be an option only with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Interested in more Toyota news? Stay tuned. DCH Toyota of Torrance - 2955 Pacific Coast Highway - Torrance, CA 90505 is dedicated to keeping you informed.
Source: 1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/23/toyota-friend-social-network_n_865437.html
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