Toyota launches London startup and starts the hunt for tech talent

Toyota is launching a new startup in London to develop new transport services it can roll out in Europe, and is on the hunt for a crop of data scientists, engineers and software developers to bring on board.

It is aiming to build up expertise in ride-sharing and remote delivery, and start bringing specialised mobility services to market.

The Japanese car giant has launched Toyota Connected Europe (TCEU) with an initial investment of £4.5m, and the new venture is expected to employ between 35 and 50 people.

It said the capital was its chosen location thanks to London’s big pool of tech talent.

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The startup will be headed up by Toyota Connected North America’s chief executive Zack Hicks as chairman, with Toyota Motor Europe’s vice president Agustin Martin serving as chief executive.

“Toyota Connected Europe is the next step in Toyota’s continued growth as a global mobility company,” said Martin.

The adoption of new approaches to mobility is moving very fast in Europe, and we’re excited to develop and scale the power of Toyota’s mobility services technologies for customers across the region.

The London office marks Toyota’s seventh global office within its Toyota Connected branch.

TCEU will partner with Toyota Motor Europe, Toyota retailers and distributors in the region to support the launch of “new shared mobility and fleet management solutions” for consumers, businesses, governments and other stakeholders.

Toyota’s connected arm has already secured partnerships with Servco Pacific and car rental group Avis Budget Group in the US, while it has partnered with Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance in Japan.

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