Toyota’s connected car enterprise with Microsoft has launched a spin-off firm to develop mobility solutions tailored to the European market.

The new start-up will extend Toyota Connected’s global mobility solutions business

The Toyota Connected enterprise launched two years ago in the US to provide software- and data-driven mobility solutions.

Now, Toyota Connected has launched a new start-up company, based in London, that will support the growing adoption of new mobility businesses in Europe with tailored products and services.

Headed up by Toyota Connected North America’s CEO, Zack Hicks, as chairman with Agustin Martin, Toyota Motor Europe’s vice president, connected car and mobility, as CEO, the business launches with an initial investment of £4.5m (€5.1m) and 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. This includes for businesses, governments as well as consumers.

The company will make use of Toyota’s Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) that can be used to underpin mobility services including ride sharing, car sharing and remote delivery, as well as manage the European operations of the Toyota Big Data Center.

Shigeki Tomoyama, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Corporation and head of Toyota Connected’s global operations, said: “Toyota Connected Europe will be an important strategic business unit in Europe when it comes to promoting our connected strategy using Toyota’s unique Mobility Service Platform. Moving forward, leveraging our state-of-the-art data analysis technology, we will bring a more diverse and rich mobility experience to our customers in Europe.”