Forget the stock shortages! Getting into a 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and other new Toyota models just got a whole lot easier across Australia

The automotive industry is facing several unprecedented challenges at the moment, with new-vehicle stock shortages affecting buyers in Australia and abroad. But local market leader Toyota has come up with a solution for some customers.

Yep, getting into a RAV4 Hybrid or nine other Toyota models is now as simple as downloading a smartphone application and using Bluetooth to unlock a vehicle’s doors and drive away.

That’s right; Toyota has entered the car rental business , looking to take on GoGet with its new subsidiary, Kinto, which has now gone national following a soft launch starting last June in five locations across three states.

Kinto has launched Australia-wide with 45 locations, including some Toyota dealerships and regional areas, making its fleet of Toyota vehicles available to a wide base of customers.

Unlike traditional car rental businesses, Kinto uses its app to make the process relatively easy, limiting (digital-only) paperwork along the way. Once they find a Toyota vehicle that suits their needs, customers can access it remotely and then go about their day.

Available Toyota models include the Prius C and Yaris light hatchbacks, Corolla small car, Camry mid-size sedan, C-HR small SUV, RAV4 mid-size SUV, Kluger large SUV, HiLux mid-size ute and HiAce mid-size van.

Each vehicle can be rented via the Kinto app for an hour, a day, a week, 30 days or 60 days, with the flat rate and cost per kilometre depending on the Toyota model and duration chosen.

For example, a Prius C can be had for an hour for $9.10, with each kilometre travelled costing 30c. And a HiLux (dual-cab pick-up) can be had for 60 days for $4447, with each kilometre travelled costing 22c.

It’s worth noting the flat rate covers insurance (subject to excess), roadside assistance and fuel costs, with the latter catered by a fuel card that’s located in the glovebox.

While multiple Toyota Hybrid models are currently available, Kinto is already preparing for the electric vehicle (EV) future, with plans in place for its fleet of passengers to be hybrid-only soon.