Latest Maps Version for Prado Navigation System

[cuda Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close cuda]

I think a different approach needs to be made here. If your car were built in late 2014 there would have been no issue. Yes it would suck that within a year or 2 you would need to purchase an upgrade but you probably would have accepted the maps as they were. Unfortunately Toyota use a mapping company that only produces updates every 2 to 3 yrs. Maybe the suggestion of just updating the maps to the newest next maps free of charge should be considered. My previous vehicle had the Eclipse stereo which had a similar issue and this was a 3rd party system not supplied by Toyota. I think it would be reasonable to get the next maps for free but any further maps would be at a cost. Just out of curiosity which car companies are providing up to date maps?

Thanks
Doug

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

I looked at a friend's Hyundai some time ago, this had more recent maps than my Prado and had the option of android auto or car play so you could use google maps which would be fine. As mentioned before Toyota link searches using google maps so the results are current but of course will not display on the factory unit if the map is old.
Why do you say "Toyota uses a mapping company that only produces updates every two to three years? My head unit says iGO software with maps supplied by HERE. Exactly the same combination on my mobile phone has 2016 maps, but we are not allowed to display the phone output on the factory screen.

I wouldn't mind paying for a current map despite Garmin and Tomtom offering free "lifetime" updates on their stand alone units but why should I pay $300 for an already out of date map?

PS only a few more weeks before we return to WA so hope to catch up with you again.

[cuda Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close cuda]

I looked at a friend's Hyundai some time ago, this had more recent maps than my Prado and had the option of android auto or car play so you could use google maps which would be fine. As mentioned before Toyota link searches using google maps so the results are current but of course will not display on the factory unit if the map is old.
Why do you say "Toyota uses a mapping company that only produces updates every two to three years? My head unit says iGO software with maps supplied by HERE. Exactly the same combination on my mobile phone has 2016 maps, but we are not allowed to display the phone output on the factory screen.

I wouldn't mind paying for a current map despite Garmin and Tomtom offering free "lifetime" updates on their stand alone units but why should I pay $300 for an already out of date map?

PS only a few more weeks before we return to WA so hope to catch up with you again.

Will the next map be out of date on release? I'm hoping its close to current. Its all about licensing etc as to when maps can be released. Defo catch up.

[dvlpr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dvlpr]

There are up-to-date maps made by that company and they are available for other vehicles - I downloaded them and had them on the SD card in my head unit and the car does read the versions in correctly. Of course it doesn't let you use them because there is "no license". To me it sounds like a money game - maps are there, but Toyota is waiting to get as many people as possible on the old maps, so they all start paying up once the "new" maps are released (nevermind that they are already available). If that's the case, then they will not be budging or responding to any e-mails or calls - it's probably an internal policy. Dealerships are not to blame here, so I wouldn't berate them - if there were pirated maps/licenses available and the dealerships would deny that, then yes, I'd say dealerships are in on this, but I honestly think they don't have any updates either.

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

Yes I agree the dealerships do not want this problem and may even be embarrassed that they are selling a new vehicle with older navigation software than their nearby competitors. However they could put pressure on Toyota Australia to rectify the situation but instead seem content to repeat the company line that "maps take two years to be integrated into the vehicle" This is obviously complete rubbish.
If we do not get a satisfactory answer from Toyota I will post reviews on dealership websites stating that future customers should be aware that Australian Toyota vehicles are sold with possibly two year old maps as this is the true situation.

[Puddock Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Puddock]

FWIW: My complaint email and the Toyota response

MY COMPLAINT:

"Why should I pay for a map upgrade when my new Prado was sold with outdated over 2 year old maps.


to guestexperience
By now you must be aware of a growing band of Toyota owners who are dissatisfied with Totoya's lack of an adequate response to this issue.

The following is but one discussion on the subject:
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...igation-System


I paid $64,000 for a vehicle which was delivered with GPS maps which failed to show a new major highway which had been opened over two years before I bought my Prado. Yet Toyota expect me to pay hundreds of dollars for a map update.

Why are Australian vehicles sold with two years out of date maps?
Why can European customers easily download a more up to date map?
Why are Australian customers charged $300 for a two year old map every 18-24 months?
If it takes Toyota Australia two years to "integrate a map to a vehicle" how can other Australian car companies manage to provide up to date ones?"
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________

TOYOTA RESPONSE

Thank you for your correspondence addressed to Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA), dated 16 September 2016 regarding an upgrade to your vehicle’s Satellite Navigation System.

Toyota’s Satellite Navigation System are the product of high investment in the development of this technology. However Toyota works with its supplier/s to ensure that its systems are part of an effective supply strategy, which balances current technology and price.

At the time of manufacture, the vehicle is fitted with the most up to date maps version at that time. Satellite Navigation Updates are released every 18-24 months.

The cost to upgrade your vehicle’s Satellite Navigation System (today) encompasses the manufacturer’s initial as well as, ongoing development costs. To mitigate this Toyota minimises our margin, to cover our transport and handling costs only.

We have forwarded a copy of your feedback with your suggestions to our Product Planning Department. This department collates all such information for consideration with future product upgrades and/or changes.

We reiterate our regret for the concern and disappointment and thank you for your correspondence and the opportunity to address this matter.

Regards,

A*****
Consultant
Guest Experience Centre
Toyota Australia
P 1800 TOYOTA (869 682)
E [email protected] | W www.toyota.com.au"

[paddyb Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close paddyb]

Maybe we are looking at this the wrong way. How about we let marketing in "Ford" know our dilemma and they could use this in their advertising, mentioning the competition selling a new vehicle with maps over two years old. You know the one with the lady in Blue not mentioning the other competition but trying to get you to test drive a "Ford". They are now offering "Free" SYNC2 satnav updates among other offers. Not sure if they would even care but if they lose a sale or two ???????????
http://www.ford.com.au/about/newsroo...=1249238660908

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

I think that any publicity will be helpful.

As for the response from Toyota, (I still haven't received any) if you think it is waffle or some may say BS, I think it is perfectly reasonable to reply asking why the main issue was ignored.
Namely why does the Australian market appear to be different to the majority of Toyota's other markets?
As for TMCA saying "At the time of manufacture, the vehicle is fitted with the most up to date maps version at that time"
This is not true as we all know that new vehicles can have up to two year old maps even if they are fitted with the most recent one.
If Toyota find it too hard or too expensive to provide recent software, why don't they unlock their head units to allow customers to use their own?

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Namely why does the Australian market appear to be different to the majority of Toyota's other markets?

Population of Europe 743.1 Million

Population of Australia 23.1 Million

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

Yes you raise a good point, however I still think that Toyota Australia get away with this because their customers are willing to let them.
I have received an email response from the "guest" experience centre:

Dear John,

Thank you for your recent email with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) related to your 2015 Prado GXL Sat Nav map update.

We will continue to investigate your case and contact you once I have further information.

Thank you for contacting Toyota Australia and allowing us the opportunity to respond.

Regards,

Bradley
Toyota Australia
P 1800 TOYOTA (869 682)
E [email protected] | W www.toyota.com.au

Included at the bottom of the message is the logo "Toyota Oh what a feeling" which reminds me that I did send TMCA a tweet saying "Oh what a feeling, lost in my new vehicle because it's maps are out of date" The tweet got a few "likes" but unsurprisingly no response from Toyota.

[NormallyHappy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close NormallyHappy]

In 2010 I gave up with Toyota trying to get the sat nav upgraded to a recent version on my Kakadu and have been running after market units, at least they tell when there are speed cameras etc coming up and are easier and cheaper to update

[RB80 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RB80]

From my email to Toyota mid-August all I could gather was:
- Toyota does not believe it is an effective strategy to provide up to date maps in the vehicles it sells to Australian customers
- This is because it costs money that Toyota does not believe is necessary to expend in order to have customers buy their cars

To: XXXX
Sent: Wednesday, 24 August 2016, 12:20
Subject: Re: 2016-064303 - 2016 - PRADO T/D GXL - MAPS UPDATE [ ref:_00D30iWht._500a0199WdX:ref ]

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for your correspondence addressed to Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA), regarding an upgrade to your vehicle’s Satellite Navigation System.

Toyota’s Satellite Navigation System are the product of high investment in the development of this technology. However Toyota works with its supplier/s to ensure that its systems are part of an effective supply strategy, which balances current technology and price.

The cost to upgrade your vehicle’s Satellite Navigation System (today) encompasses the manufacturer’s initial as well as, ongoing development costs. To mitigate this Toyota minimises our margin, to cover our transport and handling costs only.

Please be advised when a vehicle is manufactured the most current and update to date maps are installed, however the maps are updated every 18-24 months and should you wish to update your maps please visit your local Toyota Dealer’s Parts Department.

TMCA again thanks you for your correspondence and the opportunity to address this matter.

Regards

Michael
Guest Experience Centre
Toyota Australia
P 1800 TOYOTA (869 682)
E [email protected] | W www.toyota.com.au

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

Ha Ha thanks for posting your reply, looks like they copy/paste the standard response as two people have posted it word for word.
Seems like more evidence of TMCA taking the p**s to me! I wonder if the wording will have changed when I eventually receive my reply?
As I have not received the "standard" response (yet) perhaps they are still working on a reply to me knowing that I could be an awkward customer having already complained to a Senator and to WA consumer protection. Fat lot of use that did though!
Google reviews for every dealer must be the way forward now?

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

Their replies look like standard 'knowledgebase' replies that are either automated, suggested to their agents (by their systems) or selected by their agents. The disappointing thing (and I work on customer service processes) is that they have lost focus on real customer relations and true customer satisfaction. The key issue is: are the customers happy. In this case obviously not, but perhaps their monthly reports still look OK!!!
What they should realise is that is would be worth them spending (about) $1m pa to largely absorb the map update costs since it would payback in terms of reputation and customer loyalty.
I can probably live with the maps data issues (for the moment) but their attitude is frustrating. 'Oh what a bad feeling!'

[jasmal Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jasmal]

My Prado hasn't arrived yet, so I have sent an email to the dealer asking for them to confirm it does not have out of date maps.

What year models are all of yours, that you are having issues with?