Toyota will expand active safety systems to entire U.S.

Toyota Division plans to make active safety technology -- including anti-collision systems -- available throughout its entire U.S. lineup by 2017, said Bill Fay, Toyota Division’s general manager.

Speaking on the sidelines of a safety presentation here, Fay told reporters Wednesday that the automaker would start its rollout in the 2015 model year.

Fay was vague on details, but hinted that Toyota would gain access to anti-collision systems that Lexus already has introduced.

TOYOTA MADE A BIG DECISION AND IT IS GOING TO BE PRODUCTIVE

For example, Lexus features a “Pre-Collision System” that uses radar and cameras to detect an imminent frontal collision, then warns the driver, tightens the seat belts and boosts braking pressure. If the driver fails to respond, the system can hit the brakes to reduce the impact.

Elements of Lexus’ safety technology will be adapted for Toyota Division’s lineup, Fay noted.

“It’s going to vary by product,” Fay said. “It will mostly be technology that we have available now” in the Lexus lineup. “We’ll build some technologies around that, and start rolling it out next year.”