This internship at Toyota Motor Europe focuses on market research and product planning for next-generation Software Defined Vehicles. You will support the development of future digital products and services by analysing customer needs, market trends, and competitor offerings in areas such as AI, cloud, and connected services. Working closely with cross-functional and global teams, you’ll help shape product strategies, define value propositions, and translate emerging technologies into meaningful, customer-centric solutions.

TOYOTA is one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers and a leading global corporation. Founded in 1937. Toyota now sells vehicles in 170 countries and employs over 350.000 people. Based in Brussels, Belgium, and staffed by 2.700 people and more than 60 nationalities, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) handles the wholesale marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts & accessories, and manages Toyota’s European R&D, manufacturing, and engineering operations.

We are excited to be transforming into a mobility company focusing on bringing even more happiness to our customers through various mobility solutions.

As an intern in Market Research and Product Planning within TME R&D4, you will support the definition and evolution of next‑generation Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) products and services. You will work at the intersection of customer insights, competitive intelligence, product strategy, and technology exploration, collaborating with global cross‑functional teams across product, engineering, operations, and UX.

Your responsibilities

Market & Customer Insight

• Identify customer needs, behavioural patterns, and expectations in the SDV and connected services domain.
• Conduct market research, analyse emerging trends (AI, cloud, data platforms)
• Benchmark competitor products, features, and business models.

Product Strategy & Planning

• Assist in roadmap alignment across internal stakeholders (engineering, UX, operations, quality).
• Contribute to feature definition, value propositions, and business assessments.
• Help translate technology into clear product opportunities.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Facilitate alignment on product strategies, ensuring coherence across technical and non‑technical groups.
• Prepare clear communication materials and summaries for leadership and project teams.

Technical Understanding & Problem Analysis

• Understand key technologies within the SDV ecosystem to participate meaningfully in discussions with engineering teams.
• Explore technical solution options by asking the right questions and analysing constraints, trade‑offs, and risks.
• Support decision‑making using structured data analysis and insights.

Education & Background

• Master’s student in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience or interest in emerging and consumer technologies (cloud, AI, big data, embedded systems, multimedia) is an asset.
• Knowledge or interest in user interface design or digital services is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills
• Ability to process, structure, and interpret large volumes of data.
• Clear and effective oral and written communication in English; additional languages are a plus.
• Vision and curiosity for future industry trends, especially in Software Defined Vehicles
• Deep affinity for customer experience and user needs

Working Style

• Persistent, dependable, structured, and able to work under pressure when needed.
• Result‑driven with the ability to break complex tasks into manageable steps.
• Strong motivation to collaborate across business, technical, and global teams.
• High commitment to delivering user and partner satisfaction.

Other Requirements

• • Valid EU driving license.

Place of employment: Toyota Motor Europe Technical Centre – 1930 Zaventem

Starting date: Spring 2026

Duration

•  6 months

Confidentiality

Due to business requirement, not all performed projects can be reflected in the internship report. This issue needs to be discussed with candidate/school in advance.

It is mandatory that applicants are students for the entire period of the internship.

We can only accept students with an EEA or Swiss citizenship (not requiring a work permit or visa to be eligible to perform an internship in Belgium)

We offer a dynamic multicultural work environment with broad opportunities to learn every day and exciting career pathways that help you explore different disciplines or areas of expertise.

Your benefits

• Flexible working hours and hybrid working (homeworking, 10 days from abroad);
• Company restaurant – Warm dishes, salads and desserts daily, including Japanese and traditional Belgian specialties, as well as a vegan/vegetarian option;
• Sport facilities – Tennis, squash, volleyball, football and softball pitches are available at various Toyota sites;
• Team building activities and other personnel related events;
• Programs to support your physical and social well-being.

At Toyota Motor Europe, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all. All our recruitment decisions are based on the individual and their qualifications along with the job requirements. The selection process is without regard to nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, ethnicity, disability or other personal characteristics. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination as our individual experiences and overall diversity is our key strength. Together we have the power to make a positive change and go beyond the ordinary.

If you need any specific consideration for the interview process due to disability or any other reason, please let the recruiter know.