Looking ahead: A section of automotive enthusiasts in the US has long been pleading with Japanese automakers to bring some of their tiny Kei cars and trucks to North America, but those requests have always been dismissed over safety and emissions concerns. This, however, is set to change next year, with Toyota confirming plans to launch the ultra-compact Scion Kei-01 pickup truck in the second half of 2027.
The Kei-01 will be built at Toyota's factory in Princeton, Indiana, which currently assembles the Highlander, Grand Highlander, Sienna Hybrid, and Lexus TX. Toyota is investing $34 million to establish new assembly operations and upgrade production and logistics infrastructure at the plant, which is expected to add around 50 new jobs.
The truck will be powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine paired with a CVT and standard selectable four-wheel drive with an auto mode and push-button lock-up. Toyota has yet to reveal power and torque figures, but confirmed that the right-hand-drive model coming to the US will be classified as a low-speed vehicle, with its top speed restricted to just 25 mph.
The Kei-01 is also rather diminutive by American pickup standards, measuring just over 11 feet long and under five feet wide, with a three-way fold-down cargo bed rated for up to 600 pounds of payload.
Its extended cabin design with a raised roofline allows for sliding and reclining seats, plus storage space behind them. Toyota added that the truck is designed to comply with the federal safety requirements that apply to low-speed vehicles.
The Kei-01 will herald the relaunch of the Scion sub-brand that Toyota introduced in 2002 as an experimental product line for niche, quirky, and affordable cars to attract younger buyers. It will initially be sold as a fleet vehicle for commercial customers, including small business owners, farmers, municipalities, universities, and other organizations looking for efficient light trucks.
Toyota is also targeting delivery and service providers operating in urban environments, as well as outdoor enthusiasts and hobbyists wanting a versatile utility vehicle. It will be sold through a small network of authorized Scion by Toyota dealers selected from the existing Toyota dealer network, and the company is not looking at the mainstream retail market at launch.
The automaker, however, says it may consider limited retail sales down the line, depending on "market conditions, customer demand, and operational considerations." Toyota has yet to share pricing, the exact launch date, and other key details about the Kei-01, but says it will share more as plans are finalized.
Toyota's announcement comes less than a year after President Donald Trump praised Japanese Kei cars, calling them "cute" and saying he had authorized the US Secretary of Transportation to approve their production in the US, despite concerns over compliance with crash protection, lighting, and emissions standards mandated by US regulators.
Alongside the Kei-01, Toyota also showcased two concept Scion vehicles at events in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, and Frisco, Texas.
The Scion SxS Concept is an ATV-style off-roader built as a purpose-made side-by-side and powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain making more than 300 hp, while the BKE Concept is a compact two-wheeled personal mobility concept aimed at outdoor adventure and the urban commuter market.
Toyota is reviving Scion with a tiny Kei pickup built in Indiana
