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Toyota’s Scion is back, starting with an American-made, 25-mph kei truck

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The brand's comeback strategy centers on the KEI-01, an Indiana-built mini-truck tailored specifically for municipal, agricultural, and commercial operations. Engineered to meet federal Low-Speed Vehicle standards, the compact vehicle features an enclosed cabin, right-hand steering, and a 660cc three-cylinder engine paired with an on-demand four-wheel-drive system. Assembly will take place at the Princeton manufacturing facility following a dedicated $34 million investment that adds approximately 50 local jobs. Broader public access remains an open possibility as the company assesses commercial fleet performance and overall market interest.

Key points

  • Initial deliveries are scheduled to begin through select corporate dealerships during the…: Initial deliveries are scheduled to begin through select corporate dealerships during the second half of 2027.
  • Access will be restricted initially to commercial fleets across farms, corporate campuses…: Access will be restricted initially to commercial fleets across farms, corporate campuses, municipalities, and local delivery routes.
  • The company is positioning the revived marque as an experimental testing ground for non-t…: The company is positioning the revived marque as an experimental testing ground for non-traditional utility vehicles and adventure-focused concepts.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Toyota is dusting off the Scion badge for a radically different mission. Rather than targeting youth-market hatchbacks, “Scion by Toyota” is being positioned as an experimental mobility incubator — and its first vehicle is an authentic Japanese-style kei truck built in Indiana.

Toyota’s Scion is back, starting with an American-made, 25-mph kei truck

Toyota is reviving the Scion badge as an experimental mobility incubator—starting with an Indiana-built, 25-mph kei truck engineered for American fleets.

Toyota is reviving the Scion badge as an experimental mobility incubator—starting with an Indiana-built, 25-mph kei truck engineered for American fleets.

Kei vehicles, which are built to satisfy Japan’s light vehicle regulations, are enjoying surging popularity around the world, including here in the US. More than 30,000 used kei trucks have been imported into the US since 2020, with roughly 7,500 units entering the country each year. Even President Trump is a fan, telling reporters last year that he authorized the Department of Transportation to approve their production.

Toyota looks to be the first to test the American market’s appetite for the tiny trucks. The choice…

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