Toyota announced Tuesday that it will revive the Scion brand, which was discontinued in 2016. The automaker also revealed plans to assemble a tiny pickup truck, the Kei-01, at its Indiana plant in the second half of 2027.
Kei vehicles, short for “keijidosha,” roughly translated as “light vehicles,” are popular in Japan. A typical kei car costs between $6,000 and $11,000. The Kei-01 is nearly 4 feet shorter than a Corolla, features a motorcycle-sized three-cylinder engine, has a top speed of 25 mph and comes with a right-hand steering wheel.
Toyota said the Kei-01 has been designed to meet applicable federal safety requirements for low-speed vehicles. It will come standard with a 660cc three-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission and four-wheel drive (4WD), making it an affordable option for specific utility and transportation needs.
The vehicle will initially be offered through a fleet-focused pilot program to help Toyota understand how best to serve U.S. customers and meet their needs. Initial fleet sales will be handled by Scion by Toyota dealers selected from the automaker’s existing Toyota dealership network, which will serve as the customer-facing sales channel.
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Toyota may consider expanding availability to limited retail sales at a later date, depending on market conditions, customer demand and operational considerations.
Toyota describes Scion as a “freedom lab” built around bold ideas, curiosity and possibility. The brand will “learn and evolve through new vehicle concepts, designs, capabilities, and experiences that could help shape the future of Toyota mobility,” the company said.
The company also showcased two additional vehicles: the SxS Concept and the BKE Concept.
The SxS Concept is a purpose-built side-by-side vehicle developed by Toyota’s North American engineering team. It combines a high-output, turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing more than 300 horsepower with a compact off-road design intended for all-terrain use.
Toyota describes the BKE Concept as a small, highly adaptable vehicle designed to create new possibilities for different lifestyles, activities and experiences.
“The future of mobility will not be defined by one vehicle, one technology or one way of thinking,” said Simon Humphries, chief branding officer and head of design at Toyota Motor Corporation.
“Scion by Toyota gives us a place to challenge conventional thinking, explore new possibilities and create mobility in new ways. The KEI-01, SxS and BKE concepts each represent a different possibility—and together, they show what can happen when curiosity leads the way.”
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Toyota said production at its Indiana plant represents its “continued commitment to investing in the U.S. and American jobs.” The project is backed by a $34 million investment expected to create approximately 50 new jobs.
According to Business Insider, affordable car options in the U.S. have been disappearing from dealership lots, with several models priced below $25,000, including the Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa and Kia Soul, being discontinued.
For years, Americans interested in kei trucks have largely had to purchase older imported models. Federal rules generally allow vehicles that do not meet U.S. safety standards to be imported if they are at least 25 years old.
The Kei-01 will be based on the Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo, which sells in Japan for around $9,000. Toyota has not yet announced pricing for the U.S. market.