Toyota is planning to revive Scion with the KEI-01, an Indiana-built mini pickup limited to 25 mph. Sales are planned only for fleet customers at launch in the second half of 2027, according to MotorTrend. Source
Individual buyers haven’t been promised a turn. MotorTrend reports that Toyota may offer the truck to retail customers if market conditions and demand support it. The publication also reported that pricing had not been announced as of November 10, 2026. Source
Small truck, important speed limit
Kei vehicles are ultra-compact cars and trucks built around Japanese limits on vehicle and engine size. The KEI-01’s American sales plan, though, hinges on another classification: low-speed vehicle. MotorTrend reports that this designation accounts for its 25-mph cap. Toyota says the vehicles will be designed to comply with current federal low-speed-vehicle standards, according to USA TODAY. Source Source
The plan is for a low-speed utility truck, not a conventional highway-capable pickup shrunk in the wash. Source Source
The announced specifications include:
- A 660cc three-cylinder gasoline engine and continuously variable automatic transmission. Source
- Part-time four-wheel drive and air conditioning. Source
- A body just over 11 feet long and under 5 feet wide, according to Toyota’s specifications reported by USA TODAY. Source
- A payload of up to 600 pounds, also according to Toyota via USA TODAY. Source
A different assignment for Scion
Toyota projects that assembling the truck in Indiana will bring a $34 million investment and create 50 jobs, USA TODAY reports. Source
Scion originally launched in 2003, offered cars including the boxy xB and tC coupe, and was discontinued in 2016, according to Paul Tan’s Automotive News. Its planned return as “Scion by Toyota” gives that familiar badge a rather different work assignment. Source Source
Toyota has also shown the SxS side-by-side and BKE scooter concepts, but those remain concepts—not two more production launches to pencil into the shopping calendar. Source
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