Toyota brings back Scion brand to launch an American-made kei truck

Toyota is bringing back its defunct Scion brand to serve as an experimental mobility incubator focusing on utility and alternative vehicle types. The first release from the revived brand will be the KEI-01, an authentic Japanese-style kei truck manufactured in Indiana. The tiny vehicle measures roughly 11 feet long and under 5 feet wide, featuring a 660cc three-cylinder gas engine and a top speed capped at 25 mph to comply with federal Low-Speed Vehicle rules. Scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2027, the truck is designed for stop-and-go driving, tight spaces, and American fleets with a 600-pound payload capacity.