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Toyota is bringing back Scion as a mobility-focused division and plans to sell the KEI-01, a small, right-hand-drive kei truck, to U.S. fleet operators in limited volumes starting in the second half of 2027. The truck will be built in Indiana, restricted to 25 mph under low-speed vehicle rules and not initially offered for regular retail sale. Toyota also displayed a UTV and a folding electric bike concept, but has not confirmed production plans for either.
Toyota is reviving Scion as a mobility-focused division and plans to bring a small kei truck to the U.S. under the name KEI-01, but the vehicle will initially be restricted to low-volume fleet sales. Toyota says it will build the right-hand-drive truck in Indiana and begin sales in the second half of 2027; its 25-mph top speed and fleet-only distribution mean it is not a conventional new retail pickup.
The KEI-01 will be sold through Toyota’s fleet services division and selected Toyota dealers to fleet operators, rather than offered broadly to individual buyers. Toyota is targeting users such as ranchers and small businesses that need a compact work vehicle. The company has not disclosed a price or the number of trucks it expects to produce. It said limited retail sales could be considered later, depending on consumer demand, market conditions and operational factors.
The truck uses a 660cc three-cylinder engine, continuously variable transmission and four-wheel drive. It is just over 11 feet long and under 5 feet wide, with a maximum payload of 600 pounds. Its two-door cab has a raised roof, and heat and air conditioning are standard. The cargo bed has three fold-down sides. Toyota plans to build it in right-hand drive, matching the Japanese-market vehicle known as the Pixis.
Toyota says the KEI-01 is designed to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500, the federal requirements for low-speed vehicles. Its top speed will be limited to 25 mph. That classification and speed limit help explain why the truck’s proposed U.S. role is narrow: it is intended for limited, lower-speed work rather than ordinary highway driving.
A Fleet Tool, Not a Retail Pickup
The announcement offers a concrete but limited answer to interest in bringing kei vehicles to U.S. roads. The KEI-01 is a small work vehicle backed by a major automaker and planned for U.S. assembly, but its 25-mph cap, 600-pound payload and fleet-only launch distinguish it from the road-going mini-trucks many consumers may have in mind. Buyers should not assume the announcement means a Japanese-style kei truck will soon be available at Toyota showrooms for personal use.
For fleet operators with suitable low-speed routes or worksites, a vehicle less than five feet wide could be useful where larger trucks are difficult to maneuver or park. Whether that potential translates into demand remains unknown: Toyota has not released a price, production target or detailed information about where the vehicles may be operated. The Scion revival is also a test of Toyota’s willingness to develop niche mobility products beyond its main passenger-car and truck lineup.
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Scion’s New Mobility Role
Toyota ended Scion as a standalone brand about a decade ago. It is now returning under a different purpose: Toyota describes the renewed brand as a “Freedom Lab” for testing mobility ideas on and off pavement. The KEI-01 is the first announced product tied to the revival, and Toyota plans to sell it through selected dealers operating within its existing network.
The truck is not the only concept connected with the effort. Toyota previously showed a Scion UTV at the 2025 SEMA show, fitted with long-travel suspension and a turbocharged 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain drawn from the Tacoma TRD Pro, according to The Drive’s report. Toyota also displayed the BKE, a folding electric two-wheeler that the company says can fold in 30 seconds and recharge from a 110-volt outlet. The report says Toyota has not confirmed production for either concept.
“The KEI-01 is the first step in the revival of Scion as a mobility sub-division for Toyota.”
— The Drive
Price, Volume and Retail Plans
Toyota has not announced the KEI-01’s price, production volume, order process or specific operating locations. It is also unclear how many fleet operators will be eligible to buy it and what restrictions may apply beyond its low-speed classification. Toyota has said retail availability may be considered later, but has not set a decision date or promised a consumer version.
Production plans for the Scion UTV and BKE folding bike remain unconfirmed. Their display alongside the truck signals that Toyota is exploring other mobility products, but a concept showing does not establish that either will reach customers. Details such as the BKE’s range, battery capacity and price were not provided in the source report.
Fleet Launch Planned for 2027
Toyota’s stated next milestone is the KEI-01’s planned arrival in the second half of 2027. Before then, the company may release pricing, production numbers, dealer and fleet eligibility details, and information about intended use. Those details will determine whether the truck is a practical option for particular businesses or a very small-volume demonstration of Scion’s new direction.
There is no confirmed production schedule for the UTV or BKE, and Toyota has not announced a timetable for deciding whether the KEI-01 will be offered to retail customers. For now, the confirmed plan is limited to the fleet-focused truck; broader Scion offerings remain under development or consideration.
Key Questions
When will Toyota’s KEI-01 arrive in the U.S.?
Toyota plans to begin sales in the second half of 2027. The company has not provided a specific launch date.
Can individual buyers purchase the KEI-01?
Not at launch under the announced plan. Toyota says it will sell the truck in limited volumes to fleet operators through its fleet services division and selected dealers. The company may consider limited retail sales later, but has not committed to them.
How fast can the KEI-01 travel?
The truck will be limited to 25 mph and is designed to meet federal low-speed vehicle requirements, according to Toyota.
Will Toyota build the truck in the United States?
Yes. Toyota says the KEI-01 will be built in Indiana, in right-hand-drive configuration.
Are the Scion UTV and folding bike going into production?
No production plans have been confirmed for either concept. Toyota displayed the UTV and BKE folding electric bike alongside the KEI-01, but their future availability remains unclear.
Source: thedrive.com
