Toyota’s Forgotten Wing Is Building The Truck America Wants More Than Anything
Great news is on the horizon for kei truck fans. Forget overseas shipping costs and the 25-year import rule. Toyota and Scion are teaming up to build a kei truck, the KEI-01, in America. This collaboration is helping dreams come true as farmers, hobbyists, and business owners have spent decades begging automakers to make kei trucks available in the United States. It could be a more affordable option than side-by-side vehicles and the Ford Maverick. Best of all, the ultra-compact truck will be modern and safe.
Scion By Toyota Is Building The KEI-01
The Scion by Toyota brand is a “freedom lab” built around bold ideas, curiosity, and the possibility to ask what’s next and discover how far unique ideas can go to advance utility, capability, and personal expression. The first unique vehicle to emerge from this experimental collaboration is the highly anticipated KEI-01, which is designed to meet low-speed vehicle safety standards.
It’s a super compact kei truck with a big personality and tons of capability. The truck is powered by a reliable 600cc three-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission to deliver an optimal balance of low-end torque and fuel efficiency. Plus, it has standard selectable four-wheel drive with auto mode and push-button lockup to confidently traverse mud, snow, and uneven terrain.
The right-hand drive KEI-01 is about 11 feet long and under five feet wide to deliver an agile performance and plenty of maneuverability in tight spaces. Operators can easily access the three-way fold-down cargo bed to load and unload materials from a lower height. As a hard-working member of the team, the truck can carry a payload of 600 pounds and has enough structural rigidity to tow small trailers.
Unlike kei trucks that are old and outdated, the KEI-01 is modern and comfortable with all-weather climate control thanks to a closed cabin with heat and air conditioning. The extended cabin has a raised roofline to provide space for reclining and sliding seats as well as extra storage space.
When Will The KEI-01 Come Out?
The KEI-01 will enter production in the second half of 2027 for a 2028 release. It will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (Toyota Indiana) and is supported by a $34 million investment that will add roughly 50 jobs as part of Toyota’s continued commitment to investing in the United States and American jobs.
However, things might get off to a slow start. This is an extremely niche vehicle that will initially be offered through a fleet-focused pilot program, so the automaker can learn how to best serve United States customers and use cases. Fleet sales will begin through Scion by Toyota dealers selected from among current Toyota dealers.
These dealers will serve as customer-facing sales channels. Toyota may expand to offer availability at a later date based on operational considerations, customer demand, and market conditions. So, if you want this kei truck as a personal vehicle, now is the time to make your preference known to Toyota. Also, pricing for the KEI-01 hasn’t been released but imported kei trucks typically sell for between $6,000 and $10,000.
But Wait, Scion By Toyota Is Building More
The KEI-01 is only the first of three experimental vehicles being launched by the brand. It’s also experimenting in the side-by-side realm with the SxS concept that reimagines the all-terrain vehicle. The SSV is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces over 300 hp in a compact off-road package.
The SxS is built to tackle all challenges thrown its way with the ability to dominate desert runs and complete technical rock crawling challenges. It features remarkable suspension articulation with a nimble footprint to go wherever your adventures lead. Also, the Silent Mode allows the vehicle to quietly operate with electric power to peacefully connect with nature.
Next up, we have the BKE concept that explores practical mobility with compact packaging. Not a lot of information has been shared, but the concept looks like a scooter and bike had a baby. A comfortable seat sits above a mid-section where you can fold up the handle bars and thick, chunky tires.
This is just a wild guess until more information is released, but I bet the BKE is electric, like the Honda Motocompacto all-electric personal mobility scooter. Only the BKE looks more capable of traversing rugged terrain. The Motocompacto has a top speed of 15 mph and a range of 12 miles, so hopefully the BKE will be a bit more powerful. But only time will tell, as Scion by Toyota allows curiosity to lead the way.
Source: Toyota
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