Toyota is reviving Scion with a tiny Indiana-built pickup truck

Toyota has officially announced that its tiny kei truck will be making its way to the US market, marking a new venture aimed at providing a cheaper truck alternative for Americans. Kei trucks, or "keijidosha," are extremely popular and affordable in Japan, with an average price between $6,000 and $11,000. Toyota plans to assemble the Kei-01, a tiny pickup, at its Indiana plant in the second half of 2027, reviving the low-cost Scion brand that was discontinued in 2016.

The Kei-01 is significantly smaller than the average American vehicle, with a length nearly 4 feet shorter than a Corolla, a motorcycle-sized three-cylinder engine, and a top speed of 25 mph. Unlike most American cars, the Kei-01 has a steering wheel on the right side. The automaker is aiming to cater to the growing demand for cheaper, smaller vehicles, as the average transaction price for a new vehicle in the US rose to $51,109 in October, with pickup trucks being the most expensive category.

Several sub-$25,000 options have been discontinued since the end of 2024, leaving limited choices for low-cost car options. Toyota is the first company to announce plans to build a kei truck in the US and will also upgrade the safety features, including modern seatbelts, making it eligible to drive in all 50 states. While the company has not released pricing figures for the American market, it is expected to be affordable.