Trump wanted little Kei trucks for America, Toyota makes it happen

President Donald Trump had proposed a bold idea to increase the variety of compact cars available to Americans. Last year, he suggested that the Department of Transportation (DoT) should legalize Japan's smaller "Kei" cars in the United States. Although attempts to gather more information from the DoT have been largely unsuccessful, Toyota has recently taken action by bringing back the Scion brand with the KEI-01.

Kei cars are distinct from the dominant SUVs commonly seen in the United States. In America, these larger vehicles have become prevalent due to government policies, specifically corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. These standards made it less profitable to sell smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. In contrast, Japan's Kei cars are designed with restrictions on size, engine capacity, and power output.