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Toyota is bringing back Scion as “Scion by Toyota,” a brand focused on mobility concepts, and has named the KEI-01 kei truck as its first production vehicle. The truck is planned for a low-volume U.S. fleet pilot beginning in late 2027; Toyota has not announced broad retail availability or a left-hand-drive version.
Toyota is reviving Scion as “Scion by Toyota,” a mobility-focused brand whose first production vehicle will be the KEI-01 kei truck. The company plans a low-volume U.S. fleet pilot beginning in late 2027, rather than an immediate nationwide retail launch, according to The Autopian’s report on Toyota’s announcement.
The KEI-01 is described as an ultra-compact utility truck based on the Toyota Pixis, itself related to the Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo Cab. Toyota plans to use its manufacturing infrastructure in Indiana to produce the trucks for the U.S. market. The report describes the vehicle as a rebadge and says initial images appear to show a right-hand-drive model; Toyota has not confirmed a left-hand-drive version.
The reported specifications include a 660cc engine and CVT, four-wheel drive, standard heating and air conditioning, and a cargo bed that folds down on three sides. The truck is about 5 feet wide and 11 feet long, with a stated payload of 600 pounds, including passengers and cargo. The source says it was certified to U.S. low-speed vehicle standards, limiting its top speed to under 25 mph and restricting it to roads posted below 35 mph.
Toyota is also associating Scion with two mobility concepts: the SxS Concept, an off-road side-by-side, and the BKE Concept, a compact outdoor mobility vehicle. The SxS was shown at the 2025 SEMA Show and remains a concept, with no public-sale plans reported. The BKE is presented as a portable, rugged vehicle for outdoor use; no production timetable was provided.
A Small Truck With Limited Roads
The KEI-01’s stated speed and road restrictions make it unlike a conventional pickup or passenger vehicle. Its initial role is more likely to be work on farms, in warehouses, and on other controlled or low-speed routes than everyday commuting. Toyota’s fleet-first approach lets the company evaluate demand and practical use before deciding whether to widen availability.
A sale directly through Toyota would also give U.S. fleet buyers a manufacturer-backed route to a type of vehicle that, as The Autopian notes, is currently sold new in the country through independent distributors. That could make the truck easier for some organizations to source and support, though Toyota has not announced pricing, service arrangements, or the size of the pilot.
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Scion’s New Role at Toyota
Toyota originally launched Scion in 2003 to attract younger buyers with relatively affordable cars and distinctive styling. The brand’s sales peaked in 2006 and later fell; Toyota discontinued it in 2016. The revival is not presented as a return to that passenger-car lineup. Instead, Toyota is describing “Scion by Toyota” as a “freedom lab” for exploring mobility through vehicle designs, concepts, and features.
The KEI-01’s reported basis also links it to Japan’s kei-vehicle category, which is known for compact dimensions and small engines. In the U.S. announcement described by The Autopian, Toyota’s model is being positioned as a low-speed vehicle, not as a highway-capable mini pickup. The pilot program will be the first practical test of this Scion branding and product direction.
““freedom lab””
— Toyota, describing Scion by Toyota, as quoted in The Autopian
Retail Plans and Specifications Unsettled
Toyota has not disclosed the pilot’s fleet size, pricing, participating buyers, or sales locations. It is also unclear whether the KEI-01 will be offered to individual customers after the trial, or whether the program will expand beyond fleets. The report says initial images appear to show right-hand drive, but Toyota has not confirmed whether that configuration will be used for the U.S. pilot or whether a left-hand-drive option is planned.
The article reports the truck’s engine, payload, and low-speed certification details, but further information about its final U.S. specification and operating requirements was not provided. No production plans were reported for either the SxS or BKE concepts.
Fleet Testing Starts in 2027
Toyota’s stated next step is to begin the low-volume fleet pilot in late 2027. The company may use the program’s performance and owner feedback to decide whether to expand availability, according to The Autopian. Toyota has not announced when it will disclose further details, identify pilot customers, or make a decision on broader sales.
For now, buyers should treat the KEI-01 as a planned fleet vehicle, not a truck available to order at a Toyota dealership. Any change in that status, including retail plans or confirmed U.S. specifications, would depend on information Toyota releases as the pilot approaches.
Key Questions
Is Scion returning as a regular car brand?
Toyota is reviving the name as “Scion by Toyota”, described as a mobility-focused “freedom lab.” The announcement does not describe a return to Scion’s former passenger-car lineup.
Can U.S. consumers buy the KEI-01 now?
No. The reported plan is a low-volume fleet pilot beginning in late 2027. Toyota has not announced retail sales or dealer ordering.
Can the KEI-01 be driven on highways?
The Autopian reports that the truck meets low-speed vehicle standards, with a top speed below 25 mph and use limited to roads posted below 35 mph. It is not described as a highway-capable vehicle.
Will the U.S. truck have left-hand drive?
That has not been confirmed. The report says initial images appear to show a right-hand-drive vehicle, but Toyota has not announced whether a left-hand-drive version will be offered.
Are the SxS and BKE concepts going into production?
No production plans were reported. The SxS remains a concept, and Toyota has not provided a production timetable for the BKE.
Source: theautopian.com
