NEW YORK - Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will launch its KEI-01 ultracompact utility truck in the United States in the second half of 2027, investing $34 million in production in the country and creating around 50 new jobs.
The automaker plans to sell the vehicle, commonly known in Japan as a "kei" truck, first to corporate customers and may consider general sales depending on demand. The price has yet to be disclosed, but Toyota said the vehicle would be priced affordably.
The company will assemble the trucks at a plant in Indiana using components of the Hijet mini truck sold in Japan by Daihatsu Motor Co., a Toyota subsidiary, targeting demand from farmers and small businesses in urban areas. The components will be imported from Japan.
The ultracompact trucks will be designed to meet U.S. safety requirements for low-speed vehicles, having a top speed of 25 miles per hour. While they can be driven on public roads, they may not be allowed on certain roads in some states due to speed and other restrictions.
Toyota will sell the KEI-01 under Scion by Toyota, a new brand exploring possibilities for new forms of mobility in the United States.
