New York, Nov. 10 (Jiji Press)–A U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday that it will launch the Kei-01 ultra-compact utility truck, developed for the U.S. market based on Japan’s “kei” light trucks, in the second half of 2027. Toyota Motor North America Inc. expects demand from small businesses, farmers and urban delivery operators seeking affordable commercial vehicles. The Kei-01, whose price has not been disclosed, will initially be sold in limited quantities on a trial basis, with Toyota considering a broader rollout after assessing customer demand. The vehicle is the first product under the new Scion by Toyota brand, which pursues experimental ideas and concepts. In the United States, the Kei-01 falls into the low-speed vehicle category, with a top speed of 25 miles per hour, although it can be driven on public roads in many states. Toyota will export parts for the Jumbo light truck of subsidiary Daihatsu Motor Co.’s Hijet series from Japan and assemble the Kei-01 at a plant in Indiana. Toyota will invest 34 million dollars in the plant to prepare for production. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post in December last year that he would permit the manufacture of “tiny cars” in the United States. His favorable stance toward small vehicles, a segment in which Japanese automakers excel, is also believed to have helped pave the way for Toyota’s decision to launch the light truck in the United States. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
