Scion is back and is going to sell a kei truck in America

	Scion is back and is going to sell a kei truck in America(theautopian.com)
	553 points by NaOH 1 day ago \| 394 comments
	tl;dr: Toyota is reviving the Scion brand as "Scion by Toyota," positioning it as an experimental "freedom lab" for unconventional mobility concepts. Its first production vehicle is the KEI-01, a rebadged Daihatsu Hijet kei truck certified as a low-speed vehicle (capped at 25mph) with a 600-lb payload and 4WD, launching in late 2027 as a fleet-only pilot program. The lineup also includes two non-production concepts: a hybrid SxS off-road ATV with ~300hp from a Tacoma turbo-four, and the BKE personal mobility vehicle.
	HN Discussion: ↓The 25mph speed limit makes the truck impractical for commuting, errands, or non-farm use ↑Kei trucks are pragmatic, capable farm/utility vehicles worth celebrating in the US market ↑US roads are designed for higher speeds making kei trucks unsafe for general street use ↓Better alternatives exist via direct import of Japanese kei trucks or other small truck options ~The launch validates demand for kei trucks in the US even if this specific model is flawed