Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Toyota just shocked the automotive world by resurrecting the Scion brand—not with youth-focused sporty coupes, but as a "Freedom Lab" for innovative micro-mobility, kicking things off with a Japanese-style kei truck.
In this episode, we sit down with Don Federico, Chief Engineer for Scion by Toyota in North America, to break down what the heck is going on. From the nitty-gritty specs of the new Scion KEI 01 mini truck to Toyota’s massive plans for powersports and electric micro-mobility, Don explains why Toyota is entering this space now, what their goals are, and how these vehicles will be built right here in the U.S.
In this episode, we cover:
The Return of Scion: Why Toyota revived the brand as an innovation test lab rather than a traditional car company.
What is a Kei Truck?: Breaking down Japan's 660cc vehicle class and how the KEI 01 (built in partnership with Daihatsu) stacks up against affordable small truck rumors like the Slate EV truck and Ford Fathom.
KEI 01 Specs & Capabilities: Under 50 hp, 600-lb payload, standard 4WD, 3-sided drop-down bed gates, and how it navigates US Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) 25 mph regulations.
Why Now & Target Markets: How Toyota plans to serve commercial fleets, municipalities, farmers, and off-roaders with U.S.-built, right-hand-drive trucks backed by a full Toyota dealer warranty.
Beyond the K-Truck: Updates on the wild Scion 01 side-by-side UTV concept from SEMA and the folding electric "extra-mile" pit bike tested by Chairman Akio Toyoda himself.
What do you think of the new direction for Scion? Would you daily a 25-mph kei truck around town or on your property? Let us know in the comments—Don and the Scion team are reading your feedback to help shape "Chapter Two"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
