Small is beautiful again

Japanese mini cars are in, Musk’s cybertruck is outa here–

President Trump has called them “really cute” referring to minicars popular in Japan, but not generally sold here. Now that is changing with Toyota announcing a new right hand drive KEI – 01 model small truck to be introduced to the American market in 2027.The pickup truck is designed to go just 25mph.MSRP is $28,000.

Even as American take a new look at smaller vehicles again, the brash tank-like Cybertruck introduced by Tesla a few years is being sent out go pasture after lackluster sales.

As to the Toyota truck, Car and Driver says “Measuring just over 11 feet long and under five feet wide, the KEI-01 will be a tiny toter, but a few party tricks are said to add utility. Like many vintage kei trucks, Toyota designed the sides of its bed to fold flat, making loading easier. With all three cylinders of its 660cc engine pumping at full bore, Toyota says the Scion KEI-01 will top out at 25 mph—just fast enough to be road legal in the U.S. Selectable four-wheel drive comes standard for some low-octane off-roading.”

Regarding the Musk inspired Cybertruck, after an initial wave of hype in 2024, slowing demand led to thousands of unsold Cybertrucks in overflow storage lots across the United States. By 2025, inventory levels exceeded 10,000 units nationwide, representing roughly $800 million in unsold vehicles.Now the Texas factory that makes the vehicles will stop production.The large sharp-cornered truck never grew popular with the public with sales in 2026 just 11.500 say sources.