Princeton, Indiana – Toyota is expanding its Princeton manufacturing complex with a $34 million investment to launch a new Scion by Toyota model, the KEI‑01 ultra‑compact utility truck. The plant will begin production in the second half of 2027, and the expansion is expected to create roughly 50 new jobs for local workers.
What the KEI‑01 brings
The KEI‑01 is a niche, low‑volume vehicle designed for fleet customers. It is powered by a 660 cc three‑cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission and features four‑wheel drive. Toyota describes the model as an “ultra‑compact utility truck” aimed at businesses that need a small, efficient work vehicle.
Scion by Toyota’s broader vision
Company officials are branding the new line as a “freedom lab” built around bold ideas, curiosity and possibility. The Scion by Toyota brand revives the experimental spirit of the original Scion nameplate, offering three distinct concepts: the KEI‑01, the SxS and the BKE. All three are intended to showcase different pathways for future mobility.
“The future of mobility will not be defined by one vehicle, one technology or one way of thinking,” said Simon Humphries, Chief Branding Officer and Head of Design for Toyota Motor Corporation. “Scion by Toyota gives us a place to challenge conventional thinking, explore new possibilities and create mobility in new ways. The KEI‑01, SxS and BKE concepts each represent a different possibility—and together, they show what can happen when curiosity leads the way.”
Local economic impact
The Princeton plant’s new investment will add approximately 50 positions, bolstering the local labor market. Toyota plans to staff the KEI‑01 production line primarily through a fleet‑focused pilot program, with initial sales directed to selected Scion by Toyota dealers drawn from the existing Toyota dealer network. While the launch is fleet‑centric, Toyota has indicated that limited retail sales could be considered later, potentially expanding the vehicle’s reach to individual consumers.
Two additional Scion by Toyota models – the SxS and the BKE – will be assembled at other Toyota facilities, further extending the brand’s footprint across the company’s manufacturing system.
Community response
Local leaders and business groups have welcomed the announcement, noting the added jobs and the continued presence of a major automotive employer in the region. The investment aligns with Princeton’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain manufacturing jobs that support families and sustain the community’s economic vitality.
Toyota’s decision to expand in Princeton underscores the company’s confidence in the Midwest’s skilled workforce and the strategic importance of Indiana’s automotive corridor.
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
