In April 2025, Slate Auto broke cover after three years of clandestine operations in Troy, Michigan. The startup, financially supported by Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, unveiled plans for an electric pickup truck starting at $25,000. This move positioned Slate as an outlier in a U.S. EV sector plagued by bankruptcies and failed launches.
TechCrunch first reported Slate’s existence on April 8, 2025, following a year-long investigation. The company had been developing a deeply customizable truck, leveraging expertise from former Harley-Davidson and Chrysler employees to tap into accessories and aftermarket parts markets.
Two days later, a prototype appeared on Reddit’s r/whatisthiscar subreddit, confirmed by TechCrunch as Slate’s vehicle parked outside its Long Beach, California design center. By April 21, concept versions styled as SUVs or hatchbacks hit public streets, teasing “Transformer-like” modular capabilities ahead of the official launch.
On April 24, Slate debuted its customizable electric pickup at a Long Beach event, announcing a base price under $20,000 with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The stripped-down model offered 150 miles of range, lacking power windows, an infotainment screen, or paint, with promises for extensive customization including seat count and silhouette.
The next day, TechCrunch revealed Slate’s plan to produce trucks at a 1.4 million-square-foot former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, built in 1958 and dormant for two years. By May 12, the startup confirmed over 100,000 refundable $50 reservations, signaling broad interest despite its recent stealth status.
In July 2025, the Trump administration’s tax-cut bill set a September end-date for the federal EV tax credit, forcing Slate to remove “under $20,000” pricing from its website. Despite this, Slauson & Co., an early investor from Los Angeles, discussed its backing in Slate’s 2023 funding round and Series B, though most of the 16 investors remain unidentified.
On October 30, 2025, CEO Chris Barman appeared at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, detailing Bezos’ involvement, the challenges of building an automaker from scratch, and plans for a customization marketplace. By December 16, reservations crossed 150,000 for trucks and SUVs, indicating sustained demand even as U.S. EV growth cooled and competition dwindled at the low end.
In March 2026, Slate surprised the industry by appointing former Amazon Marketplace VP Peter Faricy as CEO, with Barman shifting to President of Vehicles. This change aimed to prepare for a late-2026 commercial launch, focusing on converting reservations into orders.
Slate Auto’s journey from stealth to prominence underscores a bold gamble in the EV market, blending affordability with customization amid regulatory shifts and executive reshuffles. With production slated for late 2026, the startup faces hurdles but has already demonstrated significant consumer traction.
