Electric Truck Manufacturer Slate Kicks Off Fresh Start, Launches Hiring Spree for Affordable Electric Truck Production
Slate Auto, a Michigan-based startup, is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) market, having secured significant backing and ambitious plans for its innovative pickup truck. Led by CEO Christine Barman, a seasoned automotive executive with over two decades of experience at companies such as General Motors, Chrysler, and Fiat Chrysler, Slate Auto is expanding its workforce across various locations, including Troy, MI; Long Beach, CA; Seattle, WA; and New York, NY.
In April 2025, Slate Auto generated public interest with concept vehicles spotted on the streets and a formal launch event in Long Beach, California. The company has identified a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, as its planned production facility, a 1.4 million-square-foot site that has been dormant for about two years prior to Slate’s interest. While a definitive start date for mass production has not been announced, the timeline appears aggressive, with a launch event and factory site secured within weeks.
Slate’s electric pickup truck is designed for extreme customization, with "Transformer-like" modular capabilities. Buyers can specify not only traditional options like battery size but also the number of seats, overall vehicle silhouette, and even whether the truck has paint, alloy wheels, or custom wraps. The base model is deliberately minimalist, lacking power windows and a central infotainment screen, emphasizing a "no-frills," analog approach that contrasts sharply with tech-heavy rivals like Tesla.
Originally, Slate touted a sub-$20,000 starting price for its base model, contingent on the federal EV tax credit. However, with the recent elimination of that credit under new federal policy, the starting price has increased to the “mid-twenties.” Additional customization, larger battery packs, and accessories will further raise the cost.
Slate Auto has garnered attention due to its association with Jeff Bezos, whose family office, Bezos Expeditions, is linked to Slate. The company's plans for further capital infusion are indicated by the authorization of nearly 500 million preferred shares for a Series B round. Slate Auto's leadership remains sparse in the available sources, with Bezos being the most public face.
Slate Auto is hiring for various roles, including technical product managers to support software and systems development, engineers and manufacturers for vehicle prototyping, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, corrosion testing, assembly process design, and roles related to automation and electric vehicle serviceability. The company aims to commence production of its electric pickup truck by late 2026, targeting a manufacturing facility near Indianapolis, Indiana.
Slate Auto intends to disrupt the EV market by introducing a two-seat electric pickup truck priced around $25,000. The company has filed a trademark application for the phrase "WE BUILT IT. YOU MAKE IT," suggesting a modular or customizable product philosophy. For more updates, interested individuals can sign up for Slate Auto's newsletter on its website.
- With the recent investment from Jeff Bezos' family office, Bezos Expeditions, Slate Auto is planning toraise additional capital through a Series B round, indicating expansion in their financial landscape.
- Lifestyle choices will be at the forefront of Slate Auto's electric pickup truck, offering extreme customization options, from battery size to vehicle silhouette, catering to individual tastes and preferences.
- As Slate Auto prepares for the production of their electric pickup truck by late 2026, they are actively hiring across various technical and non-technical roles, focusing on software development, vehicle prototyping, quality assurance, and automation, in line with the company's business strategy and technology-driven approach.
