Slate Auto

Slate Auto is an American electric vehicle manufacturer founded in 2022 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with a design studio in Long Beach, California. The company emerged from stealth mode in April 2025 after being incubated as a project called "Re:Car" within Re:Build Manufacturing, which was co-founded by former Amazon consumer CEO Jeff Wilke and Miles Arnone. Slate Auto has secured significant financial backing from prominent investors including Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter, and Thomas Tull, raising at least $111 million in a Series A funding round.

The company is led by CEO Chris Barman, a veteran with nearly 20 years of experience at Chrysler, and an executive team composed of seasoned professionals from companies like Harley-Davidson, General Motors, and Stellantis. Slate Auto's core business strategy is to address a gap in the EV market for affordable vehicles by producing a minimalist, highly customizable electric pickup truck. The business model is centered on a direct-to-consumer approach combined with a focus on post-purchase personalization, similar to the aftermarket ecosystems of Harley-Davidson and Mopar. Revenue will be generated from the sale of the base vehicle and a wide array of over 100 accessories and conversion kits.

Slate's flagship product is a two-seater electric pickup truck, marketed as a "blank slate" for owner customization. It features a deliberately simple design with manual crank windows and basic HVAC knobs, eschewing complex infotainment systems to reduce cost and increase reliability. The base model is expected to be priced under $27,500, potentially dropping below $20,000 with federal EV incentives. It comes with a standard 52.7 kWh battery pack offering an estimated 150-mile range, with an optional larger battery for up to 240 miles. A key selling point is its modularity; owners can purchase kits to transform the pickup into a five-seat SUV. The vehicles will be assembled at a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, with production aiming to commence in late 2026.

Keywords: electric vehicle manufacturer, affordable EV, customizable pickup truck, modular vehicle, EV startup, direct-to-consumer automotive, American-made EV, Chris Barman, Jeff Wilke, Re:Build Manufacturing, EV conversion kit, minimalist vehicle design, electric pickup, US auto manufacturing, Troy Michigan, Warsaw Indiana, vehicle personalization, Series A, automotive aftermarket