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Rife with Speculation
The buzz started with a photo uploaded to Reddit showing a two-door pickup, unmarked, being towed on a truck through the streets of Los Angeles. The vehicle boasts a boxy design reminiscent of a Land Rover or a compact Ford Bronco. During the towing process, the absence of engine noise suggested that it’s fully electric.
With no logos, no license plates, and no official comments, the mystery deepened. However, according to TechCrunch, this prototype is said to belong to Slate Auto, a still-under-the-radar automotive startup based in Michigan. Sources claim the truck was assembled to be showcased to investors at a design studio located in Long Beach.
A Well-Supported Start-Up
Slate Auto was reportedly established in 2022 following another industry project financed by Jeff Bezos called Re:Build Manufacturing. Since then, the startup has been moving forward quietly but steadily. It has acquired talent from Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and even Harley-Davidson. The team also includes several former Amazon employees, including Wei Gao, a former technical advisor to Bezos.
Leading the company is Christine Barman, who brings 20 years of experience from Chrysler. Unlike the high-profile leadership of someone like Elon Musk, the approach here appears more traditional and industrial, and evidently well-organized.
A $25,000 Pickup Truck, Really?
Slate Auto’s project is straightforward on paper: to offer a compact electric pickup at $25,000, featuring only two doors and two seats. The strategy involves minimizing costs, even if it means starting with a very basic model. Customers could then customize their vehicle over time with additional options and accessories.
This business model relies less on initial sales margins and more on later revenue from add-ons and services, similar to Harley-Davidson with its clothing line, or Jeep’s partnership with Mopar.
Announcement Scheduled for April 23
As of now, Slate Auto has not made any official announcements. However, the startup plans to reveal more details on April 23. It remains to be seen whether this will be a formal presentation of the vehicle or merely more tidbits to maintain the mystery. In the meantime, it’s uncertain if this pickup will indeed hit the roads by 2026… but at least, it’s clear that it exists, or at least, that it’s operational.