Slate Auto aims to disrupt the EV market by introducing a two-seat electric pickup truck priced around $25,000. This initiative seeks to make electric vehicles more accessible to a broader consumer base, drawing inspiration from historically affordable and practical vehicles like the Ford Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle.
The startup has garnered attention due to its association with Jeff Bezos, whose family office, Bezos Expeditions, is linked to Slate through Re:Build Manufacturing—a company also connected to Bezos. Slate’s leadership comprises industry veterans from established automotive companies such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and Harley-Davidson, bringing a wealth of experience to the venture
In 2023, Slate Auto secured at least $111 million in a Series A funding round, with participation from prominent investors including Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Thomas Tull, a lead investor in Re:Build Manufacturing. The company has also authorized nearly 500 million preferred shares for a Series B round, indicating plans for further capital infusion.
Slate intends to commence production of its electric pickup truck by late 2026, targeting a manufacturing facility near Indianapolis, Indiana. The company is exploring options to either acquire an existing plant or construct a new one, as indicated by job listings and state lobbying records.
Slate’s entry into the EV sector comes at a time when the industry faces significant challenges. The rapid growth experienced in previous years has slowed, and several EV startups have encountered financial difficulties. However, Slate’s focus on affordability and practicality positions it uniquely to address a segment of the market that remains underserved.
Slate Auto is led by CEO Christine Barman, a seasoned automotive executive whose career began with an internship at General Motors following her studies at Purdue University. A veteran of Chrysler, Barman spent over two decades at the company, where she oversaw major vehicle line programs for models including the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Jeep Cherokee, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She later rose to become vice president of electrical and electronics at Fiat Chrysler, where she spearheaded the automaker’s integration of Android Automotive and contributed to its early collaboration with Waymo. Barman departed the company in 2017.
Unlike many of her peers leading electric vehicle startups, Barman has maintained a notably low public profile in recent years. Instead of cultivating a presence online, she has spent much of the past decade advising companies on emerging technologies and teaching engineering. She became involved with the EV initiative that would become Slate Auto in 2022, when it was still in its early stages within Re:Build Manufacturing.
As Slate Auto progresses towards its production goals, its approach will be closely watched by industry observers and consumers alike, eager to see if the company can deliver on its promise of affordable electric mobility.
As of April 2025, Slate Auto—a Jeff Bezos-backed electric vehicle startup headquartered in Troy, Michigan—is actively recruiting for a diverse array of roles across engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and operations. The company is expanding its workforce in key locations including Troy, MI; Long Beach, CA; Seattle, WA; and New York, NY.
Slate Auto is actively hiring across a wide range of departments as it scales its operations. In engineering and manufacturing, the company is focused on vehicle prototyping, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, corrosion testing, and assembly process design, as well as specialized roles related to automation and electric vehicle serviceability.
On the customer-facing side, Slate is building out its sales and service infrastructure with positions in inside sales, fulfillment logistics, and collision repair strategy.
The company is also investing in brand development through roles in social media management, content creation, visual production, and event marketing.
In product and digital, Slate is seeking technical product managers to support its software and systems development.
Corporate and operational functions are being strengthened through new hires in finance, procurement, human resources, and plant-level leadership.
In late March, Slate Auto filed a trademark application for the phrase “WE BUILT IT. YOU MAKE IT.” — a slogan suggestive of a modular or customizable product philosophy. The filing covers a sweeping range of potential goods and services, from vehicle components like switches, speakers, and USB ports to unexpected items such as pet harnesses, hinting at the company’s expansive ambitions and flexible design ethos.
Slate Auto plans to introduce its truck with an accessible base price of roughly $25,000, while allowing owners the flexibility to customize and upgrade their vehicles over time as their budgets permit.
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