Jeff Bezos backs Slate Auto's job-creating electric truck initiative
- Slate Auto is taking over an old printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana to build its electric trucks.
- The vehicle will be sold as a customizable product with basic features at a starting price of $20,000.
- The initiative is aimed at meeting consumer demand for flexible and affordable vehicles, creating 2,000 local jobs in the process.
In a significant move for the electric vehicle market, Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos, has announced its plans to manufacture no-frills electric pick-up trucks in a historic printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, which closed in 2023. This facility's conversion is expected to generate approximately 2,000 jobs, contributing to the local economy. The company's trucks are being marketed as customizable vehicles, offering minimal features at a low base price. Initially, the price was set at $20,000 post federal EV incentives, but recent policy changes under the Trump administration have likely increased costs by approximately $7,500. One of the main selling points of the vehicle is its modularity, as it can be transformed into different models, including an SUV, depending on customer needs. Slate Auto's strategy aligns with a growing demand among consumers, particularly younger generations, for vehicles that are straightforward, practical, and adaptable to their lifestyle, which contrasts sharply with the trend of over-engineered automotives that dominate the market. As the automotive industry faces rising costs due to tariffs and economic pressures, Slate's approach could offer an appealing alternative to potential buyers who find traditional vehicles unaffordable.