Bezos-backed Slate Auto reveals affordable, customizable EV truck

Slate Auto, an EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos and Mark Walter, has emerged from stealth mode with plans to produce an ultra-cheap, customizable electric pickup truck. The company aims to offer a base model for under $20,000, significantly undercutting competitors and targeting a market segment seeking affordability and personalization. Leveraging expertise from former employees of automotive giants like Harley-Davidson and Chrysler, Slate Auto emphasizes modular design, allowing for extensive customization of features and even the vehicle's silhouette. Despite facing industry challenges, the startup has garnered significant interest, surpassing 100,000 refundable reservations within two weeks of its announcement and identifying a former printing plant in Indiana for its production facility.