TROY, Mich. (WANE/AP) A low-cost direct to consumer electric vehicle manufacturer is eyeing a property in Warsaw to build its vehicles according to a published report.
An April 25 article in TechCrunch says Slate Auto is close to securing a deal to build its inexpensive small trucks at the former R.R. Donnelly facility on West Old Road 30 just west of downtown Warsaw. The facility has been vacant for several years and sits adjacent to railroad tracks. The article says the plant could employ up to 2,000 people.
While there’s been no confirmation yet about where Slate plans to build its vehicles, the company indicates the facility will be located in the Midwest.
Slate Auto, is a new Michigan-based electric vehicle (EV) startup backed by Jeff Bezos. Slate’s first product will be an electric pickup truck starting at $25,000, and potentially less than $20,000 with federal EV tax credits. CEO Chris Barman, a veteran of Fiat-Chrysler (FCA), believes Slate’s approach could fill a gaping hole left by both traditional automakers and electric disruptors.
Artist rendering of Slate EV.
Artist rendering of Slate EV.
The average price of an electric vehicle in the U.S. today is $59,000. Electric pickups can cost even more with the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T regularly topping $100,000 for higher-trim models.
Slate’s offering is a radical departure from this trend. Their base truck will come standard with 150 miles of range—more than enough for the vast majority of daily driving needs. No frills, no unnecessary tech add-ons that drive the price sky-high. Just basic, reliable transportation in an electric package. If Slate can pull this off, it will achieve what no other EV company has managed so far.
Slate’s focus is on simplicity and modularity. Their base truck is designed to be what they call a “blank slate,” a bare-bones vehicle that gives buyers the freedom to add features as needed, based on their budget and requirements.
Since Slate plans to sell vehicles directly to consumers—bypassing traditional dealership networks—it doesn’t have to sustain a web of service departments. That frees Slate to encourage DIY upgrades in a way no other major automaker would dare. Slate is launching “Slate University,” an online series of instructional videos that will walk owners through everything from installing power windows to adding rear seats and airbags for the SUV conversion.
For those less inclined to DIY, Slate also plans to partner with local facilities that can perform upgrades professionally, creating a hybrid model of service that supports different kinds of buyers.
Slate plans to begin customer deliveries at the end of 2026. Reservations are now open, requiring a refundable deposit of just $50.
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