Electric Vehicle Startup Slate Auto to Occupy Former Printing Plant
Slate Auto, a startup electric vehicle manufacturer backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is reportedly set to occupy the former R.R. Donnelley printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. The company plans to employ approximately 2,000 people at the 1.4 million-square-foot facility, which was previously occupied by LSC Printing Solutions until 2023.
Slate Auto aims to manufacture a basic electric pickup truck with a 150-mile range, priced around $20,000, including the $7,500 federal tax credit. The company anticipates making its first deliveries by the end of 2026. At its base price, the rear-wheel drive pickup will be stripped down, but customers will have the option to add various features.
The company was founded on the principle of simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating unnecessary features to reduce costs and enhance reliability. According to Slate CEO Chris Barman, “The definition of what’s affordable is broken.” Barman further explained that Slate exists to empower customers who have been overlooked by the automotive industry, offering a highly customizable truck platform that can transform from a two-seat pickup to a six-seat SUV.
Slate’s innovative approach to vehicle manufacturing and customization is set to disrupt the traditional automotive industry. With its focus on affordability and customer choice, the company is poised to make a significant impact in the electric vehicle market.
