Slate, a new car startup, is making waves with reports surfacing from TechCrunch and Newsweek about their work on an affordable electric vehicle (EV). Before any official announcement, the company decided to showcase their new SUV on the streets of Venice, California, where it was spotted by The Autopian.
The vehicle, a boxy two-door SUV wrapped in a quirky design, has caught the attention of many automotive enthusiasts. Images published by Newsweek show a resemblance between the vehicle seen on the streets and the shadowy camouflaged images of Slate’s vehicle. Features like the round headlights, black plastic grille, and the shape of the charging port door indicate a clear connection.
On further investigation, the website advertised on the side of the SUV, supposedly for a company called RockabyeRides, reveals the word “SLATE” and a countdown timer set for three days from now. Additionally, a TikTok video featuring a similar vehicle wrapped in a theme related to a fake cat therapy business, CatThurrrapy.com, also showcases the Slate branding and countdown clock.
This unconventional marketing strategy hints at an upcoming official reveal scheduled for April 24. However, it is worth noting that the vehicle appears to be a non-functional show car, as no powertrain or proper suspension components were found by The Autopian’s David Tracy during his inspection.
According to reports from TechCrunch and Newsweek, Slate is said to be backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and has recruited hundreds of auto industry veterans to work on a two-seat pickup truck priced around $25,000. The company’s goal is to introduce an affordable compact electric vehicle, aiming to outpace Tesla in this segment.
The EV industry has long been dominated by high-priced luxury cars, making Slate’s entry into the market a refreshing change. With more details expected to emerge in the coming days, the automotive world is eagerly anticipating Slate’s official unveiling. For any tips or information related to the EV world, you can reach out to the author at Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com.
In conclusion, Slate’s mysterious appearance on the streets of California has sparked curiosity and excitement in the automotive community. Stay tuned for more updates on this new and promising player in the EV market.