Bezos Bets Big: Slate Auto Quietly Raises $111M Series A To Build $25K EV Truck, Eyes 2026 Launch In Indianapolis

Jeff Bezos is quietly placing a big bet on the future of electric vehicles through a startup called Slate Auto, according to TechCrunch.

The secretive company has raised at least $111 million in a Series A round to fund the creation of a two-seat electric pickup truck priced around $25,000, according to a public filing.

How Slate Auto Quietly Got Its Start Inside Re:Build Manufacturing

Slate Auto launched in 2022 inside Re:Build Manufacturing, a company connected to Bezos' network. It has been flying under the radar, quietly hiring hundreds of employees, many of whom have worked at Ford F, General Motors GM, Stellantis STLA, and Harley-Davidson HOG. Slate has also attracted other marquee investors, including Mark Walter, controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Thomas Tull, an early investor in Re:Build Manufacturing, TechCrunch reported.

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The company's mission is ambitious. The anonymous sources cited by TechCrunch say Slate leaders often point to the Ford Model T and Volkswagen Beetle as inspiration, hoping to build a vehicle that could become a "first car" for many buyers.

Slate also aims to sell a line of accessories and apparel to go with the small margins of its low-cost truck, a strategy that will be familiar to Harley-Davidson and Jeep-maker Stellantis veterans, many of whom have now taken up residence in Slate's executive ranks.

Christine Barman, Slate's CEO, and a longtime Chrysler veteran, is leading the company with a steady hand. In an interview with Career Girls, Barman reflected on her career path, saying, "I love the fact that I can take something from a concept and see it all the way through to production and then see it on the road."

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The Big Money Behind Slate Auto's $111 Million Fundraise

Slate's Series A fundraising included investments from Bezos' family office, overseen by Melinda Lewison, who is listed as a director in company filings. According to TechCrunch, the company has authorized hundreds of millions of preferred and common shares, hinting at even larger funding rounds ahead. Although specific amounts invested by Bezos have not been disclosed, documents show his direct participation with other wealthy individuals.

Slate plans to start production as soon as late 2026 at a facility near Indianapolis, according to employment ads and an interview with Executive Chairman Rodney Copes. It remains unclear whether the company will build a new factory or repurpose an existing one.

The startup has also discreetly shown a proof-of-concept vehicle to investors at a rented design studio in Long Beach, California. With a marketing slogan already patented — "WE BUILT IT. YOU MAKE IT." — Slate points to an emphasis on customer personalization and aftermarket upgrades.

The timing is bold. The EV industry has cooled after years of explosive development, with many startups going bust and others hemorrhaging billions to stay alive. Instead of cloning Tesla's high-end-first model, Slate is inverting that script and aiming for the affordable market from the start.

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Slate Auto Is Tapping Into Amazon's Talent Playbook

Slate's DNA is intertwined with deep Amazon ties. In addition to Bezos' investment, the project is backed by former Amazon AMZN executives, such as Diego Piacentini, according to his site. Slate's e-commerce and digital teams are largely comprised of Amazon expats, and this only deepens the connection.

Instead of adopting the brashness typical of many buzzy EV start-ups, Slate is taking a more grounded approach. Re:Build Manufacturing's chief executive officer, Miles Arnone, is seen as Slate's founder. However, Slate is run by Barman, who has kept a low profile, focusing on developing a product that might silently disrupt the game.

Armed with deep pockets, top-tier automotive talent, and a different playbook, Slate Auto could be the stealth giant that revolutionizes the electric vehicle market.

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