Slate Truck Rolls Out

The Slate Truck Emerges

Sneaking out from behind the curtain of startup obscurity, the Slate truck has captured the gaze of the automotive world. In a bid to bring some manufacturing mojo back to the U.S., Slate has announced plans to produce its vehicles in a former printing facility in Warsaw, Indiana. Known locally as the old LSC Communications building, this facility got its final ink stain in 2023, letting go of around 500 workers.

Slate is planning on leasing this 1.4 million-square-foot behemoth, though they’re keeping mum about what they’re paying. Notably, the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) mentioned to News Now Warsaw that Slate has inked a deal with incentives that’ll inject up to 2,000 jobs into the local economy. Not bad for a place that’s seen better days.

DIY Approach

Slate’s taking a novel route by offering their rides in the most basic, no frills package imaginable. We’re talking about a no-radio, no-cup-holder kind of base model, where buyers customize from there. Think over a hundred add-on options. In fact, even pre-packaged designs can still be modified, so it’s kind of like tweaking a digital playlist until it feels just right.

The Slate truck’s design might remind some folks of the old Chevy LUV trucks from back in the day: no nonsense, single-cab pickups that didn’t try to be anything more than what they were. With a projected range of 240 miles—nothing too fancy—Slate seems to aim at those who appreciate the simplicity of a bygone era, upgraded with a modern electric twist. With plans to start production next year in their Indiana plant, they’re aiming to eventually crank out 150,000 trucks annually. Let’s see if they can keep that momentum going.

Riding the EV Wave

Slate’s strategy isn’t birthed out of thin air. Big names like Hyundai have been tapping into modular facilities and electrified lineups, which probably why Slate’s actions appear pretty savvy rather than starkly original. Rivian and Tesla have made similar moves; Rivian’s repurposing of an old Mitsubishi plant in Illinois and Tesla’s use of a former GM and Toyota collaboration in California are prime examples of this trend.

Simply put, Slate’s piggybacking on the experience of giants to give itself a running start. And why not? If the model works, might as well adopt it, skinny profits and all.

Kernel of Ambition

Should Slate’s dream of rolling out 150,000 of these trucks a year come true, their facility in Warsaw might just feel a tad cramped. However, the appeal of a budget-friendly EV boasting a practical range has a way of whetting consumer appetite. More folks are longing for no-nonsense electric vehicles that won’t break the bank, and Slate’s putting it all on the line to cater to that demand.

For anyone keen on simplicity with a dollop of sustainability, Slate might just have something worthwhile to offer on a platter otherwise dominated by tech-heavy, feature-laden contenders.