A little-known electric vehicle startup in Michigan, Slate Auto, is quietly making waves — and it’s being secretly funded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Founded in 2022 under the radar, Slate Auto emerged from Re:Build Manufacturing, a company co-founded by ex-Amazon Consumer CEO Jeff Wilke. The EV venture has already drawn in top-tier auto talent from Ford, General Motors, Harley-Davidson, and Stellantis, assembling an all-star team while maintaining an unusually stealthy profile.
Slate’s ambitious mission? To build a compact, two-seater electric pickup truck with a price tag around $25,000 — a bold counterpoint to the premium-first strategy adopted by most EV upstarts. According to insiders, the inspiration for the project draws from iconic mass-market vehicles like the Ford Model T and Volkswagen Beetle: affordable, durable, and designed for the everyday driver.
Documents reviewed from the Delaware Division of Corporations confirm Bezos’ involvement through his family office, with Melinda Lewison, who oversees his investments, listed as a company director. Slate raised at least $111 million in a 2023 Series A round and reportedly closed a Series B at the end of last year. High-profile investors Mark Walter (owner of the LA Dodgers) and Thomas Tull (early backer of Re:Build) also joined the board, signaling their participation in the Series B raise.
Production of the affordable EV is targeted for late 2026, with plans to manufacture near Indianapolis, Indiana. While Slate hasn’t clarified whether it will repurpose an existing plant or construct a new one, job postings and lobbying records hint at a large-scale facility in the works.
Despite the industry-wide slowdown in EV growth and the collapse of numerous startups, Slate is forging ahead — not just with vehicles, but with an entire ecosystem. The company plans to generate additional revenue through custom accessories, lifestyle gear, and apparel, echoing strategies used by Harley-Davidson and Jeep-maker Stellantis.
Trademark filings also suggest a customer-first, modular mindset. In March, Slate filed to trademark the phrase: “WE BUILT IT. YOU MAKE IT.” A concept called “Slate University” will reportedly teach customers how to personalize, upgrade, and repair their vehicles, with open-source educational content to enhance ownership and extend product lifecycles.
Slate’s executive team is stacked with automotive veterans. CEO Christine Barman, formerly of Chrysler and Fiat Chrysler, brings decades of experience in vehicle engineering, Android Automotive integration, and autonomous tech via the company’s collaboration with Waymo. Executive Chairman Rodney Copes and CFO Ryan Green, both Harley-Davidson and Rivian alumni, are also steering the startup.
Interestingly, unlike most buzzy EV startups, Slate doesn’t have a charismatic founder-CEO at the helm. Instead, the operation is led quietly and pragmatically, with Wilke’s Re:Build Manufacturing incubating the project and Barman running the day-to-day.
Slate Auto may be Bezos’ boldest play in the EV space yet. While he hasn’t appeared publicly at Slate offices in Michigan or California, the startup is brimming with Amazon DNA — from ex-Amazon execs now at Re:Build to the “re:” branding reminiscent of events like AWS re:Invent. Former Amazon VP Diego Piacentini is also involved as a backer.
With deep pockets, quiet influence, and a disruptive strategy, Slate may not just be another EV startup — it could be the next affordable icon of electric mobility.
