On April 9, Beijing time, TechCrunch, a renowned technology blog, revealed that Jeff Bezos, the visionary founder of Amazon, is secretly funding Slate Auto, an innovative electric vehicle startup headquartered in Michigan, USA. This startup is poised to commence production as early as next year. According to available documentation, Bezos' family office holds a stake in Slate. Slate, which has been nurtured by Re:Build Manufacturing—a company with ties to Bezos—has been operating under the radar since its inception in 2022. During this time, it has quietly assembled a team of hundreds of talented individuals from renowned automakers such as Ford and General Motors.

Slate's ambitious plan is to craft an affordable two-seater electric pickup truck priced at approximately $25,000. Drawing inspiration from iconic vehicles like the Ford Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle, Slate aims to make electric mobility accessible to a broader audience. The company has successfully completed its Series A funding round and has informed its employees that Series B funding has also been secured, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.

In addition to its core vehicle offerings, Slate is exploring additional revenue streams by venturing into the sale of accessories and apparel. To demonstrate its concept, Slate has already showcased a proof-of-concept vehicle to investors in Long Beach, California, signaling its readiness to disrupt the electric vehicle market with a unique and affordable product.