Earlier this week, TechCrunch reported that Jeff Bezos is backing a “secretive EV startup” referred to as Slate Auto that intends to launch a $25,000 single-cab electrical truck in late 2026. The corporate’s LinkedIn says it’s primarily based in Troy, Michigan.
Then, the following day, a photograph appeared on Reddit of an unidentifiable small truck in Los Angeles, first reported by Carscoops. The outlet famous that the “absence of a grille opening on the entrance suggests [it’s] electrical, bolstered by what seems to be a charging port close to the rear nook. A fast picture search does not match it to something at the moment in the marketplace, although admittedly, that is removed from definitive.”
One commenter cited TechCrunch‘s report and famous some Rivian-looking similarities.
“No photographs but, however utilizing the EV supply car designed by Rivian for Amazon for example, it follows the very clean-&-simple aesthetic – spherical headlights, metal wheels, plastic cladding, upright B-pillar,” the commenter wrote. “Not saying they give the impression of being the identical, or like they share a platform, but when the identical design staff was used for each, it might make sense that they could share some obscure aesthetic parts.”
Associated: Rivian Announces New Electric Vehicles That Will Cost a Lot Less — and Are ‘Bursting With Personality’
Then, on Thursday, TechCrunch confirmed that the truck within the Reddit picture is the precise Slate Auto idea automotive, in accordance with “an individual with direct data of Slate Auto’s car design, who spoke on the situation of anonymity.”
TechCrunch, which experiences that the manufacturing facility with be “someplace close to Indianapolis, Indiana,” spoke to “a number of sources” and examined in depth paperwork and filings, together with job listings, state lobbying information, and past interviews.
The supply mentioned it’s possible an idea car to indicate to buyers. The design studio is reportedly in Lengthy Seaside, California.
Extra information is predicted on April 23, per CarScoops.
