Jeff Bezos–backed EV startup Slate.Auto, led by former Fiat engineer, rethinks vehicle ownership

Slate.Auto –  GoDaddy customer –  (United States)

Innovators across industries are building the future on .xyz and XYZ Registry domains like .Auto, .Security, .Quest, and more. From artificial intelligence and automotive technology to creative platforms and cybersecurity solutions, individuals, startups, and global organizations are using next-generation domain endings to define their digital identities and share bold ideas with the world. Tech company DejaVu.Quest explores the intersection of AI, XR, and immersive reality Tech company Hi.Auto aims to innovate the fast food restaurant industry. Cybersecurity platform Astrix.Security strives to keep enterprise systems secure from cyber attacks and data breaches. Today, we’ll introduce you to an EV startup rethinking vehicle ownership with a customizable electric mini-truck: Slate.Auto.

Slate attracts 100,000 reservations with its electric mini-truck

Slate.Auto is the online home of Slate, an electric vehicle startup developing a customizable pickup truck designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind. The company offers one model: a two-door electric mini-truck called the Slate that can be personalized through a growing library of modular accessories. Starting as a basic pickup with a projected sub-$20,000 price after federal incentives (excluding taxes and fees), the Slate is designed to convert into various configurations, including a five-seat SUV or a cargo van, with parts that can be added or swapped over time. In April 2025, Slate opened reservations for $50 and quickly attracted 100,000 customers. The company says it has raised $700 million in funding, with backing from Bezos Expeditions (the investment firm of Jeff Bezos), General Catalyst, and TWG Global. ¹

Designed for change: Modular customization and low-cost production define the Slate

Designed in California and Michigan and assembled in the Midwest, the Slate is aimed at buyers looking for flexibility and affordability. The base vehicle includes air conditioning and heat but omits more costly features like paint, infotainment screens, and built-in speakers. Instead, buyers can personalize their truck through Slate’s accessory marketplace, which includes body kits, vinyl wraps, speaker mounts, electric windows, and extended battery options. ²The company plans to manufacture the truck in a 1.4-million-square-foot former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. ³With no need for a paint shop or metal stamping process, Slate aims to reduce traditional automotive production costs by using plastic exterior panels and modular assembly.

Led by seasoned auto veterans and backed by Jeff Bezos and top investors

Slate is led by CEO Chris Barman, a former engineering executive at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. At Fiat, Chris led development on projects including the Pacifica autonomous vehicle. She also held leadership roles at HCL Technologies and has degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue and Oakland University, as well as an MBA from the University of Michigan. Other leaders at the company bring experience from EV companies like Rivian. ⁴Slate also disclosed that one of its key financial backers is Jeff Bezos, through his investment firm Bezos Expeditions. 

Slate.Auto: A clear and focused identity in the evolving EV landscape

Slate.Auto is a direct and descriptive domain name that communicates the company’s industry and focus while aligning with its branding. The .Auto domain signals the startup’s place in the automotive sector and makes Slate’s web presence easy to remember. By choosing Slate.Auto, the company reinforces its goal of offering an alternative to traditional methods. The use of a .Auto domain places Slate firmly within the automotive space, helping the brand stand out in a crowded industry with a domain that is both relevant and easy to remember. It also enables consistent branding across digital channels, helping Slate establish a recognizable identity in a competitive and evolving market. As Slate introduces a new model for modular, user-personalized transportation, the clarity and relevance of its domain name supports its message of innovation within the automotive space. You can learn more by following the startup on X/Twitter @slateauto and LinkedIn @slateauto, and by visiting Slate.Auto.