A secretive electric vehicle startup widely reported to be backed by Jeff Bezos has revealed its first vehicle concept in an unconventional public display, just days before a highly anticipated Tesla Earning Call. The company, known as Slate, parked several prototype vehicles wrapped in bizarre liveries on a busy street in Venice, California, without accompanying information.
The reveal method deviates significantly from traditional automotive debuts which involve controlled environments, press releases, and official representatives. Instead, pedestrians encountered vehicles featuring surreal wraps, like one promoting a fictional "CryShare" service that drives babies to sleep.
This unusual tactic aligns with previous reports suggesting Slate aims to disrupt the EV market with an affordable vehicle targeting a price around $25,000, as detailed in a recent article by Tech Crunch.
Different body styles have been spotted in public or hinted at through cryptic reveals. Reports mention a pickup truck silhouette, a coupe-like SUV, and a boxier SUV. This variety suggests a focus on modularity or adaptability.
Sources familiar with the company's pitch to investors indicate the startup used a "Transformer" metaphor to describe its vehicle's potential for significant customization. They demonstrated this by rapidly altering a prototype's appearance during investor meetings.
The base model is reportedly referred to as the "Blank Slate" version, according to a trademark application filed by the company. This suggests the core vehicle could serve as a platform for owners to personalize. The company also trademarked the phrase "We Built It. You Make It."
Despite the public appearance and reports from journalists who observed the vehicles, details regarding the EV's powertrain, battery specifications, or interior design remain unknown. Observations of the publicly displayed vehicles suggest they were non-functional design bucks.
The strategic timing of this unique public tease, occurring just ahead of the Tesla Earning Call, could be an attempt to generate buzz and position Slate as a potential competitor in the more affordable EV segment that Tesla has discussed targeting.
A more formal reveal event is scheduled for April 24, where the company is expected to provide specifics about its vehicle and business model. According to David Tracy from theautopian.com who saw the vehicle, it is "unlike any new vehicle I’ve ever seen not just in my decade as a car journalist, but in my entire lifetime."
