Slate opens first showroom as $24,950 electric truck approaches production
The Chicago showroom, staffed by former Tesla employees, has reported strong interest and received $300 deposits ahead of production ramp-up.
What happened
Slate opened its first customer experience center in Chicago's Fulton Market District on October 15, occupying a former Tesla store. The showroom displays a hand-built prototype of the Slate Truck, a bare-bones electric pickup retailing at $24,950 with a projected 205-mile range, manual window cranks, plastic panels, and a minimalist interior. Customers can configure customization options, purchase merchandise, and place preorders with a $300 deposit. Manager Steve Purdy reported "incredible" response and deposits since opening, though no sales figures were disclosed. The company's assembly line in Warsaw, Indiana is still in prototyping runs and aims to begin production "soon."
Context
Slate's showroom model addresses a key friction point in vehicle sales—the traditional dealership process—by allowing direct configuration and ordering online with home delivery. The $24,950 price point positions the truck at the budget end of the EV market. The use of manual components (window cranks, minimalist controls) and plastic panels appears designed to reduce costs while maintaining functionality. The company's ability to attract foot traffic and deposits in its first weeks suggests market demand for an affordable, no-frills electric truck. However, the gap between hand-built prototypes and consistent mass-production quality remains a critical unknown: the company must achieve uniform panel gaps, door alignment, seals, and build consistency across its assembly line.