Exterior Accessories Manager - Engineering

Slate Auto opens first Experience Center in Chicago for electric truck debut. Slate Auto, the Jeff Bezos-backed electric truck startup, has launched its first physical experience center in Chicago's Near West Side. The new location gives Midwest fleet buyers and automotive journalists their first in-person look at Slate's compact electric pickup, which starts at $24,950 (~AUD 35,749) and offers 205 miles (~330 km) of range. The move marks a significant step for Slate as it seeks to establish a presence in the growing urban EV market. Slate's Chicago Experience Center. The new Slate Auto experience center is located in the renovated former Tesla store on Grand Avenue in Chicago. The facility was already equipped for NACS EV charging, making it a practical choice for Slate's first brick-and-mortar location. The space includes a showroom, garage, and retail area, all designed to help potential customers get hands-on with the Slate electric truck. Visitors to the center can interact with the vehicle's features, including robust door handles, a solid steering wheel, manual seat adjusters, and a sturdy center console. According to Electrek, these tactile elements give the truck a quality feel, despite its affordable price point. First impressions and features. During a test ride, Electrek reported that the Slate electric truck delivered a quiet and smooth experience on Chicago's challenging roads, with no noticeable squeaks or rattles. The ride was described as comfortable and sufficiently quick from the passenger seat. Slate Auto's approach to using common fasteners throughout the vehicle was also highlighted, suggesting a focus on simplicity and ease of maintenance. The company plans to offer a high roof cargo version of its compact pickup, expanding its appeal to commercial and fleet buyers. Competitor comparison. Slate Auto's electric truck enters a market with few direct rivals at its price point. The Telo MT1, a fully electric compact pickup, is priced at $41,000 (~AUD 58,745), making it significantly more expensive than the Slate. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Bolt, starting at $28,995 (~AUD 41,544), is one of the most affordable EVs available but is a subcompact SUV/hatchback rather than a pickup. This positions Slate's truck as a unique offering for buyers seeking an affordable electric utility vehicle. Historical context and regional availability. The opening of the Chicago experience center marks Slate Auto's first major step into the public eye. Illinois, known for its strong truck culture and increasing interest in EVs, provides a strategic location for Slate's debut. The renovated facility's previous use as a Tesla store underscores the region's established interest in electric vehicles. Slate's presence in Chicago is currently focused on fleet buyers and local customers, with no mention yet of broader national availability. Why this matters. Slate Auto's entry into the market with a sub-$25,000 (~AUD 35,820) electric pickup could reshape expectations for affordable EVs in the United States. By opening a dedicated experience center, Slate is making it easier for potential buyers to interact with and evaluate its vehicle in person. The move also highlights the growing demand for electric trucks in urban centers and the importance of hands-on experiences for consumers considering a switch to electric vehicles. What this means for buyers. For buyers in the Chicago area, the new Slate experience center offers a rare opportunity to see and experience an affordable electric pickup firsthand. Those interested in electric utility vehicles now have a new option to consider, especially if price is a key factor. Potential buyers should compare the Slate truck with alternatives like the Telo MT1 and Chevrolet Bolt, keeping in mind the differences in format, price, and intended use. As Slate expands, watch for updates on regional availability and additional model variants. Key specs. * Starting Price: $24,950 (~AUD 35,749) * Range: 205 miles (~330 km) * Experience Center Location: Chicago, Near West Side * Charging Standard: NACS * High Roof Cargo Version: Planned Sharing is caring. Hussain A. EV news writer and editorial/video team lead at The Electric Viking. Researches EV-only stories, publishes news articles, and edits the YouTube videos behind the channel's daily coverage. Viking merchandise. T-shirts, mugs, hoodies, bags Advertisements Never miss an update!!! Want expert advice on electric vehicles, battery tech, solar energy, or the future of emerging technologies? You can now book a 1-on-1 consultation with Sam Evans - The Electric Viking.

After owning EV trucks and customized lifted pickups, Slate's latest move highlights a side of truck culture many EVs still miss. Slate's latest customization partnership may seem like simple marketing, but after owning EV trucks, modified cars, and lifted pickups, I think it highlights a challenge many automakers still face: building truck culture, not just technology. Advertising October 2, 2026 - 7:58PM EDT Slate just launched two new accessory Starter Packs that allow owners to add themed graphics, dash badges, key fob caps, and other appearance upgrades to their Slate truck. According to Slate's announcement, reservation holders can add these appearance packages through the Slate Marketplace before delivery. At first glance, this looks like a typical accessories announcement. The news includes no new battery breakthroughs, charging improvements, or capability upgrades. But after owning lifted trucks, customized cars, EVs with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, and attending Slate's recent test drive event, I think the announcement highlights something that often gets overlooked in conversations about electric vehicles. Customization matters. My Automotive Interests Have Always Included Personalization I've never owned many completely stock vehicles. Over the years, I've owned multiple lifted Ford Rangers, each modified to match how I wanted the truck to look and drive. Later came an SVT-inspired Ford Focus that received appearance and performance-inspired upgrades. Even my Chevrolet Bolt, a vehicle most people wouldn't associate with customization, eventually received exterior enhancements that helped separate it from every other Bolt on the road. More recently, I've owned both a Ford F-150 Lightning and a Rivian R1T, while continuing to drive a Chevrolet Bolt with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer. Looking back, the vehicles I've kept the longest weren't necessarily the fastest, most expensive, or even the most capable. They were the ones I developed a connection with. Sometimes that meant installing a lift kit. Sometimes it meant adding appearance upgrades. Sometimes it simply meant making the vehicle feel different from every other example on the road. That's one reason this announcement resonated with me more than a typical accessories story. One Thing the Rivian R1T Never Quite Delivered While I genuinely enjoyed my time with the Rivian R1T, one of my recurring frustrations was that it felt difficult to personalize compared to many traditional trucks. Rivian delivered an exceptionally polished product, but it also felt largely finished from day one. There wasn't the same sense that the vehicle was inviting owners to modify it, customize it, or put their own stamp on it. That isn't necessarily a flaw, but it is a different philosophy from the one that built much of truck enthusiast culture over the past several decades. Traditional truck owners often view a truck as a starting point rather than a finished product. That's one reason Slate's approach immediately caught my attention. Advertising What Stood Out at Slate's Test Drive Event When I attended Slate's test drive event, I found myself thinking back to my old Rangers. Not because the vehicles were similar mechanically, but because Slate seemed to embrace the same owner involvement that drew me to those trucks years ago. The company spent considerable time discussing wraps, accessories, appearance packages, lift kits, lowering kits, and future personalization options. Instead of presenting the truck as a finished product that shouldn't be altered, Slate often framed it as a platform owners could adapt to their own tastes. That stood out because most EV launches focus almost exclusively on range, charging speeds, battery capacity, and acceleration. Slate spent just as much time discussing ownership. What Long-Term EV Ownership Taught Me After years of driving EVs, I've noticed that technology eventually fades into the background. My F-150 Lightning has helped haul materials, support home projects, tackle road trips, and handle everyday truck duties. Its Bolt has passed 100,000 miles. Charging has become routine. Range has become predictable. Eventually, the technology stops being the story. Once that happens, other factors begin to matter more. Owners start paying attention to how the vehicle fits into their lifestyle, hobbies, and interests. That's something truck enthusiasts have understood for decades. More Than an Accessories Announcement The newly announced Starter Packs are easy to dismiss as cosmetic upgrades. I think that misses the larger point. What's interesting isn't the individual decals or badges. It's the fact that Slate continues to build customization into its ownership experience from the beginning. Advertising The company appears to recognize that many enthusiasts enjoy modifying vehicles regardless of whether they're driving a pickup, a hatchback, a sports car, or an EV. If you've ever installed aftermarket wheels, added a lift kit, ordered a graphics package, or spent a weekend modifying a vehicle in your driveway, you'll probably understand why this strategy caught my attention. Why I Think This Matters After spending years around modified trucks, customized cars, and EVs, I've come to appreciate that the vehicles that leave the strongest impression aren't always the ones with the best specifications. They're often the vehicles owners feel connected to. My old lifted Rangers weren't the fastest vehicles I've owned. My Chevrolet Bolt certainly wasn't the most powerful. Yet those vehicles stand out in my memory because I invested time into making them my own. The process of personalizing them became part of the ownership experience. That's why I think Slate's focus on customization deserves more attention than a typical accessories announcement. As EV technology continues to mature, range, charging speeds, and battery performance will become increasingly comparable across brands. When that happens, manufacturers will need additional ways to stand out. One way is through owner engagement. Another is by giving people a vehicle they can shape, modify, and personalize over time. After attending Slate's test drive event, I came away with the impression that the company understands something many automakers overlook: for a lot of enthusiasts, ownership doesn't start when the vehicle leaves the dealership. That's when the fun begins. Whether Slate ultimately succeeds remains to be seen. But as someone who values customization, I can understand why the idea resonates. For many enthusiasts, customization isn't separate from ownership; It's part of the ownership experience itself. What do you think? Are modern EVs becoming too "finished" from the factory, or do you prefer a vehicle that can be personalized and modified over time? Have you customized any of your vehicles, whether electric or gas-powered? Let Torque News know in the comments below. Blake Lowry is a tech forward automotive enthusiast with a background in software development and animation working with clients such as Car & Driver, Hot Wheels, Google, Microsoft and the History Channel where he contributed on various interactive experiences. Blake's automotive passion is centered around electric cars and trucks, alternative/green energy and practical applications in the real world. At Torque News, Blake's articles focus on Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Slate Truck and GMC Hummer EV Pickup coverage. You can also follow Blake here: Advertising Follow Torque News today...

Kosciusko County hosts job fair as Slate Auto builds workforce of up to 2,000 employees. Posted: Oct 1, 2026 6:46 PM EDT NOW: Kosciusko County hosts job fair as Slate Auto builds workforce of up to 2,000 employees. 'I feel powerless': How South Bend's top-ranked housing... WARSAW, Ind. - Hire Kosciusko hosted its biannual job fair on Oct. 1 in Warsaw. Over 14 employers and three career resource organizations were in attendance, where they expected to see more than 100 people apply for jobs. One company, in particular, is looking for new employees. Slate Auto, a new electric car manufacturing company, is looking to grow its workforce by adding 2,000 employees, they tell ABC57. The company offers customizable electric vehicles, with an emphasis on simplicity and affordability. "The industry has become so expensive that all the vehicles now are coming out with all the bells and whistles and extra items," Slate Auto HR Administrative Assistant Angelica Perales says. "So, the goal is to keep it as simple as possible." The company says its vehicles start at $24,950. Right now, Slate Auto is hiring for more than 100 positions, including jobs in labor, assembly, and quality engineering roles. Perales says the company posted additional jobs solely for applicants at the job fair. The manufacturing company is set up in Warsaw, and Perales says the company is growing quickly. "Don't give up. Keep looking," she says when referencing the difficulties applicants have faced when applying to any job" "I know it's a really lull time and downtime in America, but I'm excited that we're a startup, and we're eagerly hiring. We have opportunities, and the candidate pool has been really nice."