Latest news with #ChrisBarman
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Slate CEO says 5 types of car shoppers are interested in its low-cost EV pickup
Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman described five types of buyers interested in the company's low-cost electric truck. The demographic groups included fresh college graduates, newly-licensed drivers, and retirees, she told Sherwood News. The Jeff Bezos-backed company initially promised a truck "under $20,000," but shifted to a "mid-twenties" expected price tag. Slate Auto's new electric vehicle is expected to be unusually cheap, priced in the mid-twenty-thousand-dollar range. Given its anticipated price point, Slate says it has seen interest from five different consumer segments as it prepares to enter the market, CEO Chris Barman said in a recent interview with Sherwood News. First, Barman said that "everyday Americans" are interested in the vehicle, mostly because "it's just an affordable vehicle and a lot of utility and value for the money." Barman also said that "young professionals" fresh out of college or trade school are interested. "They're looking for value for the money, and what they love is the fact that it's an EV and they love the customization," she said. Electric vehicle ownership has long veered younger, according to a March Gallup poll, with 64% of 18-34-year-olds surveyed interested in owning an EV, compared to just 41% of those ages 55+. Barman is eyeing an especially young demographic: newly licensed drivers. "Parents like the fact that there are only two passengers, it doesn't have an infotainment for distraction, it has really high safety standards, and it's affordable," Barman told Sherwood. Among the older set, Barman points out that "contemporary seniors" are interested in the vehicle. " "They're individuals who are semiretired or retired and are interested in an electric vehicle, but have been intimidated by all the other technology that has been in an EV," she said. "They just want a simpler form of driving." Finally, auto junkies are interested in tricking the car out, the CEO added. Slate's electric pickup truck's "mid-twenties" price target remains relatively inexpensive, a feat especially important as the EV market floods with Chinese competitors outside of the US. The Jeff Bezos-backed EV producer originally said that its truck would be "under $20,000" after federal incentives. That price would have made the truck substantially cheaper than its EV competitors, like the Nissan Leaf, which starts at $28,140. When $50 reservations opened in April, the company reported receiving more than 100,000 requests in the first three weeks. President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is set to eliminate many of the country's clean energy incentives, including the $7,500 tax credit for new US-built EVs, which Slate had been counting on to hit the sub-$20,000 pricing threshold. After Trump's spending bill was signed into law on July 4, Slate Auto changed the expected price online from "under $20,000" to "mid-twenties," where it remains. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Slate CEO says 5 types of car shoppers are interested in its low-cost EV pickup
The electric vehicle owner demographic has centralized around some common traits. EV owners tend to be high earners and lean left politically. But Slate Auto's new electric vehicle is expected to be unusually cheap, priced in the " mid-twenties." Given its price, Slate says it has seen interest from five different consumer segments as it prepares to enter the market, CEO Chris Barman said in a recent interview with Sherwood News. First, Barman said that "everyday Americans" are interested in the vehicle, mostly because "it's just an affordable vehicle and a lot of utility and value for the money." Barman also said that "young professionals" fresh out of college or trade school are interested. "They're looking for value for the money, and what they love is the fact that it's an EV and they love the customization," she said. Electric vehicle ownership has long veered younger, according to a March Gallup poll, with 64% of 18-34-year-olds surveyed interested in owning an EV, compared to just 41% of those ages 55+. Barman is eyeing an especially young demographic: newly licensed drivers. "Parents like the fact that there are only two passengers, it doesn't have an infotainment for distraction, it has really high safety standards, and it's affordable," Barman told Sherwood. Among the older set, Barman points out that "contemporary seniors" are interested in the vehicle. " "They're individuals who are semiretired or retired and are interested in an electric vehicle, but have been intimidated by all the other technology that has been in an EV," she said. "They just want a simpler form of driving." Finally, auto junkies are interested in tricking the car out, the CEO added. Slate's electric pickup truck's "mid-twenties" price target remains relatively inexpensive, a feat especially important as the EV market floods with Chinese competitors outside of the US. The Jeff Bezos-backed EV producer originally said that its truck would be "under $20,000" after federal incentives. That price would have made the truck substantially cheaper than its EV competitors, like the Nissan Leaf, which starts at $28,140. When $50 reservations opened in April, the company reported receiving more than 100,000 requests in the first three weeks. President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," however, is set to eliminate many of the country's clean energy incentives, along with the $7,500 tax credit for new US-built EVs. After the spending bill was signed into law by Trump on July 4, Slate Auto changed the price online from "under $20,000" to "mid-twenties," where it remains.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Slate Confirms $700 Million in Funding, Bezos Investment
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Slate Auto, the startup electric vehicle manufacturer, today confirmed to Newsweek that the company closed on $700 million in Series B funding in late 2024. The funding comes from Bezos Expeditions, General Catalyst and TWG Global, among other investors though the amount each firm provided is unconfirmed. Bezos Expeditions is an American investment firm that manages Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's personal investment portfolio. General Catalyst, a venture capital firm, has a varied portfolio that also includes cosmetics company Beauty Pie, image software company Canva and online travel search tool Kayak, among others. TWG Global is a holding company that has other automotive industry investments, most notably Cadillac's Formula 1 team. A Slate vehicle wrapped in Newsweek camouflage, carrying stacks of Newsweek's World Greatest Auto Disruptors magazines in its bed. A Slate vehicle wrapped in Newsweek camouflage, carrying stacks of Newsweek's World Greatest Auto Disruptors magazines in its bed. Slate Slate aims to disrupt the automotive industry with a new vehicle and way of doing business that focuses on the necessary and gives buyers the power of choice at a budget-conscious price. It unveiled its first model, a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), to the world on April 26 in Long Beach, California. Though initially sold as a truck, the new Slate BEV can be transformed into an SUV through an accessories package. The unique truck is a two-seat pickup that will be sold in a single configuration - one bed size and one cab style. Simplicity is key to the design team's approach to the model; its windows crank and there are climate control knobs. There is no infotainment system nor a touchscreen. It wears steel wheels on each corner. Slate owners also have the option of wrapping their vehicle or having it wrapped by a pro. Customers can choose from three levels of wrap, which is designed to make the vehicle especially personal. The automaker will host SlateU tutorial videos on its website to instruct owners on how to enhance their model whether through accessory additions or wrapped elements. The American company will purchase American-made batteries for its electric truck and assemble the model in the U.S. Slate is led by CEO Chris Barman, Chairman Rod Copes, COO Jeremy Snyder and head of design, Tisha Johnson, among others. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bespoke EV-Maker Backed by Bezos To Take on Tesla
The EV race is about to get a brand new, low-cost entrant backed by Billionaire Jeff Bezos. It's called Slate and it offers a bespoke style of electric vehicle that starts as a blank-slate, two-seat pickup truck for about $25,000 before incentives. Each buyer can then add accessories, like side-stripes, stronger bumpers or infotainment screens, and you can even change that little truck into a five-seat SUV. Chris Barman, the CEO of Slate Auto, joined Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about its business model and how it hopes to take on EV giants like Tesla.
Bloomberg
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Bespoke EV-Maker Backed by Bezos To Take on Tesla
The EV race is about to get a brand new, low-cost entrant backed by Billionaire Jeff Bezos. It's called Slate and it offers a bespoke style of electric vehicle that starts as a blank-slate, two-seat pickup truck for about $25,000 before incentives. Each buyer can then add accessories, like side-stripes, stronger bumpers or infotainment screens, and you can even change that little truck into a five-seat SUV. Chris Barman, the CEO of Slate Auto, joined Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about its business model and how it hopes to take on EV giants like Tesla. (Source: Bloomberg)
