Meet the Bare-Bones $20,000 American Electric Pickup: Simple, Affordable, and Unadorned

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    <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1">Almost everyone agrees that new cars are becoming increasingly expensive. With tariffs impacting the auto industry and the Trump administration threatening to eliminate federal EV incentives, the outlook remains bleak, especially for those interested in electric vehicles. Transforming this costly landscape requires a bold move, and Slate Auto aims to deliver just that.</p>
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    <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">Introducing the Slate Truck, an electric vehicle priced under $20,000 (after federal incentives) set to enter production next year. Though it accommodates only two passengers, it features a bed spacious enough for a sheet of plywood. With a range of just 150 miles on a single charge, a color selection limited to gray, and no built-in stereo—music listening requires personal equipment like a phone and Bluetooth speaker—this vehicle epitomizes minimalism. Remarkably, reaching this stage took three years of development.</p>
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    <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">However, this venture is more than just affordable transportation. Slate positions its truck as an exemplar of minimalist design aimed at DIY enthusiasts, seeking not only to reduce costs but also to form a new vehicle category emphasizing personalization. This design ethos facilitates a cost-effective manufacturing approach that has attracted the attention of significant investors, rumored to include Jeff Bezos. Engineered and built in America, the question remains: will American consumers embrace such extreme simplification?</p>
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      <h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Simplify, Then Embrace Damage</h2>
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    <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">If you've seen the leaks and reports of oddly wrapped trucks surfacing, the Slate Truck is the debut offering from the Michigan-based Slate Auto. Think of it as an "American kei truck," a no-frills vehicle designed to prioritize affordability, customization, and simplicity—far removed from conventional design objectives, yet reflective of a fundamentally different design approach.</p>
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    <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">A stroll through any global automotive design studio typically reveals various mood boards, vibrant collages intended to inspire creativity. However, at Slate, the focus was distinct: a large, gray shark adorned with scars and scratches took center stage. This imagery symbolizes resilience rather than perfection.</p>
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    <p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1">"It resembles a shark that has survived multiple skirmishes and has come out ahead," notes Tisha Johnson, Slate's head of design and a veteran from Volvo. This aesthetic of showcasing battle scars encapsulates the brand's philosophy.</p>
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