A Michigan-based startup backed by Jeff Bezos has unveiled an electric vehicle that quite literally changes its shape. Since its founding in 2022, Slate Auto has strategically tested a series of camouflaged prototypes across California, building anticipation ahead of its official product reveal at Long Beach Airport on April 24.
The company’s base model, dubbed the “Blank Slate,” is priced around $25,000. Slate encourages buyers to customize their vehicle with the tagline: “We Built It. You Make It.” Over the past weekend, automotive enthusiasts and journalists spotted multiple disguised versions of the vehicle in Venice and Long Beach, including a rugged two-door pickup and a hatchback-style SUV. One vehicle was branded with “Rockabye Rides,” which led to a countdown page for the upcoming Slate event.
According to TechCrunch, Slate pitched its vision to investors using a “Transformers”-style narrative. Their presentations included a dramatic demo of a generic truck seamlessly morphing into different configurations, showcasing the vehicle’s modular design. This bold concept helped the company raise over $100 million in funding and brought Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter onto its board.
Despite the buzz, Slate has kept all technical specifications and interior details tightly under wraps. Still, the vehicle left a lasting impression on veteran automotive journalist David Tracy, who called it “the most unique new vehicle” he has seen in his career.
Slate plans to unveil its full vision for the shape-shifting EV later this week, positioning itself as a game-changer in the electric vehicle market with an innovative, customizable design that lives up to its “Transformer” reputation—while remaining accessible and forward-looking.
