Slate Auto's First Rodeo: Customize Your Truck Even as an SUV and DIY Accessories You’ll Love
It’s Slate Auto’s first rodeo at the Fort Worth Stockyards and new on the car scene. This electric pickup is customizable and you can change it to match your style. Photo Credit: Elias Garcia
Slate Auto introduced their clutter-free and back to basics approach with the option to customize their version of a blank Slate. When I saw these trucks online with the Slate Maker where you can design your own, it made me feel like we’re bringing our video game dreams into reality.
Our cars are personal to us, but sometimes, the price tag leaves us with sticker shock. With pricing starting in the mid-twenties (plus taxes, fees, and accessories where applicable), Slate is bringing back affordability and giving us just what we need. It’s designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled in Indiana.
And if we’re getting affordable trucks and SUVs made in America before we get GTA6, and for people like me with a 3D printer, it gives me a spark of creativity for what else I can create and personalize this truck into any aesthetic I want.
Take a look at Slate’s first rodeo in Ft. Worth’s Stockyards and what we know so far.
Slate debuted its truck at the Fort Worth Stockyards during a rodeo. It was my first rodeo, too. Core memories were unlocked here. Photo Credit: Natalie Merola
A Memorable First Rodeo for Slate
A blank Slate shows off what it looks like without the custom wrap or kits added to it. Photo Credit: Natalie Merola
Is It A Truck or SUV? It’s Up to You for Personalization
Design to your heart’s content for your dream Slate. I selected the Squareback SUV Kit. Photo Credit: Screenshot of my design on Slate - Natalie Merola
It’s thrilling to see this electric pickup in person with two doors and endless possibilities for accessorizing. You can select from 5 different body styles:
Pickup Truck - 2-Seat Pickup (They all start out like this before you select a kit.)
Squareback SUV Kit - Seats 5 with classic SUV lines
Fastback SUV Kit - Seats 5 with a sporty silhouette
Open Air Kit - Seats 5 with no hard top or windows in the rear
Cargo Kit - Think the perfect pickup with cargo storage for your fleet or small business
I personally mocked up my own Squareback SUV to test out the various personalization.
You can select from a Starter Pack or Body Style and style it your way. I love that you can custom wrap it and commit to that look, or you can keep changing the wrap when you feel like updating the wrap on your own.
With a 3D printer, you can print to your heart’s content for a new grille and interior accessories like cupholders and “slatelets.” I can already imagine accessorizing with all the hot pink, glitter, and glitzy customizations via my 3D printer.
Yes, you heard that right. With after market and open source opportunities, you can literally add what you want and truly put your own mark on your Slate. I love this so much. It’s like driving the lego-meets Barbie-dream car- crossed with your childhood sticker book and blinked just to make sure it was real.
Now, we can drive off in a custom car, not break the budget, and bring back joy to the local drive around town or into the city.
Here’s What We Know So Far for Specs
🤑 Starts in the mid-twenties $$
🚗 Electric Range: projected 150 mi; a longer-range battery pack extends to a projected 240mi
🔋150 kWh motor (Single) - Rear-Wheel Drive
⚡Torque: 195 lb-ft
🐎 Horsepower: 201
⚡Charging:
Level 2 AC Charger - Adds 25-40 mi/hr of charge; Full charge in 4-8 hours
Level 3 DC Fast Charger - 20-80% charge in around 30 minutes
Connector - NACS with DC fast charging
🛻 Haul + Towing: 1,400 lb Payload and 1,000 lbs Towing Capacity
💺 Seating Capacity: Truck: Up to 2; SUV + Open Air Body Style Kits: Up to 5
💛 Color: Up to you! More will be announced in June
😍 Fave Feature: It has a frunk; more storage the better!
Slate is switching things up on the market even with your interior tech. If you’re looking for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, your setup will be different. There’s a phone mount to plug in and or you can opt to use your tablet.
For sound, you can bring your own Bluetooth speaker, or add on the accessory speakers. Keep in mind you might want to update your phone or tablet’s data plan to include a high speed hot spot or seek other connectivity options that may be the best fit for you.
For more, check out the ins and outs here.
The Slate is designed to achieve a 5-star USNCAP crash rating
Each Slate includes features such as:
Traction Control
Electronic Stability Control
Forward Collision Warning
Automatic Emergency Braking
2-stage Driver/Passenger Airbags
Full Length Side Curtain Airbags (Truck 2) (SUV 4)
Seat Side Airbags (2)
Remote Keyless Entry
Backup Camera
Pedestrian Identification
Auto High Beam
Source: Slate
How Much Will It Cost?
Official pricing and several key accessories will be announced in late June 2026, so be sure to test out the Slate Maker before reserving your spot. Once it is time to order, you can pick your battery and pre-installed accessories.
You can also buy, upgrade, and swap out new accessories even after you own your Slate. The styling is limitless, so get crazy and have fun with it. I can’t wait to envision the possibilities and bring one of my Slate Maker designs to life.
Up-close and personal with the blank Slate. Customize and change it any way you want it. Really. It’s exciting to envision the possibilities. Photo Credit: Natalie Merola
Style it your way
We’ll see which body style picks up the most with popularity, but for now, even my own household is torn between the pickup truck and square back SUV. Decisions, decisions…
In the meantime, will you reserve yours for $50? Until then, stay tuned for more info dropping in June 2026.