Q&A with CEO Chris Barman (Dec 16, 2025). Slateforums gets a shout out 🙌

[Sl8rGrl]

all these comments about getting personal answers REALLY makes me wish I had gotten my act together and sent in questions.

You can still send your questions to their support team, seems like they're the same ones who are answering all these Q&As. With this trickle of personal replies, they're probably just working down the list of 4000 questions.

You can chat with them pretty instantly or email and get a response back usually within 24 hours (in my case it's usually never longer than an hour or two to get a reply during their business hours)
https://www.slate.auto/en/contact

 

[Bayfire2441]

I don't think I ever posted the replies to the rest of the questions I asked.

I asked if third party accessories will be able to work with the Slate App.

"The Slate app will certainly host the data needed to monitor your Slate's battery levels, facilitate keyless entry and more.

It's compatibility with third-party accessories has not yet been discussed externally. We will have more information available as production gets moving next year."

I asked if the key will have a traditional bladed key and got this response.

"The Slate will have a key fob but no traditional metal key."

I asked if we would get the bigger or smaller of the two gauge clusters we have seen in the prototypes.

"The digital gauge cluster will be a standard size across Slate builds. We will know that exact measurement once production begins and the final design is truly locked."

And finally, I asked if there would be an option for a rear amber turn signal.

"The vehicle will most likely use LEDs all around, but everything is modular so you could replace them with different accessories if available. Unfortunately, the rear turn signals are red (we're with you on preferring amber!), but we wouldn't be surprised if a third party took this opportunity to create an accessory replacement. The Slate is designed to be adaptable, and we anticipate significant aftermarket involvement with accessories and add-ons."

Mostly nothing but wait and see which is what I expected.

 

[cadblu]

I asked if the key will have a traditional bladed key and got this response.

"The Slate will have a key fob but no traditional metal key."

So… what is the purpose of the key slot on the front doors and tailgate… just a decoration? Or an emergency override when your electronic locks fail?

 

[Bayfire2441]

So… what is the purpose of the key slot on the front doors and tailgate… just a decoration? Or an emergency override when your electronic locks fail?

Either at some point the physical locks will disappear or this customer support member has the wrong info. I'd bet on it being wrong, especially since Tesla has been getting a lot of shit for their door handle design recently. We will only know when they reach full production intent units. I'm hoping, unrealistically I'm sure, that we will get more info on the demo drives soon. Hopefully the demo drive units will be production intent ones.

 

[E90400K]

"Secondly, Slate will not be utilizing any subscription based services at this point."

@AZFox please dont freakout!

 

[SichuanHot]

"Secondly, Slate will not be utilizing any subscription based services at this point."

@AZFox please dont freakout!

With Amazon as a major investor, there will absolutely be something in the car or some feature that will be offered as a subscription based service.

 

[GaRailroader]

With Amazon as a major investor, there will absolutely be something in the car or some feature that will be offered as a subscription based service.

As far as I know, Amazon hasn't made any investment in Slate Auto. Jeff Bezos, former CEO/founder of Amazon, has made an investment out of his family office, unrelated to Amazon.

 

[E90400K]

With Amazon as a major investor, there will absolutely be something in the car or some feature that will be offered as a subscription based service.

Amazon will sell enough audio equipment to make Bezos happy.

 

[AZFox]

"The Slate app will certainly host the data needed to monitor your Slate's battery levels, facilitate keyless entry and more.

I wonder how the app will facilitate keyless entry. 🤔

 

[AZFox]

"Secondly, Slate will not be utilizing any subscription based services at this point."

@AZFox please dont freakout!

Never!

Here's proof. I already posted my thoughts about it.

This is encouraging!

Even with the Hedge Words "at this point" thrown in there for potential plausible deniability.

What was encouraging was that the agent said "We wanted your vehicle to not only be something you can DIY and have fun working on, but fully own!"

If that's to be believed, they understand the principle behind why subscription features are unappealing.

 

[SichuanHot]

As far as I know, Amazon hasn't made any investment in Slate Auto. Jeff Bezos, former CEO/founder of Amazon, has made an investment out of his family office, unrelated to Amazon.

Bezos still owns little over 8% of Amazon. While the accounts might be separate, the Bezos, Amazon, Slate relationship is undeniable especially as Amazon expands into auto commerce.

 

[Bayfire2441]

Bezos still owns little over 8% of Amazon. While the accounts might be separate, the Bezos, Amazon, Slate relationship is undeniable especially as Amazon expands into auto commerce.

I feel like a lot of this is overblown. I think all the headlines expect it to be like Rivian but I feel like Bezos probably doesn't care if Slate survives or not.

 

[Bayfire2441]

I wonder how the app will facilitate keyless entry. 🤔

I'm curious if the truck will have a WiFi/BT module in it somewhere to facilitate it. I'm not sure how other makers do it but I know Hyundai uses Bluetooth to talk to the car and NFC for acting as a digital key. Either that, or the app can only talk to the Slate through the cable and as such you would need atleast two devices to facilitate keyless entry.

 

[Johnologue]

Bezos still owns little over 8% of Amazon. While the accounts might be separate, the Bezos, Amazon, Slate relationship is undeniable especially as Amazon expands into auto commerce.

Framing Slate as "Bezos-backed" is just the obligatory attention-seeking by online news sources. You get more clicks by making it a billionaire fight between Bezos/Musk (especially in early 2025, given Musk's controversial status then). It's related to Amazon through Re:Build Manufacturing, which is cofounded by an Amazon executive.
There are enough degrees of separation that I don't consider Amazon/Bezos to be involved with Slate.