<p>Investor <strong>Ross Gerber</strong> said on Sunday that a conversation with an early <strong>Tesla Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ:TSLA) employee now working at <strong>Slate Auto</strong> led him to watch the electric vehicle startup more closely as it prepares to launch a low-cost pickup truck in 2026.</p>



<h2>Gerber Says Slate Is Worth Watching Closely</h2>



<p>The Gerber Kawasaki Wealth &amp; Investment Management CEO wrote on X that he &#34;spent the night hanging with a guy working at Slate Auto, who helped build Tesla from the beginning.&#34; He called Slate &#34;an interesting company to watch&#34; because it is making an affordable EV pickup and said it was &#34;Fun talking about the old days at Tesla.&#34;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div>
<blockquote><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turns out I spent the night hanging with a guy working at Slate Auto, who helped build tesla from the beginning. This is an interesting company to watch making an EV pickup that's affordable and launching this year. Fun talking about the old days at tesla… $tsla…</p>— Ross Gerber (@GerberKawasaki) May 17, 2026</blockquote>
</div></figure>



<p>The comments add market attention to Slate, a <strong>Jeff Bezos</strong>–backed EV maker testing a stripped-down approach as electric-vehicle startups continue to face hard production economics.</p>



<div>


<p>
<strong>
Read Also:

EXCLUSIVE: Tesla Isn't On The Same Playing Field As Waymo, Expert Says—Predicts Chinese Manufacturers Entering The U.S. Is 'Inevitable'
</strong>
</p>


</div>


<h2>Funding Round Adds Momentum Before Launch</h2>



<p>Slate raised $650 million last month in a Series C round led by TWG Global to support the launch of its first vehicles later this year. The company had earlier raised more than $111 million in Series A funding from <strong>Jeff Bezos</strong> and other high-profile investors, including Mark Walter.</p>



<p>The startup that aims to undercut Tesla’s Cybertruck also revealed it has secured more than 160,000 reservations for its first product, a customizable pickup expected to start at around $25,000.</p>



<h2>Minimalist Truck Keeps Costs Down</h2>



<p>Slate Auto unveiled the truck in April 2025. According to the company’s website, the base model skips a traditional paint job, power windows and a stereo, keeping costs down through a simpler platform that buyers can modify. It has an estimated 150-mile range from a 52.7-kWh battery and a payload capacity of about 1,400 pounds. A larger battery option is expected to raise the range to about 240 miles.</p>



<p>Gerber’s comment on the company arrives on the back of a TechCrunch report in May that Bezos' direct role may be shrinking after <strong>Melinda Lewison</strong>, head of investments for Bezos Expeditions, left Slate's board.</p>



<p>Michigan-based local news platform Crain's Detroit Business last week reported that Slate plans to add 392 jobs and invest $10.4 million at its Troy, Michigan, headquarters, nearly doubling its workforce there.</p>



<p>According to <strong>Benzinga Edge Rankings</strong>, Tesla stock currently offers satisfactory Momentum, but poor Value. It also provides a favorable price trend in the Long, Medium and Short term.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"></figure>



<div>


<p>
<strong>
Read Also:

EXCLUSIVE: Ross Gerber Says He's A 'Tesla Lover, Elon Critic' – Why He Sees Himself As The Tesla Hero And Not A Villain
</strong>
</p>


</div>


<p><em>Photo: lev radin on Shutterstock.com</em></p>

TSLA

TSLL

TSLG

TSLT

TESL

TSLR

<p>Investor Ross Gerber highlighted Slate Auto as an 'interesting company to watch' after discussing its upcoming affordable EV pickup with a former Tesla employee. Slate, backed by Jeff Bezos, raised $650 million for its launch and has over 160,000 reservations. The minimalist truck aims to undercut Tesla's Cybertruck, featuring a base model starting at $25,000 with a 150-mile range. Gerber's comments come amid reports of changes in Bezos' involvement with the company.</p>

- Investor Ross Gerber highlighted Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup, after a conversation with a former Tesla employee, noting its upcoming low-cost pickup truck launch in 2026.  
- Slate raised $650 million in a Series C funding round and has over 160,000 reservations for its affordable customizable pickup, expected to start at around $25,000.  
- The minimalist truck design aims to minimize production costs and offers features such as a 150-mile range and a significant payload capacity.

benzinga_article

Tesla

GraniteShares 1.25 Long TSLA Daily ETF

Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares

Leverage Shares 2X Long TSLA Daily ETF

T-Rex 2X Long Tesla Daily Target ETF

Simplify Volt TSLA Revolution ETF

GraniteShares 2x Long TSLA Daily ETF

Top Wealth

Jeff Bezos-Backed Slate Auto An 'Interesting Company To Watch,' Says Ross Gerber After Hanging Out With Employee That Helped Build Tesla