Slate Auto, an American company backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has revealed its first production model called the Blank Slate. Launched as a bargain basement electric ute that’s highly configurable to even turn it into an SUV, its starting price in the US is just $24,950 (A$36,200 at current exchange rates) or only US$400 more than an entry-level Mazda3 in that market. It’s due to go on sale in the US later in 2026, and the company claims that it’s holding over 180,000 refundable deposits from potential customers.

Originally revealed as a near-production prototype in early 2025, the production variants of the Blank Slate and its Squareback SUV sibling have finally been revealed and look almost identical to the original concepts.

Measuring 4430mm long, 1790mm wide, 1730mm tall and riding on a 2770mm long wheelbase, the Blank Slate is much smaller than other utes on sale in the US, and is actually the exact same length as an MG ZS small SUV. In fact, it’s even smaller than the 5072mm long Ford Maverick, which is one of the smallest utes available in North America.

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Under their bodies is a 63kWh lithium-ion battery that’s good for an estimated driving range of 330km, which feeds a 135kW/264Nm motor driving the rear wheels, which is enough performance for a claimed 0-97km/h (0-60mph) sprint time of around eight seconds and a top speed of 90mph (145km/h).

As for charging speeds, DC fast charging at up to 120kW is available, as well as AC up to 11kW, for a claimed 20-80 per cent charge in as little as half an hour. The Truck’s payload rating is 703kg and its towing capacity is 907kg, which are lessened to 573kg and 807kg respectively in the Squareback.

With its capability covered, the Blank Slate is notable for its lack of standard features and how it’s — literally — a blank slate for owners to customise to their needs. Thanks to US safety standards, features like six airbags, traction- and stability control, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning and pedestrian detection, automatic high beam and a reversing camera must be standard, but beyond those, cruise control, manual air-conditioning and remote central locking, the Slate is bare bones to keep costs down.

The Slate’s windows are manual and there’s no audio system as standard, nor any form of infotainment system, just a dock for a smartphone and basic driver’s display with the speedometer and range until empty.

But as mentioned, Slate buyers can customise and add many features, including an audio system to connect to a phone via Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels up to 20-inches in size, a lift kit, new bumpers, decals, exterior wraps, more colourful interior parts, roof racks and even tonneau covers.

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Plus, buyers don’t have to customise their Slate at the time of purchase as all of these features are available to purchase after they take delivery. Therefore, buyers who choose the Blank Slate can order the parts to turn it into the Squareback later on if they need SUV-like practicality down the line. All the optional extras for the Slate range are listed with self-install ratings of beginner, medium or advanced.

Like companies such as Tesla, Slate will use a direct sales model and as such, there will be no Slate dealerships. However, Slates will be able to be serviced through US service franchise RepairPal, of which there are more than 3000 locations across the US. As for warranty, the battery and drivetrain are covered by a 10-year/110,000 mile (177,000km) warranty, though it’s not known how long the warranty for the rest of the car is.

The Slate Truck and SUV are due to go on sale in the US from later this year.