#Slate Auto

Cadillac Opens 2027 Optiq Configurator Ahead of Production

The 2027 Optiq starts at $52,695, including destination charges, while the performance-focused Optiq-V tops the lineup with a starting price of $69,295.

Slate EV Pickup Ditches Connectivity to Put Privacy First

The approach positions privacy as a core selling point for the startup’s minimalist EV, which has been designed to challenge assumptions about what modern vehicles actually need.

Slate Auto Raises $650M to Launch Low-Cost Electric Pickup

The Series C round, led by TWG Global, brings the startup’s total funding to roughly $1.4 billion, with production targeted to begin later this year and preorders expected to open in June.

Ford Fathom Electric Pickup’s Top Trim Will Reportedly Cost Less Than $40,000

Ford’s upcoming Fathom midsize electric pickup is being positioned as an affordable EV truck, with even its highest trim reportedly expected to stay below $40,000. The Fathom will be the first vehicle on Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle platform, with a starting MSRP of $28,350, or $29,945 including the $1,595 destination fee, and a planned late-2027 launch.

BMW Electric M3 to Feature Simulated Gear Shifts and Artificial Sound

BMW M Chief Executive Officer Frank van Meel confirmed in a video interview published Monday, October 26, that the division’s upcoming battery-electric M3 sedan will pair synthesized soundtrack cues with virtual gearshifts. Slated to enter production in Munich in 2027 on the Neue Klasse architecture, the quad-motor sports sedan is being engineered to give track drivers audible and tactile feedback.

Rivian Acquires Third Dimension AI to Speed Up Autonomy Testing and Validation

Rivian has purchased Third Dimension AI, a two-year-old software firm headed by a former Tesla Autopilot simulation leader that converts recorded road-sensor data into interactive 3D driving worlds. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the startup’s 15-member staff, located primarily in the United Kingdom, will fold into the autonomy and AI division under Senior Vice President James Philbin.

Polestar Eyes LFP Batteries as It Targets a Climate-Neutral Car by 2035

Swedish EV maker Polestar is looking at lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology to help meet its 2035 target for a zero-emission production car, Head of Sustainability Fredrika Klarén said. Every current model in the Swedish brand’s lineup relies on nickel manganese cobalt cells, and the company has not yet named a launch timeline for an LFP-equipped vehicle.

Ford Fathom Prototype Spotted at Dearborn HQ With Prominent Front Sensor

Although heavy camouflage continues to conceal most of the truck’s design, the latest prototype sighting reveals a prominent sensor in the front grille and Michelin e-Primacy tires. Ford plans to fully unveil the all-electric pickup in early 2027.

Canada’s New Chinese EV Quota Has Yet to Bring a Flood of Imports

The figure provides an early indication of how slowly Chinese EV brands are entering the Canadian market despite the country’s decision to sharply reduce tariffs on qualifying vehicles made in China.

Slate Reveals $24,950 Electric Pickup As Future Rival To Ford’s Affordable EV Truck

The minimalist electric pickup is expected to compete with Ford’s upcoming affordable EV truck, though both companies have suggested the vehicles will target different buyers due to differences in size, features, and capability.

Ford Launches Website for New Affordable EV Pickup Ahead of Expected Reveal

The new site, discovered after a QR code appeared on a camouflaged prototype, provides additional details about the truck’s development, manufacturing approach, and design as Ford prepares for a reveal expected before 2027.

Rivian Stock Could Surge if the R2 Launch Delivers in 2026

After achieving positive gross profit in 2025, Rivian now faces two key milestones that could determine whether its stock becomes one of the EV sector’s biggest comeback stories over the next three years.

Ford Seemingly Hints at New EV Pickup Design in Product Day Photo

The vehicle, expected to debut within the next year, is seen as critical to Ford’s long-term EV strategy and competitiveness.

Why Lucid Gravity Was Chosen as the Foundation for Uber’s Robotaxi

Lucid unveiled a production-intent autonomous vehicle based on the Gravity SUV at CES 2026, developed in partnership with Nuro and slated for use exclusively on Uber’s platform.

Tesla Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Earnings Results and Analysis

Management also outlined major strategic shifts, including winding down Model S and X production, expanding robotaxi operations, and ramping investment in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Tesla Signals Model S and Model X Exit as It Pivots Fully to Autonomy

The Model S and Model X paved the way for Tesla to become a mass-market electric vehicle maker.

AI Is Changing the Used EV Marketplace: What Buyers Should Check Before Trusting a Listing

Artificial intelligence can make the search faster, more personalized, and less intimidating. It cannot replace documentation, inspection, or judgment.

Ford Rethinks Europe EV Strategy as Cologne Plant Outlook Comes Into Focus

A newly announced partnership with Renault aimed at cutting EV costs could reshape Ford’s regional strategy, even as weak demand and recent layoffs cloud the outlook for its current Volkswagen-based models.

Ford Cancels Next-Gen Electric Van as Hybrid Strategy Reshapes EV Roadmap

Ford confirmed it has canceled a future all-electric commercial van that was slated to be built alongside the next-generation F-150 Lightning.

BYD Chief Says Sales Slump Will Reverse as Major New Tech Nears

Wang argued that BYD’s 120,000-engineer R&D force remains its greatest strength.