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Episode #1017: Today we talk Polestar’s bold Tesla takedown with a $20K lease play, Jeff Bezos’ stealthy new EV startup with big aspirations, and GM’s pause on BrightDrop van production despite rock-bottom pricing.

Show Notes with links:

• A secretive EV startup based in Michigan is gaining attention fast. Funded by Jeff Bezos and stocked with talent from Ford, GM, Harley-Davidson, and Stellantis, Slate Auto is taking a bold swing at building a $25,000 electric pickup.
  • Founded in 2022 via Re:Build Manufacturing, Slate has already raised over $100 million and closed a Series B round.
  • The company is targeting late 2026 production near Indianapolis, building a minimalist two-seat pickup truck.
  • Slate’s strategy flips the usual EV script—start affordable and scale with accessories, not luxury trims.
  • Its product roadmap includes personalization, merchandise, and “Slate University” for customer-led upgrades.
  • “We built it. You make it,” is the company’s trademarked mission to empower buyers with customization.

• Polestar is going big to lure Tesla owners, offering a jaw-dropping $20,000 incentive for drivers to lease the new Polestar 3 luxury EV crossover—an offer good through the end of March.
  • The deal includes a $15,000 “Clean Vehicle Incentive” plus a $5,000 “Conquest Bonus” for current Tesla owners.
  • The offer applies only to leased 2025 Polestar 3s; delivery must be taken from existing inventory before March 31.
  • The Polestar 3 is sleek, spacious, and built in South Carolina with top-tier tech and sustainable materials.
  • Performance specs include up to 517 hp, a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, and up to 350 miles of range.
  • The Polestar offer says: “The Polestar 3 offers more comfort, tech, and style than the aging Model Y,”

• GM is hitting the brakes on production of its all-electric BrightDrop van at its Ontario facility due to soft demand—despite deep discounts and compelling incentives that still make it a standout EV deal.
  • Production at CAMI Assembly will pause April 14 and remain idle until October 2025 for retooling.
  • The move affects nearly 500 workers and drops the plant to a single shift post-relaunch.
  • Only 274 BrightDrop vans were sold in Q1 2025—a modest 7% increase year-over-year.
  • The announcement follows market jitters caused by Trump’s tariff threats and broader EV hesitations.
  • “It’s a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll,” said Unifor President Lana Payne.

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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