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Bezos-Backed EV Startup Shakes Up Leadership
9 Mar
Summary
- Peter Faricy, former Amazon executive, named new CEO.
- Slate Auto's electric truck price targeting mid-$20,000 range.
- Company has secured $700 million in funding from investors.
Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup supported by Jeff Bezos, has appointed Peter Faricy as its new Chief Executive Officer. Faricy, who previously served as vice president for Amazon Marketplace, began his tenure on Monday. He succeeds Christine Barman, Slate's first CEO, who will now lead vehicle production as President of Vehicles.
Barman, a veteran of Chrysler, had been instrumental since Slate emerged from stealth in April 2025. In her new role, she is tasked with ensuring the timely and budget-conscious delivery of Slate's electric truck. The company aims to finalize the truck's pricing, which is now targeted at the mid-$20,000 range, a shift from earlier projections influenced by federal EV tax credit changes.
Faricy steps into the CEO position as Slate prepares to transition its roughly 160,000 refundable preorders into confirmed vehicle orders. The company has attracted significant investment, raising approximately $700 million from Bezos and other notable backers, including former Amazon executives. Slate's leadership and many key team members have a strong background at Amazon, reflecting the startup's deep ties to the e-commerce giant.
