Slate Auto has announced plans to begin producing its flagship electric Slate Trucks in Warsaw’s former Donnelly factory. Photo from Slate Auto.

News Release

WARSAW — A Michigan-based electric vehicle startup with high-profile backers plans to bring up to 2,000 jobs to northern Indiana, marking a major shift for a region better known for orthopedics and agriculture.

Slate Auto announced plans to manufacture its flagship Slate Truck in a former LSC Communications facility on the west side of Warsaw, with production expected to begin in 2026.

The move comes after more than 500 workers were laid off in 2023 when LSC shuttered operations amid financial struggles. Slate’s arrival could revitalize the facility and spark new economic momentum in Kosciusko County.

Founded in 2022, Slate has operated in relative secrecy until recently. The company’s backers include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter. It unveiled the Slate Truck last month, billing it as an affordable, American-made electric vehicle with a starting price of $27,500, or roughly $20,000 after federal tax incentives.

The company’s no-frills approach eliminates costly features like paint shops, touchscreens and audio systems. Customers can choose from nearly 100 modular upgrades, including a conversion that turns the two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV. Basic models come without a built-in audio system, although users can add speakers through Slate or third-party installers.

Slate CEO Chris Barman, a Crown Point native, saw the Warsaw site as an ideal fit for the company’s mission and growth plans, Jablansky said. The facility’s industrial legacy and existing infrastructure factored heavily into the decision.

Slate aims to produce 150,000 vehicles annually once the plant reaches full capacity. The company has not disclosed how much it plans to invest in the facility or the terms of its lease. Jablansky also declined to comment on potential tax incentives.

Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Peggy Friday confirmed that an incentive package is in place but cited nondisclosure agreements in declining to provide specifics.

Slate is currently accepting \$50 deposits for preorders of the Slate Truck.