Episode 6: Rebuilding Driving: The Slate Auto Story with CEO Chris Barman

A revolution in affordable transportation is coming to Warsaw, Indiana, and Slate Auto CEO Chris Barman joins us to share what makes this emerging EV company so different from everything else on the market.

Chris reveals the profound insight driving Slate’s mission: Instead of adding more luxury features and complex technology, Slate is returning to basics with a refreshingly simple approach – one standard configuration with manual windows and no screens, designed as an open platform for owner customization.

But Slate isn’t just rethinking the product – they’re reimagining the entire ownership experience. Through “Slate University,” owners learn to modify their vehicles themselves, from changing exterior colors with $500 wrap kits to more complex transformations. The composite body panels are specifically designed for easy customization, putting control back in owners’ hands.

For Warsaw and Kosciusko County, Slate’s manufacturing facility brings approximately 1,800 new jobs and a business culture focused on transparency and community connection. As a Crown Point native and Purdue graduate, Barman’s Indiana roots make this homecoming especially meaningful. Her journey from aspiring pediatrician to automotive executive exemplifies the innovative thinking Slate brings to our region.

Want to learn more about Slate or explore job opportunities? Visit Slate’s website to see their vehicle, use their customization tool, and follow their careers page for upcoming positions in Warsaw. Join us in welcoming this groundbreaking company that’s making new vehicles affordable again – right here in our community.