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“Where’s the TV?” Jeff Bezos-backed Slate EV pickup shocks buyers with what it doesn’t have…

This no-frills electric truck is turning heads—not with luxury, but with simplicity and a surprisingly low price tag.

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Jeff Bezos-backed Slate EV Pickup Stuns Buyers with Price and Simplicity
The Slate EV prototype draws curious families in Michigan with its ultra-minimalist design and modular customization features.

Ferndale, Michigan — In an automotive world obsessed with luxury screens, touch controls, and AI assistants, a startup backed by Jeff Bezos is taking a completely different route. The new Slate EV pickup, a rugged, minimalist electric truck built in Indiana, is drawing massive interest — not for what it offers, but for what it intentionally leaves out.

Displayed at the MOTO space in Ferndale, Michigan, the Slate prototype left both adults and kids puzzled by its simplicity. “Where’s the TVs?” asked 7-year-old James Gregory, hopping into the truck’s bare-bones interior. His mother, Lauren Gregory, 41, from Beverly Hills, laughed, noting, “It’s very simple on the inside.”

Unlike its flashy competitors, the Slate ditches infotainment systems and electronic overloads. Instead, it offers hand-cranked windows, a no-nonsense dashboard, and a modular design that has some parents calling it the “Mr. Potato Head of trucks.” This philosophy helps drive its anticipated price down to the mid-$20,000s — an astonishing figure in today’s electric vehicle market.


The truck is being developed by an EV startup with an office in Troy, Michigan, and is expected to hit the consumer market next year. Early prototypes show a two-seater base model that can be expanded with customizable kits — from fastback SUV options to open cargo versions, with up to five seats. A base color of gray is offered, but wrap kits starting at $500 allow buyers to splash personality into their Slate.

Craig Woods, 65, drove from Allendale just to see the truck. It reminded him of his old Ford Ranger, which he affectionately described as “not beastly.” He’s already put down the $50 refundable reservation. “This looks like a good, solid, entry-level EV,” Woods said, hopeful it will be his first electric vehicle.

Even younger buyers like Derek Ochodnicky, 38, from Berkley, are taking notice. With a 2-year-old daughter and another child on the way, Derek is eyeing the SUV option. Though he’s wary about the truck’s exposed bolts, he says the price tag is a big selling point. “Part of me wants this back-to-basics ride, but I also like my creature comforts,” he admitted.

Under the hood — or rather, in place of one — the Slate comes with two battery range options: 150 miles or 240 miles. It’s rear-wheel drive, with a 1,000-pound towing capacity, 35.1 cubic feet of cargo space, and even a 7 cubic foot frunk.

For those tired of tech overload and six-figure EVs, the Slate offers a fresh perspective. It’s not about flash. It’s about function, affordability, and maybe — just maybe — a little nostalgia.

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Ford CEO Jim Farley warns EV sales could plunge by 50% as $7,500 tax credit ends…

The end of federal incentives may slash U.S. electric vehicle sales in half, forcing Ford and rivals to rethink their EV strategies.

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Ford CEO Jim Farley Predicts EV Sales Collapse After $7,500 Tax Credit Ends
Ford CEO Jim Farley says U.S. EV sales could drop by half as tax incentives expire, putting pressure on automakers’ billion-dollar investments.

Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley has delivered one of the starkest warnings yet for the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market, saying demand could collapse by nearly 50% once federal tax incentives disappear.

Speaking at Ford’s “Pro Accelerate” event in Detroit on Tuesday, Farley said EV sales, which are currently hovering around a record 10–12% of the U.S. auto market, could sink to just 5% starting next month.

“We’re going to find out in a month. I wouldn’t be surprised if EV sales in the U.S. go down to 5%,” Farley said.

The policy shift

The forecast comes as the $7,500 federal EV incentive ends under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation removed blanket EV subsidies but added perks for vehicles assembled in the U.S., regardless of whether they are electric or combustion-based.

The policy change is already altering consumer behavior. Cox Automotive projects EV sales hit a record 410,000 units in Q3 2025, a 21% jump year-on-year, as buyers rushed to take advantage of the expiring credit. But analysts expect demand to slump once the incentive is gone, with many buyers effectively “pulling forward” their purchases.

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Expensive cars, cautious buyers

Farley was blunt about the challenge facing automakers:

“Customers are not interested in the $75,000 electric vehicle. They find them interesting. They’re fast, they’re efficient, you don’t go to the gas station, but they’re expensive.”

Ford currently sells models like the F-150 Lightning, which can top $90,000, and the Mustang Mach-E, a crossover positioned against rivals from Tesla and Hyundai. But Farley noted that customers seem more comfortable with hybrids and “partial electrification” for now, calling them “easier for customers to accept.”

Industry-wide ripple effects

The uncertainty could have major consequences for automakers’ massive EV investments. Ford has spent billions on EV development and battery plants across the U.S., but Farley acknowledged those facilities may now face “more stress.”

“We’ll fill them, but it will be more stress, because we had a four-year predictable policy. Now the policy changed. We all have to make adjustments,” he said.

The broader industry is watching closely. Tesla, General Motors, and Hyundai have all banked on rapid EV adoption to justify their expansion plans. The sudden shift could force a rethink in pricing, production, and supply chain strategies.

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Skilled trades and the “essential economy”

Farley’s comments came during a Ford-hosted discussion on skilled labor and education. The event drew executives and public officials who emphasized the need for training workers to support both traditional auto manufacturing and the emerging EV ecosystem.

While Farley expressed optimism that EVs will remain “a vibrant industry,” he admitted it will be “way smaller than we thought,” at least in the near term. For automakers, the message is clear: the road to electrification just got a lot bumpier.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

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Tesla Model Y Performance shocks with speed upgrades but do families really need a 460bhp SUV?

The revised Model Y Performance brings blistering acceleration, sharper suspension, and subtle design tweaks—but critics ask if it makes sense for the average family buyer.

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Tesla Model Y Performance Review 2025 – 460bhp Family EV or Unnecessary Overkill?
Tesla’s Model Y Performance delivers blistering acceleration, but raises the question—do families really need it?

When Tesla announced the revised Model Y Performance, many assumed it would simply be another power bump on an already rapid electric SUV. On paper, it is: 460bhp, 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds, and the obligatory “Insane Mode” launch control. But look closer, and there’s more nuance—plus an open question: who exactly needs this much power in a family EV?

A power boost with hidden refinements

The Model Y Performance now uses the LG 5M battery pack borrowed from the Tesla Model 3 Performance. With 79kWh usable capacity, it manages to squeeze in more energy without extra weight, resulting in nearly the same efficiency as the Long Range AWD. Efficiency might not sound as sexy as acceleration, but it matters when you’re ferrying kids to school rather than sprinting down an autobahn.

Alongside the battery, engineers squeezed out 40 extra horsepower over the last version. In today’s EV arms race, that means a 0-62mph sprint in just 3.5 seconds—numbers once reserved for supercars. Stick it in “Insane” mode, and it will repeat that feat multiple times.

Tesla New Model Y Performance 2 Daily Global Diary - Authentic Global News


Subtle styling, serious aero tweaks

At first glance, the Model Y Performance doesn’t scream transformation. Yes, there’s a new bumper, 21-inch Arachnid 2.0 wheels, a carbon lip spoiler, and glossy black mirrors. But the real story is underneath: the aero work reduces lift by 64% and drag by 10%. Less lift means more stability at speed, while less drag is a welcome efficiency boost. And if you care about details, those flashy red brake calipers? Same as the AWD version—just painted red.

Cabin upgrades and comfort

Inside, Elon Musk’s team focused on refinement. The central touchscreen has grown slightly, now crisper with more pixels. Sportier seats get extra bolstering and electric thigh supports, while carbon trim dots the dashboard and door inserts. Rear passengers aren’t left behind: the 8-inch rear entertainment screen remains, as does the panoramic glass roof.

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels have also been significantly improved. On smooth Swiss roads, testers reported cabin noise so low that you could “hear your passenger breathing.” That level of silence in an EV SUV is no small achievement.

Driving experience: intention over fun

Tesla didn’t just rely on raw power. The Y Performance gets adaptive suspension, revised bushings, and reinforced rear bracing. This means sharper handling and smoother ride control. It’s not a night-and-day difference compared to the Long Range AWD, but it does feel more deliberate, more focused. Still, the hefty weight makes quick direction changes less playful. The steering remains accurate but numb, and while braking is solid, it lacks feedback.

At 75% effort, though, the car feels exactly as intended—rapid, secure, and composed. Which, frankly, is what most families will want.

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The question of need vs. want

Here’s the rub. The standard Model Y Long Range AWD already does 0-62mph in under five seconds, has slightly more range, and costs about £10,000 less. For daily driving, school runs, and road trips, it might actually be the better choice.

The Performance version feels like an indulgence—a family car with sports car numbers. But will you really unleash 460bhp with children and groceries on board? Probably not.

As one reviewer put it, “The Model Y Performance is brilliant, but it feels surplus to requirements.”
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

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EV sales skyrocket in the U.S. as buyers race against Sept. 30 tax credit deadline

With federal incentives of up to $7,500 set to expire, Americans rushed to dealerships, sparking a historic surge in electric vehicle sales.

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EV sales surge in the U.S. as buyers rush before Sept. 30 tax credit deadline
EV buyers rushed to dealerships across the U.S. before the September 30 tax credit deadline.

The electric vehicle market in the United States just witnessed a surge unlike anything in recent memory. With federal tax credits for EVs — worth up to $7,500 on new cars and $4,000 on used ones — set to expire on September 30, buyers across the country rushed to secure deals before the clock ran out.

The Republican tax and spending package, passed in July, abruptly brought forward the deadline, creating what analysts have dubbed “the great EV sprint.” To qualify, buyers simply needed a binding contract signed before the deadline, even if delivery of the vehicle was scheduled for later.

“The past couple of weeks — even in the past several days — EV sales just exploded,” said Matt Jones, senior director of industry relations at TrueCar (LinkedIn). “It’s been bonkers.”


Tesla’s countdown and the power of urgency

Some automakers wasted no time amplifying the urgency. Tesla (Wikipedia) prominently featured a ticking countdown clock on its website, reminding buyers of the exact second they had left to lock in their purchase. Other dealers ramped up ad campaigns, targeting consumers who were previously unaware of the tax incentive.

The strategy worked. According to Cox Automotive EV sales in Q3 jumped 21.1% year-over-year, and were 30% higher than in spring 2025. J.D. Power reported that EVs made up over 11% of all U.S. auto sales in August, a figure matched only once before — in December 2024, when buyers rushed to close deals before Donald Trump began his second presidential term.

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Used EVs: the hottest ticket under $25k

The frenzy wasn’t limited to new vehicles. Used EVs under $25,000 — the price band eligible for the used tax credit — became the fastest sellers in the market, according to Cars Commerce , parent company of Cars.com.

The surge was so significant that analysts believe it boosted the entire U.S. auto market, with Edmunds forecasting the strongest Q3 new vehicle sales since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.


But will there be an “EV hangover”?

Not everyone is celebrating. Analysts warn that the spike could be followed by a slowdown. “The end of the tax credit created a rush in September, but it could also trigger an EV hangover in the months ahead,” cautioned Ivan Drury of Edmunds.

In other words, consumers who rushed to buy an EV before the deadline likely won’t be shopping again this year, leaving dealerships with fewer potential buyers in the short term.

The Rhodium Group estimates that the early end of the credits could reduce EV sales by 16% to 38% compared to projected growth.


Long-term growth still intact

Despite the uncertainty, long-term EV adoption appears stable. J.D. Power surveys show more than half of new-vehicle shoppers remain interested in going electric within the next year, suggesting that consumer appetite isn’t just tied to government incentives.

Automakers like General Motors and Ford are still heavily investing in EV technology to compete with China’s rapidly expanding market, while also grappling with tariffs and supply chain costs.

The real test, experts say, will be whether automakers can bring down EV prices enough to maintain momentum without federal subsidies. For now, September’s sales boom has shown one thing clearly: when incentives are on the line, American buyers will move fast.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

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