The Inventors And Big Ideas Trying To Save Detroit From Economic Ruin
In a Nutshell
Detroit's economic revival hinges on innovative startups like Slate's affordable, customizable $20k electric trucks (100k+ orders, production starting 2026) and Grounded RVs' upcycled GM vans for mobile businesses, alongside AI-modernized tool-and-die at Atomic Industries to reshore manufacturing. GM demonstrates serious EV commitment via its Wallace Battery Center's LMR cells enabling 500-mile trucks, Factory Zero's advanced production, and a "Zero Zero Zero" vision, despite past losses and policy shifts. Amid historical auto pride and urban decay, entrepreneurs like Bendy Darosi repurpose factories, fueling hope to re-industrialize the city as "America's Shenzhen."
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In Detroit, using a 2026 all-electric GMC Sierra AT4 with max range of about 500 miles on a charge, borrowed from GM for the week. Truck has more cameras than ever seen on a car. Shooting entire episode using only the truck's cameras. Truck belongs to GM to prove they can make electric vehicles.
GM's lawyers did not expect the creativity; turned the truck over to Rap Detroit who customized it into Sexy Brexy, the intelligent finance vehicle.
Visiting Slate, hottest automotive startup in Detroit. Revealed electric truck in April: no-frills, partially plastic, very customizable vehicle, meant to start at less than $20,000 (mid-20s brand new, under $20k after current incentives in some states). Over 100,000 orders. Run by Chris Barbin, longtime auto industry exec.
"What if somebody made an affordable vehicle again... basic vehicles that people had and loved that were very durable and very affordable... entry level brand... Plymouth is gone. Pontiac's gone. Saturn's gone. Scion's gone. Average cost of a new vehicle is about $50,000."
Slate is like a chameleon of trucks and SUVs: add SUV kit for 5-passenger SUV. Business model: open-source platform with mechanical/electrical API for customization (e.g., start as 2-passenger, add family seating later for a few thousand). Designed to be wrapped easily (few hours, few hundred dollars). Body and white received, then hang parts. Plastic body panels like Saturn, manual crank windows standard (power windows as accessory), no displays/infotaiment standard. Comes standard with cruise control and air conditioning.
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