GoKawiilSlate Auto's design chief cites lasting appeal behind 180,000 EV truck reservations
Tisha Johnson, head of design at EV startup Slate Auto, leads styling of a pickup that starts under $25,000 — the cheapest new truck on sale in the US. The vehicle, offered in a modular Fastback configuration, has drawn design awards and roughly 180,000 reservations, according to the company's figures cited in the coverage.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Johnson is notably one of few women leading the overall exterior design of a vehicle rather than interiors or materials, which the piece frames as unusual in the auto industry. Her approach — favoring rounded, approachable forms over aggressive styling — suggests low price and strong design appeal can coexist, potentially challenging assumptions that affordability requires visual compromise.
- Slate's pickup starts under $25,000, the lowest price of any new US truck, electric or gas.
- Design chief Tisha Johnson deliberately avoided aggressive, 'macho' styling cues.
- The vehicle has reportedly drawn about 180,000 reservations and several design awards.
Source: wired.com — Chris Haslam, 2026-09-25
Published there as: “16 Products From Women Designers You Need to Know”
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