Crank windows are back in Slate’s new low-cost electric pickup (X @slateauto)
Manual windows, which had disappeared from cars sold in the United States, are making a comeback with the launch of the electric pickup from the startup Slate.
The model, recently revealed, comes in a simple configuration to keep the cost low: steel wheels, a single electric motor, and crank windows, with no option for versions with electric windows.
This is the first time since 2024 that an American passenger car will feature this type of window, which for decades was associated with affordable vehicles. They were once present in popular models such as Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, and Kia Rio, all of which are no longer in production.
With this, Slate aims to bring back the simplicity and affordability of old vehicles, offering its pickup for less than $20,000, including federal incentives.
Interestingly, manual windows no longer offer cost or weight advantages over electric windows, which have become very inexpensive to manufacture. Still, Slate’s decision seems more symbolic than functional, evoking a time when cars were simpler and cheaper, a nostalgia that may attract consumers looking for practicality and savings.
Source: Motor1.com | Photo: X @slateauto | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
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— Slate Auto (@slateauto) April 25, 2025
