Slate Auto, the electric truck startup headquartered in Troy, has partnered with Smarties Candy to introduce six pastel-colored vehicle wrap packages inspired by the candy's flavors.
The collaboration, announced Oct. 27 ahead of Halloween, offers colors called Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Grape, Pineapple, Orange and Strawberry, according to a joint announcement from Slate and Smarties.
Each Smarties Starter Pack combines a vehicle wrap with matching decals and branded accessories. Pricing for the new packages has not been announced.
Built to be wrapped
Slate designed its electric truck to be customized with removable wraps rather than conventional paint finishes. Owners can change their truck's appearance without repainting it.
The Smarties collection extends that approach with six colors named after the candy's flavors.
Each package includes color-matched mirror decals, a Smarties-branded rocker decal, a rainbow Smarties logo decal, a branded key fob endcap and an interior Slatelet, a clip-on dashboard accessory.
Ben Whitla, Slate's head of brand and marketing, said the collaboration reflects the companies' interest in making vehicle customization more playful and accessible.
"The newly released Starter Packs are an incredible example of taking something we all love, like Smarties colors, and bringing them to life on an actual Slate that you can make your own," Whitla said.
Smarties Co-President Jessica Dee Sawyer said the partnership brings the candy company's colorful identity to a different kind of product.
Slate's second color-themed collaboration
The Smarties packages follow a July partnership with Crayola that introduced five wrap colors based on the crayon company's products.
Those packages were priced at $1,549.99, according to TechCrunch. Slate has not disclosed whether the Smarties collection will cost the same amount.
The company introduced the Smarties collaboration at an Oct. 27 pop-up in New York City's Flatiron district.
Representatives handed out candy beside a pastel-wrapped Slate Truck, according to MediaPost.
The event gave visitors a look at the customization options as Slate prepares to begin delivering vehicles.
Troy headquarters expanding
Slate has been headquartered in Troy since beginning operations in 2022.
The company received approval in May for a $5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to expand its headquarters.
The project calls for a $10.4 million investment and the creation of at least 392 jobs over five years, including corporate, engineering and design positions.
At the time, Slate employed 325 people in Michigan across its operations, according to the state's May 19 announcement.
The expansion is intended to support the company's vehicle development and manufacturing operations.
Truck pricing and delivery plans
Slate lists its base electric truck at $24,950, before a $1,450 destination charge, taxes and optional accessories.
Customers can place a preorder with a $300 deposit and customize their vehicles through the company's marketplace.
The Smarties Starter Packs are being offered as customization options ahead of delivery, with package purchases available through the marketplace.
Slate plans to assemble its vehicles at a converted industrial facility in Warsaw, Indiana.
According to the company's official frequently asked questions, first customer deliveries are expected in late 2026.
The Smarties collaboration gives the Troy-based company another way to showcase its customization strategy before its trucks reach customers.
