🛻 Crank you very much

New cars have become so expensive that a Jeff Bezos-backed startup is asking a radical question: What if we stopped adding stuff?

Meet Slate Auto’s first vehicle: a tiny two-seat electric pickup (paywall link) expected to start around $25,000. It comes with hand-crank windows, no radio, no touchscreen navigation and optional $500 vinyl wraps instead of paint. Want an SUV? Assemble one yourself with an add-on kit.

Think of it as the IKEA truck, some assembly required. Allen wrench sold separately.

And about those hand-crank windows. When a sheet of glass gets disrespected, it feels discomfort for up to 12 minutes after. They call it window pain.