Article: Ram CEO: Slate Vehicles Won't Be So Cheap Once Buyers Get Done Optioning Them Up

[Imhotep]

it doesn’t seem to occur to this Ram CEO that people can upgrade later instead of needing to pony up an additional “$15K” up front.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/tech...buyers-get-done-optioning-them-up/ar-AA1GAsw7

i’m saving up already hoping to pay cash and add on later if/when I want to.

 

[Imhotep]

Looks like this guy is talking to a few outlets

https://www.motor1.com/news/762501/ram-thought-slate-truck-idea-million-times/

 

[slateya]

I don’t even pretend to understand meathead Ram maker/driver logic.

 

[GeoLogic]

I frankly believe he's right: The Slate will cost $35k+ once you equip it as many, if not most, would wish. Longest range battery, AWD, SUV configuration... I bet it will cost what he speculates, if not more. As pointed out by another however, besides the battery and (likely future) AWD, customers would have ability to update things later as inclination and finances permit. THAT'S something RAM can't offer. And if the Slate is more reliable than what Stellantis diarrheas out year after year, which shouldn't be that difficult, there's yet another characteristic that you can't get in a RAM.

 

[AZFox]

"CEO Tim Kuniskis told CNBC that he didn’t think buyers would spring for the most basic versions of the Slate truck"

 

[SlatePossible2028]

"CEO Tim Kuniskis told CNBC that he didn’t think buyers would spring for the most basic versions of the Slate truck"

I mean, he's right to be honest.

The vast majority of "basic" trucks that get bought are fleet trucks. This has been the case since basically forever. "Basic" Models have been shunned in the US since the 50s and the vast majority of people who buy base model cars are weird dweebs who feel some need to flex the fact that they paid for less on X (the money went into Y). Seriously, go join any of the "base model/underwhelming cars" groups anywhere, and see how many of the people there are just weirdos who feel a need to be contrary to everyone.


No, the vast majority of "basic" slates will be sold to fleets, plain and simple. That's assuming Slate sales among fleets actually takes off - and I think that will be the big thing here. I'd be willing to bet that 90% of slates sold to non fleets will be at least 25k+ even after incentive.

Im also willing to bet that, much like the maverick, that said pricing will be followed by a wave of social media whining about "how this was supposed to cost X so why don't the higher trim models cost the same as base?"

The entire "we want basic trucks!" Crowd on rhe internet is largely artificial. The Kei truck/basic truck/small truck movement popped up almost all at the same time, right around the time mavericks were flying off the lot. Overall it seems to have been some sort of effort to fuck with maverick sales, or something. I highly recommend tracking accounts and creation dates if you wanna see this in action.

The question at the end of the day is will Slate succeed with fleets and with regular customers. The fact that most non-fleet buys won't be basic is just that - a fact

 

[Duke Slater]

I’m planning to get mine entirely blank with no add ons. It’s what the Slate is supposed to be, and that’s enough for me. Even the wraps, I think, are a little silly. The SUV kit has its place, but just about nothing else does.

It should be a dependable, reliable, simple vehicle, not something you use to pick up chicks at the bar. If you’re planning on using yours for that purpose, making a Slate something impressive to look at, you might need to rethink things in your life.

 

[brian10x]

I have always been drawn to simple things. I'm 65 and this is the first vehicle that has got me excited in 25 years. I work in automotive service and I see the daily consequences of "feature creep" across all makes and models.
I know the Slate's electric, but the perfect compliment to manual windows (for me at least) would be a manual transmission!

 

[GaRailroader]

Funny that they ask the RAM CEO for his expert opinion on an EV startup. Here is a company that is spending money developing new gasoline engines. Stellantis will be out of business in 10 years, 15 tops.

 

[SlatePossible2028]

"...vast majority of people who buy base model cars are weird dweebs who feel some need to flex the fact that they paid for less on X (the money went into Y). Seriously, go join any of the "base model/underwhelming cars" groups anywhere, and see how many of the people there are just weirdos who feel a need to be contrary to everyone."

Lol. Ah. No...

Go join any group that glorifies that shit and tell me it's not a bunch of weirdos. It's all ive experienced in my ~20 years of car discourse.

Im not saying base models are bad. My ranchero WAS as base model as they came, besides the engine. They have their place. Im just saying the people who make a big stink out of "look what I DONT have" tend to be wierd

 

[GaRailroader]

Go join any group that glorifies that shit and tell me it's not a bunch of weirdos. It's all ive experienced in my ~20 years of car discourse.

Im not saying base models are bad. My ranchero WAS as base model as they came, besides the engine. They have their place. Im just saying the people who make a big stink out of "look what I DONT have" tend to be wierd

I guess I am a weirdo. My favorite truck that I’ve owned was a 2006 Ranger, regular cab, vinyl floors, vinyl seats, manual windows, 5 speed, no AC. Loved that truck.

 

[SlatePossible2028]

I guess I am a weirdo. My favorite truck that I’ve owned was a 2006 Ranger, regular cab, vinyl floors, vinyl seats, manual windows, 5 speed, no AC. Loved that truck.

But did you make it your personality, is the question. That's the difference

 

[skidoofast]

It’s hard to believe a fully loaded Silverado costs more than a base model

a topper added to an F150 costs $3k???

a ram with running boards gets an upcharge??

who would’ve thought options cost extra

 

[SlatePossible2028]

It’s hard to believe a fully loaded Silverado costs more than a base model

a topper added to an F150 costs $3k???

a ram with running boards gets an upcharge??

who would’ve thought

Noooo why doesn't the LOBO package cost the same as base model?????

 

[cadblu]

Well I have to admire RAMs tagline in the CEO’s banner

“Nothing Stops Ram”

How true! December 2024-

“Stellantis is recalling more than 315,000 of its Ram pickup trucks due to a potentially deadly safety issue with the braking system, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reporting.”

Full article Here

What say you, Tim???