Events - Removed From Schedule

[skidoofast]

I wish Slate wouldn’t have put the list out of events for June and then remove all the dates, then remove the events

now they are down to one for Salt Lake City Utah for June, they are running out of days in June and definitely not enough time to drum up excitement and attendance

It’s not hurting my confidence but it is taking away from my level of excitement

I feel that the marketing department has cast the net but now are running out of bait

I suppose it’s possible they have so many reservations that even if 1/3rd of them converted to orders they would disappoint the later ones with the wait times because of production

https://www.slate.auto/en/events

 

[Letas]

Yeah, frankly very concerning.

“Demand was overwhelming and they didn’t know how to handle it” does not feel like a valid excuse. That’s a very good problem to have.

Even if Slate sells 100k cars (incredibly optimistic) in the first year, that’s 2b revenue. Chump change.

 

[cadblu]

I texted Slate on this exact question. They said they are still putting the ‘finishing touches’ on the events. Which to many of us means that planning is at least 90% complete. Wishful thinking.

Here’s my take on the situation. Slate has a serious problem filling positions. They are ramping up too quickly and don’t have the staff in place to meet deadlines. I estimate that about 100 people need to be onboarded each month over the coming year. That is their biggest hurdle, assuming a success oriented environment. And we all know things don’t always go well the first time around.

 

[Letas]

I texted Slate on this exact question. They said they are still putting the ‘finishing touches’ on the events. Which to many of us means that planning is at least 90% complete. Wishful thinking.

Here’s my take on the situation. Slate has a serious problem filling positions. They are ramping up too quickly and don’t have the staff in place to meet deadlines. I estimate that about 100 people need to be onboarded each month over the coming year. That is their biggest hurdle, assuming a success oriented environment. And we all know things don’t always go well the first time around.

if they can’t fill positions…. Pay more.
Simple

 

[skidoofast]

I haven’t heard any reports of not finding employees, right now they don’t have much of a need for many employees, their facility is undergoing or will be undergoing massive retrofitting and upgrades, a lot of which will be contracted out, the majority of hiring will be near the end of this year or some time next year

 

[Duke Slater]

if they can’t fill positions…. Pay more.
Simple

But that makes our trucks more expensive

 

[SlateChick]

Yeah, I was planning on going to the Detroit one, I’m only 250 miles away.

I haven’t been to Utah for like eight years. I really love Utah. Maybe I’ll take a flight.

I really don’t want to drive 2200 miles

 

[TampaTerp]

I wish Slate wouldn’t have put the list out of events for June and then remove all the dates, then remove the events

now they are down to one for Salt Lake City Utah for June, they are running out of days in June and definitely not enough time to drum up excitement and attendance

It’s not hurting my confidence but it is taking away from my level of excitement

I feel that the marketing department has cast the net but now are running out of bait

I suppose it’s possible they have so many reservations that even if 1/3rd of them converted to orders they would disappoint the later ones with the wait times because of production

https://www.slate.auto/en/events

I feel similar and was really looking forward to the Detroit event (it was the closest before they removed it).

It doesn't change the excitement or my confidence in the organization. Being agile is probably key to this stage.

Also, if you follow carefully you can find other ways to see the truck in person.

Per Instagram there's going to be in Los Angeles. I think for all of July + from LinkedIn I learned todd states attending a show in North Carolina this upcoming week. I would imagine they would have a vehicle with them there. I may or may not be there 😂

 

[FC49er]

With 9 days left in June this isn't happening

 

[cadblu]

if they can’t fill positions…. Pay more.
Simple

Apparently Slate is not skimping on salaries:

Considering that Slate is not tech loaded (in their own words) that salary seems generous.r

 

[Sparkie]

In my computer programming career, that role is critically important and the salary is just barely competitive IMHO.

Seriously, I don't have any concerns about these event cancellations.
From the beginning, I was surprised they were planning them this soon in the first place.

In my career, I have worked for a couple of start-ups. I can say there's a lot of excitement that spills into overly optimistic event planning. Then the real work leads into challenges and other urgent activities. It's absolutely normal to make adjustments and be sure that you remain focused on the correct priorities. Slate Auto has a finite amount of staff and capital. I believe they are focusing on the correct priorities of engineering and production set-up tasks. Public appearances to satisfy (or even intensify) our curiosities simply do not justify taking resources away from important tasks.

 

[Sparkie]

Apparently Slate is not skimping on salaries:

Considering that Slate is not tech loaded (in their own words) that salary seems generous.r

I have written software drivers that need to connect to hardware and electronic test equipment.

Even if though Slate does not have an infotainment console (a great cost reduction strategy), the Blank Slate still needs a computerized controller to carefully manage the battery to motor (and regenerative braking) exchange of energy. That will need to be developed in-house by Slate Auto.

Every other EV auto maker needed to do the same development. I do not think Tesla, Ford, Rivian, or any other maker will license that tech to Slate Auto.

I hope Slate has some other incentives to attract the right man or woman for this critical role.

 

[ucfknights123]

They were probably surprised during the unveiling that people were asking so many technical questions and realized they need to be able to talk price. Being over a year out, not being able to give a price, and still working on the final design isn't a good recipe for success.

 

[ucfknights123]

Apparently Slate is not skimping on salaries:

Considering that Slate is not tech loaded (in their own words) that salary seems generous.r

Seattle and head of software, that's the minimum they need to pay to find someone qualified.

 

[cadblu]

Agreed that focusing on priorities like engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality is paramount. However, publicizing events that never materialize is not building credibility from a public relations perspective.

Like many here, I’ve been in a highly responsible corporate position for many years. Have you ever promised your general manager that you would handle a project and published specific timelines and then just pulled the plug? How did that work out?

Yet I’m sure the decision to cancel June events was a team decision up to the CEO. I respect the call and will just wait patiently.