4 Fresh Facts From Rich Rebuilds- Everything Slate Episode 2

[Letas]

Making AWD optional requires extra time and expense, even for the vehicles that don't have the option. Instead they're making the OG model RWD only.

Paraphrasing Eric Kyper, he said "We want to get this RWD vehicle to market. There will be future offerings with AWD".

"We want to make the most customizable vehicle sold today"
But we don't want to offer a very basic thing that is offered on all trucks sold....

See the conondrum?

 

[Dorbiman]

As @AZFox mentioned, Slate has prioritized the RWD. Just because Slate acknowledges ideas about a potential AWD vehicle, it does not equate to Slate spending R&D time and dollars on the AWD system.

You’re ignoring the motor shaped hole that exists under the frunk. I think time has already been spent developing it, even if it IS for a future platform.

 

[Sparkie]

You’re ignoring the motor shaped hole that exists under the frunk. I think time has already been spent developing it, even if it IS for a future platform.

The hole is up front for the same reason my brother's classic VW Beetle had a "frunk". And in all those years of production, VW never made an AWD/4WD Beetle.

 

[AZFox]

See the conondrum?

No conondrum(sic) at all.

I think "eliminating whatever isn't necessary" is in the company's DNA, and extra time and effort to make AWD optional in the original RWD Slate Truck isn't necessary.

 

[Letas]

No conondrum(sic) at all.

I think "eliminating whatever isn't necessary" is in the company's DNA, and extra time and effort to make AWD optional in the original RWD isn't necessary.

"This Truck can be anything"

Except a reliable winter driver for winter mountain drivers.

Perhaps slate should change the front page of their site. Or perhaps they don't know their DNA yet.

 

[Sparkie]

Hmmm true since it would be on the HV system but it would be the same as the 2 battery’s so I’m fine with it

In the future, I do believe Slate will indeed offer AWD.
But first, Slate must to prove themselves to the market by delivering on current promises.
I am hoping Slate can do just that -- repeatedly and reliably.
When that success happens, I expect Slate to reward your patience with an AWD model.

 

[AZFox]

It can't be a dragster, a rock crawler, or a schoolbus.

It's also wouldn't be a good vehicle for a Traveling Salesperson who drives 400,000 mile a year.

Meanwhile they're offering a Unique Proposition small truck that works for a lot of people's needs and can be anything within certain boundaries, and those are some pretty wide boundaries.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Who knew a awd vs rwd was so hotly contested

 

[Dorbiman]

The funny thing is that I don’t even want AWD. I just can’t imagine a world where they’re at where they are right now without having done any R&D on an AWD model or option.

 

[AZFox]

Who knew a awd vs rwd was so hotly contested

It seems as though some people who want AWD really jones for the feature.

Most probably don't actually need it, but they want it anyway. As someone who's owned his share of 4x4s I fully understand!

 

[AZFox]

I just can’t imagine a world where they’re at where they are right now without having done any R&D on an AWD model or option.

Without a doubt they've done plenty. Just not enough to include it in the first offering as a matter of expediency.

 

[Dorbiman]

Without a doubt they've done plenty. Just not enough to include it in the first offering. as a matter of expediency.

I don’t disagree at all. My only point is that if they’ve already begun development, then the R&D money is already being spent which means the cost is subsidized by the Blank Slate

 

[Driven5]

If Slate hasn't already been provisioning both the product and production system for adding AWD to the 2-door chassis, they won't survive long enough to build the AWD 4-door chassis that is necessary for them to reach profitability.

Being focused on getting the simplest configuration (RWD 2-door) into production to start generating income ASAP, in no way prevents them from ensuring all decisions are being made to propel them to profitability as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sure there is a not-insignificant cost to doing that... But it's orders of magnitude cheaper (and quicker) than the alternative.

 

[brian10x]

Hmmm true since it would be on the HV system but it would be the same as the 2 battery’s so I’m fine with it

No apostrophe required for plural ie: "batteries"

Forum grammar police!

 

[Letas]

It seems as though some people who want AWD really jones for the feature.

Most probably don't actually need it, but they want it anyway. As someone who's owned his share of 4x4s I fully understand!

Arguing about other people needing/not needing features is a fruitless venture. Especially when we are talking about trucks, which are the most "overpurchased" segment in comparison to need in America.

If a consumer determines AWD/4x4 is a dealbreaker for them, it is a need to them. Plain and simple.