This is why I’m buying a slate truck

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Im a very simple man

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I always qualify that statement. For me it's "This is why I'll buy a Slate truck - unless something more desirable comes out by 2027". Important to leave some wiggle room.

BTW, on yesterday's Autoline sponsor segment - where patrons get to pose questions - I asked if Slate was a potential candidate for an OEM acquisition. The answer was an enthusiastic yes, and that Ford was probably the most likely buyer (or investor). There was even a little hint that Autoline had some "off the record" information on that possibility.

 

[Dorbiman]

Im a very simple man

I agree. The VW ID.2/GTI tempts me, but there's no guarantee (or even likelihood) that they'll bring it to the US, and also I really appreciate the way the Slate has been built for longevity and ease of maintenance. The Slate Truck just really is my speed. The only problem I have with it is that it's not for sale right now.

 

[Adam W]

The only problem I have with it is that it's not for sale right now.

That is kind of a drag. I'm looking forward to the day this forum switches from fan-club to owners-club.

 

[E90400K]

I always qualify that statement. For me it's "This is why I'll buy a Slate truck - unless something more desirable comes out by 2027". Important to leave some wiggle room.

BTW, on yesterday's Autoline sponsor segment - where patrons get to pose questions - I asked if Slate was a potential candidate for an OEM acquisition. The answer was an enthusiastic yes, and that Ford was probably the most likely buyer (or investor). There was even a little hint that Autoline had some "off the record" information on that possibility.

Ford would buy Slate only to kill it off. Ford is already working on its own smaller-size EV pickup. There is a good chance Slate will not be sustainable anyway.

What would be Ford's business case to acquire or invest in Slate? Slate offers Ford zero in new technology.

 

[Dorbiman]

Ford would buy Slate only to kill it off. Ford is already working on its own smaller-size EV pickup. There is a good chance Slate will not be sustainable anyway.

What would be Ford's business case to acquire or invest in Slate? Slate offers Ford zero in new technology.

I don’t think it’s the technology. There’s nothing that Slate is doing that’s technologically impressive. It’s a return to simplified manufacturing in my eyes. Ford literally wrote the book on it, but lost the plot long ago

 

[E90400K]

I don’t think it’s the technology. There’s nothing that Slate is doing that’s technologically impressive. It’s a return to simplified manufacturing in my eyes. Ford literally wrote the book on it, but lost the plot long ago

I think Ford could make a $29,000 2-door Ranger with a manual transmission for way less than it could acquire Slate.

 

[Dorbiman]

I think Ford could make a $29,000 2-door Ranger with a manual transmission for way less than it could acquire Slate.

Don’t doubt they could

 

[SLATEchad]

Ford would buy Slate only to kill it off. Ford is already working on its own smaller-size EV pickup. There is a good chance Slate will not be sustainable anyway.

What would be Ford's business case to acquire or invest in Slate? Slate offers Ford zero in new technology.

Slate has planned this thing out very smartly, with leadership and engineers that have been in the industry and know very well what they're doing. They've simplified and streamlined their design and even without the tax incentive, the CEO says they expect to be profitable by 2027. Within a year of potential release. Even if it takes a little longer than that, I'd say that's sustainable. Their entire business plan is maybe the most sustainable I've seen from any auto maker. It will be interesting to see what comes out, and if Ford actually has their claimed "Model T of EV's" that will revolutionize the auto industry, then that could have a strong impact on Slate's performance. From renders I've seen, the Ford doesn't look nearly as appealing to me, but I'm not sure how accurate those renderings are, and if it's the right price, a lot of people can get over the looks.

 

[cadblu]

Agreed, one thing Slate has done rather well is refocus the demand for EVs, at a time when other OEMs (e.g. Toyota) were pulling back and looking to Hybrid technology. The recent repeal of the EV tax incentive was evidence of this. Now it appears the rest of the auto industry is retooling their strategy for EVs. Time to market is everything, and Slate needs to pull this off without a hitch.

 

[GaRailroader]

I think Ford could make a $29,000 2-door Ranger with a manual transmission for way less than it could acquire Slate.

And it wouldn’t meet CAFE standards.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

And it wouldn’t meet CAFE standards.

I thought they ride of the cafe?

 

[GaRailroader]

No they didn’t get rid of them but they took away the fines for failing to meet them. They are still obligated to meet them and report their results to NHTSA. It would probably be better if they did get rid of them and acknowledge that they didn’t have the desired effect.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

It's basic, it's electric. Yes a gas small pick up could be cheaper. But, my north Michigan cottage already has a solar generator. I can make electrons, I can't make gas. I already have a 7 yo Tesla, so I know range issues are mostly BS. Grew up and lived in Detroit all my life with most of the family in the auto industry, but what do I know?

 

[GaRailroader]

Searched on, "Do the current CAFE standards really prevent auto manufacturers from selling midsized 2-door pickup trucks". The internet returned.

Ford sold the 5th Gen Ranger as a 2-door cab up until the 2023 Model Year. In 2024 the 6th Gen dropped the 2-door cab. Right now, Toyota and Nissan both sell the Tacoma and Frontier in a 2-door cab configuration. The latest gen Taco (N400 was introduced in MY 2023). The current North American Nissan Frontier (D41) was introduced for the 2022 Model Year.

If you're thinking CAFE doesn't allow small 2-door pickups...

My bad. I assumed you were meaning a 2 door truck in the same form factor as a Slate. The 2023 2 door Ranger and crew cab Ranger ride on the same wheelbase so would be functionally equivalent as far as the CAFE standards go. The Ranger is 3 feet longer than the Slate so not really what I would be cross shopping even if they did offer it as an EV. What the CAFE standards killed was trucks like my 2006 Ford Ranger regular cab with 6 foot bed. Overall length was 188, about a foot longer than the Slate which also happens to be the difference in bed length between Slate and old Rangers. The new Ranger is 2 feet longer than the old regular cab Rangers up through 2012.