Reusing and recycling accessories

[Letas]

There's a "waterbed theory of complexity" in programming.

The waterbed theory of complexity suggests that in systems like programming languages, reducing complexity in one area will lead to increased complexity in another, similar to how pushing down on a waterbed causes the water to rise elsewhere. This principle highlights the challenge of managing complexity in design and user interaction.​

Our differing opinions lie in where the complexity should happen, either in Warsaw or where the customers live.

Maybe exists in programming, but would argue it is not nearly the same here. Centralized inventory management is a standard principle in warehousing. There are some downsides (increased freight cost, lead times), but in Slate's case the pros far outweigh these downsides.

In other words, yes it is more complex at the Warsaw location, but minimally so compared to the complexity it would add across the network.

 

[AZFox]

In other words, yes it is more complex at the Warsaw location, but minimally so compared to the complexity it would add across the network.

The Systems Thinkers at Slate will come up with a good solution, just you watch.

 

[Dorbiman]

I think Slate will roll Blank Slates off the line, all the same (minus battery). The trucks will be delivered to customers, and the options will be either packed in the bed/delivered at another date, or optionally installed before it gets to the customer. We've seen how legacy automakers handle this in the 2nd case. Take off parts are the customer's problem. Even in 04-06, if you bought the SAP (Sport Appearance Package) for the Pontiac GTO, the dealers typically either threw the take-off parts away, or handed them to the customer to deal with/take home.

Expecting them to have some sort of recovery program for semi-used parts seems like a bridge too far imo.

 

[AZFox]

Expecting them to have some sort of recovery program for semi-used parts seems like a bridge too far imo.

Early sets of stock wheels & tires could be sent back to Warsaw.

After that, those wheels & tires could be used over and over as Transport Wheels.

That way, eventually, packaged (not semi-used) tires and wheels can be installed at the Last Mile location, which could be the Delivery Partner's or customer's location.

Maybe a "wheel delete" (credit for not getting the stock wheels) option would allow you to install your own third-party wheels on a brand new Truck. Wouldn't that be cool!

Regardless, I don't think selling an EV with throw-away wheels is a good look. They should avoid doing that.

 

[Dorbiman]

I don't disagree, I just think it's a bit overblown. I suspect a fair number of people would keep them as spares or for a winter set. Or they can sell them. I doubt many would actually throw them away. My only point is that Slate is trying to run a very lean operation. Adding a slew of logistics complicates things and adds operation costs, and therefore end-user costs.

 

[AZFox]

Adding a slew of logistics complicates things and adds operation costs, and therefore end-user costs.

In some ways it simplifies and in other ways it complicates. Waterbed Theory and all...

if you somplify at the production end you can crank out more Trucks.

One way forces someone to order their Truck and wait.
The other doesn't.
That's an important convenience factor.

If convenience and fast delivery sells more Trucks, then extra cost (if it exists, which isn't a given) would be made up by higher sales.

What happens when production catches up? Excess Trucks need to be held somewhere.

We;re taking Forum Speculation to lofty heights here.

Slate will do the right thing.

 

[Letas]

Early sets of stock wheels & tires could be sent back to Warsaw.

After that, those wheels & tires could be used over and over as Transport Wheels.

That way, eventually, packaged (not semi-used) tires and wheels can be installed at the Last Mile location, which could be the Delivery Partner's or customer's location.

Maybe a "wheel delete" (credit for not getting the stock wheels) option would allow you to install your own third-party wheels on a brand new Truck. Wouldn't that be cool!

Regardless, I don't think selling an EV with throw-away wheels is a good look. They should avoid doing that.

Perhaps I don’t understand where you’re coming from on this as a whole. Slate has stated that they will install accessories at a cost at their factory before delivery.

If you want a non-stock wheel, why would you want them to do anything other than ship it to you with the wheels you ordered?

So you can install them yourselves?

If you get an “upgraded” wheel option on any car today (offered by the mfg), the car comes with that. You don’t also get the original set as well. Which feels like what you want….

This whole thing feels awfully over complicated

 

[AZFox]

Perhaps I don’t understand where you’re coming from on this as a whole. Slate has stated that they will install accessories at a cost at their factory before delivery.

At their factory?

Do you have a reference for that?

 

[Letas]

At their factory?

Do you have a reference for that?

I suppose I’m reading between the lines too much of what “before delivery” means. From a practical sense, it doesn’t make any sense to outsource these to the “field”.

And if they are, I would expect to have to eat the full cost of a second set of wheels. Reverse logistics for them would be expensive, clunky, and overall silly. I would expect to have to throw those 4 tires in your garage.

 

[Letas]

The Systems Thinkers at Slate will come up with a good solution, just you watch.

Yes, that we can agree on.

The solution is one central distribution system. I’d bet my reservation fee that the delivery partners are not holding any significant amounts of inventory. It goes against the ethos of the company.

 

[AZFox]

I suppose I’m reading between the lines too much of what “before delivery” means.

I think so, yes.

From a practical sense, it doesn’t make any sense to outsource these to the “field”.

That's a matter of opinion.

And if they are, I would expect to have to eat the full cost of a second set of wheels. Reverse logistics for them would be expensive, clunky, and overall silly. I would expect to have to throw those 4 tires in your garage.

As I wrote before, I think doing that would be a mistake. It's wasteful. Selling an EV with throw-away wheels just plain isn't good look.

 

[AZFox]

All that's happened here is I've conjured up a way to not make the buyer eat the cost of wheels and bumpers they aren't going to use.

Ship the bumper, packaged, in the bed. Allow the alternate to be installed without creating a barely-used bumper that goes to waste.

The solution is one central distribution system. I’d bet my reservation fee that the delivery partners are not holding any significant amounts of inventory. It goes against the ethos of the company.

I think forcing customers to buy parts that go to waste is against the company ethos.

We can agree to disagree and hang tight until we see what happens.

 

[Letas]

All that's happened here is I've conjured up a way to not make the buyer eat the cost of wheels and bumpers they aren't going to use.

Ship the bumper, packaged, in the bed. Allow the alternate to be installed without creating a barely-used bumper that goes to waste.



I think forcing customers to buy parts that go to waste is against the company ethos.

We can agree to disagree and hang tight until we see what happens.

Sure, fair enough. I think a pre-delivery install of these (next door to the Warsaw site maybe) solves these problems and then some.

I’d only assume Slate has these hashed out, and one of their lurkers is reading this thread getting a giggle out of our speculation.

 

[KevinRS]

The only way to get an answer soon about swapped out parts is going to be for someone doing one of those interviews with slate that we've seen several of so far to ask.
The answer may just be "we are working on that"