Article: Slate can still undercut Ford's $30,000 EV pickup. Here's how

[AZFox]

The budget-minded, DIY-friendly pickup has more challenges now versus the day it was announced, but don't rule it out yet.

https://autos.yahoo.com/article/sla...ords-30000-ev-pickup-heres-how-113504604.html

 

[Letas]

There will always be some buyers for only the Slate, and only the Ford truck, but say the Slate releases at $27,500 and the Ford Truck releases at $30,000, Slate will need to dominate the DIY space. The average joe consumer will likely sacrifice the extra $2500 to have some basic bells and whistles, so the Slate will have to carve out a bigger piece of a smaller pie.

Maybe that will kick them in gear to release an AWD model. That'd be nice

 

[ScooterAsheville]

There are also mounting rumors that Toyota will show a production ready EPU, which is their BEV Maverick equivalent, at this year's October Tokyo show. They've already shown the EPU as a concept that nobody could touch (behind ropes). Journalists are hinting that this is a big show for Toyota reveals in general, as well as other OEMs.

We have two full years before all these options do or don't materialize. Plenty of time to salivate over all the unobtanium.

 

[bartflossom]

the Ford is just my backup in case the Slate doesn't materialize. And just like the Mav, all you'll be able to find the first year is the Lariat trim at 40K, or an XLT at 36. Even if the slate is 30K I'll still buy it.

 

[KevinRS]

Both the Ford and Toyota trucks are looking like late 2027 or 2028 releases, likely of 4 door trucks with even smaller beds than the maverick. They aren't even pointing at a release date to beat the slate, and they both are at a state where they could just fade away and few would notice.

 

[smoreho2]

There are also mounting rumors that Toyota will show a production ready EPU, which is their BEV Maverick equivalent, at this year's October Tokyo show. They've already shown the EPU as a concept that nobody could touch (behind ropes). Journalists are hinting that this is a big show for Toyota reveals in general, as well as other OEMs.

We have two full years before all these options do or don't materialize. Plenty of time to salivate over all the unobtanium.

Saw this today

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2028-toyota-small-pickup-what-we-know-future-cars

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Saw this today

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2028-toyota-small-pickup-what-we-know-future-cars

In a general sense, I love Toyota reliability, and so would look seriously at a Toyota competitor, especially if it was built in the US (it would have to be to become competitively priced, imo).

BUT, there's no way that I'd be able to customize what I want like Slate, so I'll keep the reservation.

 

[Deb G]

All Slate has to do is start providing us with the maintenance schedule and the how to do it, making sure it's owner serviced. We know Ford won't do that. The price difference would become even larger.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

All Slate has to do is start providing us with the maintenance schedule and the how to do it, making sure it's owner serviced. We know Ford won't do that. The price difference would become even larger.

That's a good point. Then their business margin model shifts heavily to accessories, and not feeding their own shop (the "Ford Way").

 

[MIDgrid]

IMO the wild card is how long it will take Slate to become profitable vs. the competition. Two data points (AI quality):

Tesla achieved its first profitable quarter in 2013, a decade after its founding.

Ford is currently losing money on each F-150 Lightning it sells.

Just because Slate may be able to build EVs for less than Ford, Toyota, etc., doesn't mean the initial pricing will be a significant differentiator in the market. I really want Slate to succeed and take delivery of my build.

 

[Richard Killian]

They call the Slate “tiny”. It is not . Slate dimensions are almost exactly the same as 2 door Bronco

 

[Firstevexcited1]

Hope they don't cave and add a bunch of crap....build the blank slate as is.....all the same(crept battery choice) Get the assembly line rolling! All the goodies that people want they can add themselves later.

 

[AZFox]

They call the Slate “tiny”. It is not . Slate dimensions are almost exactly the same as 2 door Bronco

It's diminutive for a pickup.

 

[Susan]

It's diminutive for a pickup.

That's a point in its favor!

 

[Marty1000]

Toyota will win in the 30K pickup market!! Why, it is trusted reliable brand. The Ford 5 billion EV venture makes little sense as they could probably reduce the Maverick costs down to 25K if they made it in South America or India or just added Elon's Optimus robots to the assembly line.

I also keep wondering how insurance companies will cover Slate truck crashes. Recall, Tesla had crazy insurance numbers until Tesla started insuring customer cars. Maybe Slate will open some insurance scheme as well in order to keep the cost of ownership reasonable for customers.