Simplicity!

[SichuanHot]

Nor sure this is right thread but,
I sincerely hope that driving down the street. 5 or 10 years from now, the casual observer can’t identify whether the Slate he sees is an original or current production, much like VW Beetle.

10 years isn't very long. The classic Beetle from the KDF wagon to the end of its production lasted for over 5 decades with many licensed manufacturing happening across the world. 10 year generation runs for cars isn't too strange. Both the NC Miata, Benz W201 had a 10 year production run. The BMW E30 had little over 10 years. The BMW E39 had a 9 year run.

For EVs I think the Tesla Model S is on the way for having the longest generational run with life cycle revisions. That thing has been made for over 20 years now.

 

[jonboy108]

10 years isn't very long. The classic Beetle from the KDF wagon to the end of its production lasted for over 5 decades with many licensed manufacturing happening across the world. 10 year generation runs for cars isn't too strange. Both the NC Miata, Benz W201 had a 10 year production run. The BMW E30 had little over 10 years. The BMW E39 had a 9 year run.

For EVs I think the Tesla Model S is on the way for having the longest generational run with life cycle revisions. That thing has been made for over 20 years now.

Sorry the Model S was first produced in 2012. That makes a 13 year production run so far...

 

[SichuanHot]

Sorry the Model S was first produced in 2012. That makes a 13 year production run so far...

Whoops you're right. I was thinking Tesla Roadster when doing the math and not the S.

 

[cadblu]

Not sure if it fits your description, but the Rivian R2 (coming next year) may be worth a look! $45k starting price, 300 mi range, built to drive off the beaten path.
But if the Slate fits the bill for $15k cheaper, obviously a great option too.

Here’s the latest on the R2:

Rivian has just announced that the first R2 validation vehicles have rolled off the production line. These Manufacturing Validation Build (MVB) units will help Rivian finalize any production line issues ahead of when they start cranking out the R2 for customers. Plus, one of these pre-production models is going on a public road trip across Route 66. Production units of the Rivian R2 are expected to arrive by this summer with a starting price around $45,000.

If Slate is following a similar milestone schedule, MVB’s should be rolling off Slate’s assembly lines this summer!

 

[AKrietzer]

Here’s the latest on the R2:

Rivian has just announced that the first R2 validation vehicles have rolled off the production line. These Manufacturing Validation Build (MVB) units will help Rivian finalize any production line issues ahead of when they start cranking out the R2 for customers. Plus, one of these pre-production models is going on a public road trip across Route 66. Production units of the Rivian R2 are expected to arrive by this summer with a starting price around $45,000.

If Slate is following a similar milestone schedule, MVB’s should be rolling off Slate’s assembly lines this summer!

I wonder how far along Slate is on their buildings as well as any of the assembly line. Haven't heard much in a while. Can they get anything made by Summer?

 

[beatle]

The factory video from Oct 1st made it look like Slate hadn't even installed anything yet. The Slate is smaller and far simpler than the R2. The Slate won't have paint which takes up about half the space and budget of a typical factory, but it's still not something that can be thrown together in 6 months. Maybe they can reach some level of production in a year, though I'm not sure how far along they were at the time of that video release. I would be super surprised if anything other than test mules were produced by the summer.

 

[cadblu]

The factory video from Oct 1st made it look like Slate hadn't even installed anything yet. The Slate is smaller and far simpler than the R2. The Slate won't have paint which takes up about half the space and budget of a typical factory, but it's still not something that can be thrown together in 6 months. Maybe they can reach some level of production in a year, though I'm not sure how far along they were at the time of that video release. I would be super surprised if anything other than test mules were produced by the summer.

I suspect the factory is further along than they led us to believe. The buildout will be done in stages, and I would think the subassembly lines should getting a lot of attention now because,
1. they are less complex
2. They need to feed the final assembly lines.

Assuming they remain on schedule, major subs like batteries, suspension, seats, etc. will be staged over the next few months as final assembly comes together. At the same time, the on-site warehouse should begin allocating stock locations and getting filled as suppliers start shipping components. Slate will setup a mainline to build their validation units. After it’s optimized hopefully a second or third line will be in place in early 2027.