Actively considering cancelling reservation.

[zipn]

I seem to recall that heated seat covers will be offered.

I don't remember seeing them in the build options. Not sure if add-on heated seat covers are as desirable as built-in seat heaters with proper dash controls. I wouldn't want anything tacked on and plugged in.

 

[Sl8rGrl]

They should have a blog on their website and post the unanswered Q&As there rather than sending the answers to individuals via email.

I believe the Q&A video started with Chris saying they received over 4,000 questions... that would be a looonngggggg list to post on their website

 

[AZFox]

I believe the Q&A video started with Chris saying they received over 4,000 questions... that would be a looonngggggg list to post on their website

I didn't mean to suggest they answer every question.

The 4K questions that were submitted give them ideas about what people want to know.

Q&A format or blog-post format wouldn't matter. Just somehow have a place to go where someone can go to find information and updates they have, but are sharing to individuals via email instead of publishing on the web.

I know, I know.... "OK boomer."

 

[Susan]

She answered the surfboard question because someone asked it, someone on this forum in fact. That may be something few of us care about, but it was something none of us or even She knew the answer to.

100%

And I liked the surfboard question. It was a serious question for the person who asked it. I share the concern about how much stuff can fit in the enclosed cargo bed. But I seriously don't care about towing.

So who's to say what a serious question is? 🤔

 

[cadblu]

As mentioned, I believe many of us who submitted serious questions not answered in the video, did get serious responses via email. I think they are trying…

Ok, maybe they're trying but I submitted a serious question. No response via the AMA or email. I’ve completely lost interest by now. If something comes through, I’m certain it will be the same scripted version everyone else receives. I’ve learned to lower my expectations…

 

[cadblu]

100%

And I liked the surfboard question. It was a serious question for the person who asked it. I share the concern about how much stuff can fit in the enclosed cargo bed. But I seriously don't care about towing.

So who's to say what a serious question is? 🤔

Agreed! It’s serious if it’s important to you. I recall the original email said, ask us anything, ”fire away.“ We all have different expectations and use cases for the truck. Apparently, what’s important to us may not share equal weight with Slate.

 

[SparkYellow]

This is the second time that I am waiting for a vehicle to be made. The first time was a $500 deposit in 2016 on a RF MX-5. I was working at a dealership and told to reserve one but not actually buy it. One was made "for me," shipped, delivered, then made available to those who missed out. It was a beautiful vehicle but way outta my league. I like sports cars but only if they're fixer-uppers under $4K. The Slate reservation is less of a commitment but with a lot more unknowns.

I have already paid for the Shine 2.0 portable turbine generator. Let me check the status on that. 😬

 

[SparkYellow]

100%

And I liked the surfboard question. It was a serious question for the person who asked it. I share the concern about how much stuff can fit in the enclosed cargo bed. But I seriously don't care about towing.

So who's to say what a serious question is? 🤔

I remember trying to figure out if it was going to fit by comparing the dimensions of Slate to those of my Suburban. I made no comment because I wasn't sure. Thought it might fit diagonally from the left rear corner to the front passenger seat. 😅

 

[null98115]

This is the second time that I am waiting for a vehicle to be made.

Me too. I put a deposit down on a Ford 150 Lightning in the first 24 hours and then watched a year+ go by as people who put deposits down well after me had their vehicles delivered. During that time I had a change of heart, deciding the truck was too large and too expensive. Purchased a Maverick Hybrid Lariat instead and have been very happy with my decision. At this point I don't know if the Slate is a replacement for the Maverick or a sibling.

 

[Susan]

I remember trying to figure out if it was going to fit by comparing the dimensions of Slate to those of my Suburban. I made no comment because I wasn't sure. Thought it might fit diagonally from the left rear corner to the front passenger seat. 😅

My submitted questions had to do with interior and exterior dimensions and roof capacity. So, almost along the lines you were thinking. I haven't had a answer by email, but I'm pretty sure that's because they don't have these things completely firmed up yet. I'm hoping that when they do, they put all the info I requested on the Specs page on their website.

 

[SparkYellow]

Me too. I put a deposit down on a Ford 150 Lightning in the first 24 hours and then watched a year+ go by as people who put deposits down well after me had their vehicles delivered. During that time I had a change of heart, deciding the truck was too large and too expensive. Purchased a Maverick Hybrid Lariat instead and have been very happy with my decision. At this point I don't know if the Slate is a replacement for the Maverick or a sibling.

It is awesome that you were able to figure out what best suits your needs. Are you ready for something smaller with less features?

I know a lot less about EVs and pickups than most folks here, that's why I am more excited than concerned. 😅

 

[SparkYellow]

My submitted questions had to do with interior and exterior dimensions and roof capacity. So, almost along the lines you were thinking. I haven't had a answer by email, but I'm pretty sure that's because they don't have these things completely firmed up yet. I'm hoping that when they do, they put all the info I requested on the Specs page on their website.

Looking forward to the specs! I need the measurement for hood and cab to fit flexible solar panels.

I was thinking that the bed is no doubt 5 ft, and the seating area for driver and passenger has to be at least 3 ft (from steering to seat back) if not 4 (our bottom takes 2 ft, legs need 1 ft if not 2.) 😅

 

[KevinRS]

Ok, maybe they're trying but I submitted a serious question. No response via the AMA or email. I’ve completely lost interest by now. If something comes through, I’m certain it will be the same scripted version everyone else receives. I’ve learned to lower my expectations…

You and maybe a couple of other people have expressed some intense disappointment that their question wasn't answered, but not said what those questions were.

 

[E90400K]

I kind of like the Slate CEO. I think she has that dry, sardonic, "keep it real" Rust Belt persona. I think of her as the Anti-Elon.

I empathize with both the optimists and pessimists on this forum. In the absense of facts, human beings will invent them. 99% of every posting on this forum seems to be invented fact. Again, because there are very few new facts since the initial reveal. Just the same vague promises, about as susbstantial as the passing clouds.

The optimist in me hopes Slate makes it to production, catches the attention of an iconclastic class of auto buyer, and makes it into a bright and shiny future as a renegade maker of "built in the USA", "back to basics" vehicles.

The pessimist in me believes that Slate failed the day the BEV incentives were canned. And all that's happening right now is that Slate employees are collecting their paychecks, feeding their families, and going through the motions until the last dime of that $700 million is gone.

I think the Q&A was a bad idea. If you didn't have anything meaningful to say, shouldn't have held it. I wonder if the whole motivation was simply to have the CEO be filmed in front of a few factory robots on pedestals to hint at progress.

A few weeks ago I went back and reviewed the video of the Slate reveal event in California.

Listening carefully to Barman's segment, she seems to indicate they had not yet planned to reveal the Slate project at that time. But it sounds like the cat got out of the bag about what they were up to back in Michigan for the 2+ years prior so they decided they needed to 'splain themselves. It's been a domino effect ever since for release of information. Social media just makes it worse IMO.

Going through the gestation period is going to be agonizing for lots of folks here on the Forum.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

A few weeks ago I went back and reviewed the video of the Slate reveal event in California.

Listening carefully to Barman's segment, she seems to indicate they had not yet planned to reveal the Slate project at that time. But it sounds like the cat got out of the bag about what they were up to back in Michigan for the 2+ years prior so they decided they needed to 'splain themselves. It's been a domino effect ever since for release of information. Social media just makes it worse IMO.

Going through the gestation period is going to be agonizing for lots of folks here on the Forum.

The CEO is in a tough spot WRT early announcement. Market forces sort of pushed it, politics is trying to destroy it. Her problem now is to drive enthusiasm for the product for the next 6 months. After that If all goes reasonably well, when production begins, it will drive itself.
There is a lot of forces trying to kill the Slate;
Legacy dealers. China. Legacy auto (once known as the big three). Tesla.
If even modestly successful, this will shake the auto industry to the core.
I'm an electronics guy but grew up in Detroit with at least 90% of friends and family are in the auto industry. They were afraid of Tesla, they are terrified by a small pickup under $30000. Barman knows this.
The Q&A was needed. If you read some of the posts appearing in here, a lot of misunderstanding about EVs in general and Slate in particular exists.