Value Proposition for SUV options?

[BeachHead]

I'm considering the squareback suv version. I wonder how bad the $5K add on actually is. If you figure $1K per airbag, $500 for the roll bar, $1K for the seat, $500 for the seatbelts, piece of carpet, and various hardware, that leaves about $1K for liability insurance (gotta plan for those looking at the accident lottery that are sure to pop up) and profit per unit. Yes, it's more expensive than I would like, but it doesn't seem completely out of line.

 

[Kopsis]

I've always said that I thought the SUV conversion had more utility as a parlor trick to wow investors than for people who actually need an SUV. But the price for the squareback shouldn't be a surprise to anyone - Slate has been saying $5k for a long time. I expected the fastback to be more expensive, though admittedly not this much. But keep in mind that Slate likely buying these from a supplier and maybe the cost to product the rear hatch combined with the relatively low volume they expect to sell pushed the price up disproportionately.

 

[jhevil]

2K seems rich though... without knowing the why, it just looks like a "premium" markup. Maybe it turns out to be for good reason, but 7k is hard to imagine.

It looks to me that the Fastback includes BOTH THE OPEN AIR KIT and the Fastback Shell.

 

[Whitesands]

I like the fastback, but not for that price. I can get the solar tonneau cover for half that.

 

[DinoLord]

It looks to me that the Fastback includes BOTH THE OPEN AIR KIT and the Fastback Shell.

It does, - per the fastback description

 

[ReverendQ]

It looks to me that the Fastback includes BOTH THE OPEN AIR KIT and the Fastback Shell.

I really hope that is why the Open Air Kit Compatibility notice says its incompatible with the Fastback SUV! In other words, I suspect you are correct that it is already included.

I am also puzzled why that same notice lists the 17inch wheels, console armrest, and front left/right speakers as incompatible. Maybe power for airbags trumps power for speakers?

Anybody know why?

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

I really hope that is why the Open Air Kit Compatibility notice says its incompatible with the Fastback SUV! In other words, I suspect you are correct that it is already included.

I am also puzzled why that same notice lists the 17inch wheels, console armrest, and front left/right speakers as incompatible. Maybe power for airbags trumps power for speakers?

Anybody know why?

I had the same issue when I was updating something; there was a list of unrelated add-ons that weren't "compatible." I cleared it up by deleting (un-selecting) the add-ons included in my saved build. I assume that some of the things on my truck had changed, so I just deleted them, and re-added them again (or their suitable substitutes) and it cleared up for me.

 

[Shrink36s]

Somewhere I thought someone confirmed that either SUV kit is also the open air kit. It has all you need, just take your tops off. 😏

 

[ReverendQ]

I had the same issue when I was updating something; there was a list of unrelated add-ons that weren't "compatible." I cleared it up by deleting (un-selecting) the add-ons included in my saved build. I assume that some of the things on my truck had changed, so I just deleted them, and re-added them again (or their suitable substitutes) and it cleared up for me.

Thanks for the tip!
EDIT: Went back in and fixed, but it sure changed the total price quite a bit and lift kit is still TBD :|

 

[ReverendQ]

Somewhere I thought someone confirmed that either SUV kit is also the open air kit. It has all you need, just take your tops off. 😏

I seem to recall that too but wasn't sure they were guessing/assuming and the Build tool trumps assumptions. Now to find a soft top...

 

[FlyHappy]

I really hope that is why the Open Air Kit Compatibility notice says its incompatible with the Fastback SUV! In other words, I suspect you are correct that it is already included.

I am also puzzled why that same notice lists the 17inch wheels, console armrest, and front left/right speakers as incompatible. Maybe power for airbags trumps power for speakers?

Anybody know why?

It was plainly stated by I think the Brit Engineering guy in one of the influencer vids, that BOTH the square and fastback SUV kits inherently enabled the Open Air config. Which makes complete sense - the Open Air is merely the top, sides, rear hatch panels removed from either SUV config. All the structure and safety gear is fully common and in place.

So that is why it would be "incompatible".

Console armrest - I suspect this means the SUV kits ship with a console that has a USB power and vents for the rear passengers. An image was captured in a video, thus the standard armrest is redundant.
Speakers - no clue, but doubtful it relates to airbags.
Wheels -hmmmm... I can't imagine the extra 400lb of weight the SUV brings makes this a load issue.... or is it?

 

[Driven5]

Look at Bronco hardtop pricing, then consider that includes only ~1/3 of the content. Then look at any other removable OEM hardtop pricing. From that perspective, the Slate kits are downright affordable. Any disappointment is the result of unrealistic expectations, not unrealistic pricing.

The value proposition of the SUV kits was always going to be inversely proportional to how much of your interest in Slate was purely price based.

I'm curious how long until somebody comes out with a soft top for the open air kit, and how much different that might end up price wise.

 

[blampart]

So if both squareback and fastback are just a topper on the open air kit, what justifies the $2k premium over the squareback other than the rear window on the fastback isn't reusable? I asked Slate for an answer, but hope there is more to justify. Maybe break lights or other / electrical things that may not be necessary in the squareback variant? The interior between the two seems identical including the rollbar, so probably also the tail door in the back?

 

[DinoLord]

Somewhere I thought someone confirmed that either SUV kit is also the open air kit. It has all you need, just take your tops off. 😏

The fastback says it includes roll bar, squareback does not.

EDIT: Both now say it.

 

[beatle]

I know there will be some takers, but I can't see the SUV kit being a high value item from an owner's perspective. If you want an SUV, you probably want 4 doors as well, and you're better off looking at another vehicle. There are plenty of 4 door EVs.

The cargo configuration might be popular with fleets that need to carry larger things protected from the elements.