A Poll on Slates current direction - has it changed?

[Moe]

If it follows the SUVs, there will not at least initially be a Cargo Delivery “Kit.” Just a factory vehicle.

Nor is it likely there will ever be a factory Open Air vehicle.
.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

If it follows the SUVs, there will not at least initially be a Cargo Delivery “Kit.” Just a factory vehicle.

Nor is it likely there will ever be a factory Open Air vehicle.
.

It’s one reason I might be collaborating with a GA homie who wants the Square/Fastback top and leaves me the seat and rollbar. I’ll figure out a soft top/bikini solution. Seems like the easiest transaction if the top alone is able to be installed by the other party without requiring rollbar.

 

[SailorDan]

If it follows the SUVs, there will not at least initially be a Cargo Delivery “Kit.” Just a factory vehicle.

Nor is it likely there will ever be a factory Open Air vehicle.
.

Yes, like all the other versions, the Cargo van is not going to be a kit, just several versions of a back cap with no rear seats.

What makes you think the Open-Air option won't be available? Isn't it still currently listed as "compatible" with the base Slate?

 

[SailorDan]

When you come to ATL in 6 weeks, all that will be sorted.

So many positive waves. Maybe this really can work.

But Atlanta is such a PITA these days that I am considering going cross-country to Raleigh. A much nicer town than Atlanta is now.

 

[Moe]

What makes you think the Open-Air option won't be available? Isn't it still currently listed as "compatible" with the base Slate?

Open Air is available as an accessory “Kit” for the Blank Slate truck. Period. I didn’t say that it wasn’t. There is a difference between that and a factory built vehicle with a VIN.

 

[SteveD62]

I have to say that my only concern is the pre-ordering of wraps and accessories, some without pricing, but all uninstalled, will cause the Slate to look less that desirable if ill-experienced intsallers such as myself attempt to perform. Teh installations.

 

[NMNeil]

I don't think that Slate has changed; but the competition has.
Major manufacturers are now, or will be very soon offering alternatives that are better equipped (good or bad) for less, or almost the same price.
Slate roughly $25,000.
Ford Fathom estimated $28,000.
Other than forums members such as here, ask someone who's looking for an EV truck which will they buy, Slate or Ford, and I'm sure many will ask "What's a Slate" where no such question is needed for Ford products.
Slate has taken too long to get their truck to market; and we're still waiting.

 

[Moe]

I have to say that my only concern is the pre-ordering of wraps and accessories, some without pricing, but all uninstalled, will cause the Slate to look less that desirable if ill-experienced intsallers such as myself attempt to perform. Teh installations.

 

[fxrdr31]

Off topic but would it be possible to have a third party module to access those features if they don't lock down the ECU if you were worried about paying the subscription

 

[danielt1263]

In their "Meet Slate" YouTube video which was published at the time of the reveal, the then CEO said the truck would be in the "mid-20s". At $26.4k, it is very solidly in the mid-20s even with the delivery fee.

But some things have changed... It was initially supposed to have a 150mile range, and be able to tow 1000lbs. Both of those numbers were bumped up.

As for the telematics module. Most manufacturers install them in every vehicle, and many pay for the subscription by selling your data. Slate will let you buy one if you want, but it isn't required and they wash their hands of it by making you pay for the subscription yourself (the initial purchase price includes a year of use).

Obviously, large fleets will want the units installed in order to keep track of their property from a central location. Much like with the cargo kit, Slate has found that some individual customers also want some features that the module can offer. If you want those features, good for you. I don't need them and I'm glad that I have the choice.

 

[KevinRS]

I don't think that Slate has changed; but the competition has.
Major manufacturers are now, or will be very soon offering alternatives that are better equipped (good or bad) for less, or almost the same price.
Slate roughly $25,000.
Ford Fathom estimated $28,000.
Other than forums members such as here, ask someone who's looking for an EV truck which will they buy, Slate or Ford, and I'm sure many will ask "What's a Slate" where no such question is needed for Ford products.
Slate has taken too long to get their truck to market; and we're still waiting.

Less or almost the same price? Fathom estimated MSRP is 12% more, and a year later. There are few who believe many at all will be able to drive it off the lot at that price, and we really know very very little of it's specs and features. It's nearly all guesses getting passed around.
Others? Bolt is discontinued before it even shipped.

 

[tubes]

Less or almost the same price? Fathom estimated MSRP is 12% more, and a year later. There are few who believe many at all will be able to drive it off the lot at that price, and we really know very very little of it's specs and features. It's nearly all guesses getting passed around.
Others? Bolt is discontinued before it even shipped.

Our good friend Neil was yanking at us. Neil is welcome to their opinion, we just disagree. We've hashed this every few weeks or so. That debate has been quiet, so every now and then someone has to throw a firecracker or two into the crowd to get us agitated.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Our good friend Neil was yanking at us. Neil is welcome to their opinion, we just disagree. We've hashed this every few weeks or so. That debate has been quiet, so every now and then someone has to throw a firecracker or two into the crowd to get us agitated.

I sometimes wonder what the motivation is: to learn and get crowd wisdom or to stir a pot to self-aggrandize? (I comment solely to learn and entertain myself, to be clear)

 

[Moe]

By this time next year, the Slate faithful who’d adapt to whatever Slate did or didn’t provide will probably have all converted their preorders to sales. Q4 at one time was the beginning of a new model year.

The question is whether Slate will continue to tell potential buyers who want power windows, no OPD, etc to shop somewhere else. I guess that depends on sales through Q3.

 

[Johnologue]

Slate has taken too long to get their truck to market; and we're still waiting.

Every implication that Slate Auto has been late or slow in some way is ridiculous. They started designing in summer 2022, and it's still on for Q4 2026. Getting a whole vehicle from scratch in four years is an engineering marvel, and they've never announced a delay from their initial projected production date.

There is nothing they could have done differently to make the truck faster. I think even if they just made an unfinished/bad product, it wouldn't have made the process any faster. A lot of tasks can't be done in parallel (or they'd hire twice as many people and get it done in 2 years - not possible), and they've talked about blending parts of the design and engineering process to overcome that. It's more than anyone could ask for.

I sometimes wonder what the motivation is: to learn and get crowd wisdom or to stir a pot to self-aggrandize? (I comment solely to learn and entertain myself, to be clear)

See, I can justify myself by saying I'm putting out better information for observers to come away with, or that it's an intellectual exercise, etc. But really, I just tend to talk at length given the opportunity. Thus the name.