2026 Nissan Leaf price will start at 25,360?

[AZFox]

For that buyer, it is hard to argue the Slate is a better option, assuming equal price.

Let me take a whack at that argument.

IMHO it isn't even close to a forgone conclusion that a Leaf priced the same as the Truck would be chosen.

Here's a non-exhaustive list of reasons:

• Direct-to-Consumer model (no stealership)
• Low cost of operation
• Very low maintenance
• Emphasis on safety
• Lack of telemetrics
• Two seats (for some a bug, for others a feature)
• Utility (bed and frunk)
• DIY-friendly accessories
• DIY-friendly maintenance/repair
• Ability to convert to SUV
• Ability to be wrapped and re-wrapped
• Highly customizable in general
• The Fun Factor
• Built in the United States

 

[FC49er]

Let me take a whack at that argument.

IMHO it isn't even close to a forgone conclusion that a Leaf priced the same as the Truck would be chosen.

Here's a non-exhaustive list of reasons:

• Direct-to-Consumer model (no stealership)
• Low cost of operation
• Very low maintenance
• Emphasis on safety
• Lack of telemetrics
• Two seats (for some a bug, for others a feature)
• Utility (bed and frunk)
• DIY-friendly accessories
• DIY-friendly maintenance/repair
• Ability to convert to SUV
• Ability to be wrapped and re-wrapped
• Highly customizable in general
• The Fun Factor
• Built in the United States

For the win

 

[AZFox]

For the win

I think so, and it isn't even close.

Chris Barman says there are some people will want a workhorse and some who will want their vehicle to be a means of personal expression.

The Leaf wouldn't appeal to either of those... at any price.

 

[Dorbiman]

Let me take a whack at that argument.

IMHO it isn't even close to a forgone conclusion that a Leaf priced the same as the Truck would be chosen.

Here's a non-exhaustive list of reasons:

• Direct-to-Consumer model (no stealership)
• Low cost of operation
• Very low maintenance
• Emphasis on safety
• Lack of telemetrics
• Two seats (for some a bug, for others a feature)
• Utility (bed and frunk)
• DIY-friendly accessories
• DIY-friendly maintenance/repair
• Ability to convert to SUV
• Ability to be wrapped and re-wrapped
• Highly customizable in general
• The Fun Factor
• Built in the United States

I definitely agree with most of your list, but would hedge that low cost of operation, very low maintenance, and emphasis on safety apply to most.

 

[KevinRS]

The places where a Leaf would have the advantage would be:

• More passengers fit(though how comfortable is the back for adults?)
• Possibly more highway range vs city range due to aerodynamics
• Basic sound system included
• Known company and name brand, with established service centers(though expensive for service that isn't covered by warrantee)

That's what I can think of at the moment, and those may not matter to many of us who are here.

 

[Dorbiman]

The Leaf doesn't push the needle for me, so it will likely be a Slate that ends up in my driveway, but I'm glad to see more low cost options hit the market

 

[Letas]

Let me take a whack at that argument.

IMHO it isn't even close to a forgone conclusion that a Leaf priced the same as the Truck would be chosen.

Here's a non-exhaustive list of reasons:

• Direct-to-Consumer model (no stealership)
• Low cost of operation
• Very low maintenance
• Emphasis on safety
• Lack of telemetrics
• Two seats (for some a bug, for others a feature)
• Utility (bed and frunk)
• DIY-friendly accessories
• DIY-friendly maintenance/repair
• Ability to convert to SUV
• Ability to be wrapped and re-wrapped
• Highly customizable in general
• The Fun Factor
• Built in the United States

For sake of taking whacks while we wait for more news, I'll take a whack at your whack!

Referencing my original post- I was saying the Leaf will potentially drive some drivers who are not interested in a specific form factor - if you want a EV truck- the slate will always win over the leaf!

• Direct-to-Consumer model (no stealership)
  • Yes and no- much more convenient for the consumer, surely. But I would argue in some cases, dealerships allow you to get a better price than a D2C model. On new/high demand cars- absolutely not. Markups kill. But dealers move slow selling inventory- and cut prices aggressively. Compared to D2C where the price curve is more stable. A bit tough, because apples to oranges, but it's my opinion.
    • Example- if Tesla had dealers, when sales were slumping, I would imagine you would have had much steeper discounts than we saw on tesla.com
• Low cost of operation
  • Moot point compared to Leaf IMO- both EVs, both very low
• Very low maintenance
  • See above- only "higher" maintenance I anticipate for Leaf is on the creature comforts included- many of which will be installed on Slates aftermarket.
• Emphasis on safety
  • Slate is aiming for the rating the Leaf has already achieved.
• Lack of telemetrics
  • Probably need to expand on this one more- telemetrics is a broad term, overall some are good some are bad, in my opinion
• Two seats (for some a bug, for others a feature)
  • Yep, feature or bug, consumer dependent
• Utility (bed and frunk)
  • Initial point was ignoring form factor, definitely consumer dependent!
• DIY-friendly accessories
  • Definitely cool, want to see how it comes out. Some I feel are "gimmicky" (we don't include a speaker so we can sell you one) but we shall see in due time. Again, some will love, some will hate. Some want to make their car their own, some want to drive it off the lot and forget about it.
• DIY-friendly maintenance/repair
  • Time will tell on this one. Definitely seems to be the case, but hard to know until it is in our driveways.
• Ability to convert to SUV
  • Conversion is cool, the different form factors are cool, for sure- consumer dependent.
• Ability to be wrapped and re-wrapped
  • You can wrap and re-wrap any car. Add in easily and I'd agree with you!
• Highly customizable in general
  • You can get it in any color as long as it's grey! (Kidding, agree)
• The Fun Factor
  • Curious what you mean by that- driving experience? The fun of tinkering? Something else? Don't disagree just curious
• Built in the United States
  • Right on!

 

[AZFox]

Uh-oh, now I need to whack back!

Can't do that just now, but the overarching idea is that it's not a given that someone would choose to buy a normal econobox car from a dealer over a cool little American-made direct-to-consumer pickup, even if they aren't specifically looking for ("needing") a pickup to start with.

 

[Letas]

Uh-oh, now I need to whack back!

Can't do that just now, but the overarching idea is that it's not a given that someone would choose to buy a normal econobox car from a dealer over a cool little American-made direct-to-consumer pickup, even if they aren't specifically looking for ("needing") a pickup to start with.

Sure, totally agree.

Some buyers will be pulled from Slate to leaf, some Leaf Buyers to Slate, some will go buy a Escalade because they can and that’s what they were in the mood for today.
Competition is good for the consumer, and the leaf will likely push on Slate to provide a better value (whether that be in product, cost, extra features, etc)

 

[Firstevexcited1]

But,it's not a truck ...

 

[AZFox]

• Direct-to-Consumer model (no stealership)
  • Yes and no- much more convenient for the consumer, surely. But I would argue in some cases, dealerships allow you to get a better price than a D2C model. On new/high demand cars- absolutely not. Markups kill. But dealers move slow selling inventory- and cut prices aggressively. Compared to D2C where the price curve is more stable. A bit tough, because apples to oranges, but it's my opinion.
    • Example- if Tesla had dealers, when sales were slumping, I would imagine you would have had much steeper discounts than we saw on tesla.com
• Low cost of operation
  • Moot point compared to Leaf IMO- both EVs, both very low
• Very low maintenance
  • See above- only "higher" maintenance I anticipate for Leaf is on the creature comforts included- many of which will be installed on Slates aftermarket.
• Emphasis on safety
  • Slate is aiming for the rating the Leaf has already achieved.
• Lack of telemetrics
  • Probably need to expand on this one more- telemetrics is a broad term, overall some are good some are bad, in my opinion
• Two seats (for some a bug, for others a feature)
  • Yep, feature or bug, consumer dependent
• Utility (bed and frunk)
  • Initial point was ignoring form factor, definitely consumer dependent!

There are a lot of reasons for avoiding dealerships besides "possibly maybe there's a chance they'll discount the price". Besides, if the Truck price becomes non-competitive and inventory starts building up, Slate can lower the price to any new price they want.

Take "low cost of ownership" out of the list and swap in "BYO Infotainment that isn't locked-in". Slate's infotainment can optimized to personal preferences and can be refreshed when technology improves.

The Leaf has a 4-star rating, not 5-star, from NHSTA for these:
- Overall front
- Overall rollover rating
Also, the Leaf has rated the Nissan LEAF as only “acceptable” by IIHS for these:
- Overall side
- Rear passenger pelvis/leg
- Driver pelvis/leg

Vehicle telemetry data concerns are mainly about privacy and data security. Extensive personal information is collected, including location and driving behavior. Some people don't like that idea.

Do you want your car's manufacturer to collect data and analyze your habits, routines, and personal life? If the Leaf's infotainment system collects your contacts is that OK with you? if your answer to either of those questions is "No." the Truck is a better choice for you.

For some people the Truck's two-seat design is not only sufficient, it's preferable. My cars don't need rear seats (or doors) 99% of the time. If the need for rear seats arises, I've got it covered. If you want rear seats in a Slate you can add them, even if you start out with o two-seat pickup.

2-door vs 4-door is a YMMV topic that's been adequately discussed in other threads.

It's pointless to compare two vehicles and ignore form factor. The Truck has a utility advantage over a Leaf, even if utility isn't a high priority for someone deciding whether a Leaf or a Truck is their better choice.

 

[Firstevexcited1]

It's not a truck ...not apples to apples comparison. Quit already

 

[Mac-Tyson]

The places where a Leaf would have the advantage would be:

• More passengers fit(though how comfortable is the back for adults?)
• Possibly more highway range vs city range due to aerodynamics
• Basic sound system included
• Known company and name brand, with established service centers(though expensive for service that isn't covered by warrantee)

That's what I can think of at the moment, and those may not matter to many of us who are here.

Yeah if Slate could get to 24K I think that would be a good spot. Since at that price point you could add a wrap kit, Bluetooth speaker + mount, and probably power windows and be at the same price as the base leaf possibly even still under. While, I do believe Slate can be competitive at around the same price as the base leaf since not many people will be cross shopping them simply because Slate is primarily a Pickup Truck. But I do think Slate would certainly benefit from the SEO advantage if they are the cheapest EV in the US Market and the cheapest Pickup Truck in General in the US Market. The second one is already true, the first also being true would be a big benefit.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

• DIY-friendly accessories
  • Definitely cool, want to see how it comes out. Some I feel are "gimmicky" (we don't include a speaker so we can sell you one) but we shall see in due time. Again, some will love, some will hate. Some want to make their car their own, some want to drive it off the lot and forget about it

I don’t think Slate believes that most people will go with no speakers as their option. I think Slate is offering a choice between a Bring Your Own Speaker Option with the Bluetooth speaker mount (which should be impulse buy price point or you can 3D Print it yourself if you want) or what they are calling their Premium Speaker options. Which fits into their affordability model. Since the alternative was having every Truck come with speakers but of cheap and poor quality. Now you have a choice of actually good speakers (if you are going to call them premium they need to be solid) or bringing your own speaker of any quality you choose and is easily upgradable (same benefits as the phone mount).

Personally while the Bluetooth Speaker Mount isn’t technically a Blank Slate if that’s the only accessory you choose I would consider it still part of the minimalist Blank Slate. The only reason they didn’t include it in the base is because it’s likely cheap and they know some people would rather spend the extra for a premium integrated sound board into the truck.