Actively considering cancelling reservation.

[Bayfire2441]

I feel like its good for Slate to know why people cancel even if they can't do much about the expired credit. I don't see myself canceling until we see a final product out and in reviewers hands. The price is nice but I'm mainly here for a new, repairable EV. Having a newer Hyundai and knowing their reputation going into it, the 2.5L Theta III has served me well so far. It's all the extras that have failed me. Like no way to turn off the cargo light, or the motor dying in the locking gas cap leaving me unable to get gas. Or the manual having the wrong location for the battery and telling one to go to the dealership for everything.

 

[Luxrage]

^ This exactly, Slate's taking a big gamble de-contenting the truck the way it is, and I think it's good to see what does and does not attract people to it. Especially in the EV market where up until now most modern EVs are loaded with tech and features and some buyers expect that. Slate needs to know what is the make or break for potential customers.

I could see down the line discount packages for certain bundles of add-ons that they would just send in one group.

Now I certainly don't care about blind spot monitoring, but the 30+ year old power mirrors in my car still work just fine and wouldn't be a turn-off if they were cheap enough. Actually the only things I've ever had go wrong with any power mirrors is the glass straight up falling off and the power folding mirrors fail (both issues on opposite side mirrors of the same Volkswagen).

 

[cadblu]

Actually the only things I've ever had go wrong with any power mirrors is the glass straight up falling off and the power folding mirrors fail (both issues on opposite side mirrors of the same Volkswagen).

Yes, and in cold, snowy climates, the power folding mirrors do not like ice. The northeast is getting a fresh dose of snow today, and the good news is I'm staying off the roads. Not looking forward to seeing the actuator struggle when it tries to unfold the mirror tomorrow. I forgot to disable that feature before the snowstorm...

 

[sodamo]

I think it would be very informative to see an accurate list of why people are considering cancelling. Maybe even a poll that shows reason and number.

my memory, no particular order:
loss of $7500 incentive, price unknown
can get more goodies in small ICE (non truck)
can get low cost non truck used EV or something like a new Leaf
can get comparable cost ICE truck, (better towing)
can buy a used EV truck at acceptable price (but not small)
range concern, both natural and temp related
no, AWD, bench seat, choice of paint color not wrap, any number of wish items not offered in original announcement.
extended battery (other accessories) will cost too much- still unknown

from my aging memory, I suspect many have little to do with known facts when reserving.

Personally, I reserved a low cost, small, EV, Truck. As long at it meets that criterial and delivery is in reasonable time frame, I’m getting it. Likely I’ll incur additional $2500 for delivery, if the non seat, rollbar topper is too pricey then it’s third party. A bit better range would be nice, but I can adjust. There is no new economical, small, EV truck on the market currently or in foreseeable future. I don’t need nor want another ICE truck. The alternative to my current Tundra was another Ridgeline, but Dealer blew it. I don’t want a non Truck EV,. I don’t want a full sized used EV truck. Only Slate matches my criteria.
Build it, deliver it, I’ll enjoy it.

 

[KevinRS]

For me it's:
1. low cost
2. EV
3. Truck
4. Small, partly because large would likely kill the low cost, and cost more to charge.
If I have to, I'll shop a used EV, there is still an incentive here for those, but I'd like to have a truck bed so I could do things like bring home some lumber for a project on a whim without having to pay for delivery or rent a truck.

 

[SparkYellow]

It is good to know that used EVs are more affordable now. This discussion helps me decide to fix up an old car that is not running. If anything happens to my daily driver before Slate is ready, I will have a backup car to hold me over.

I have done what I can to fix a persistent misfiring on the R56 before it refused to start. Will have it towed to a local specialist for repair. I really need my next car to be easier to work on and not under the traditional manufacturer/dealership structure. 😅

 

[SparkYellow]

...
but I'd like to have a truck bed so I could do things like bring home some lumber for a project on a whim without having to pay for delivery or rent a truck.

Same here! Lumber from HD and all sorts of goodies on FB marketplace... 😂 My small cars have been holding me back.

 

[atreis]

I cancelled mine. I want a flat-towable BEV and Slate was originally considering supporting that use. They decided recently to not support it, officially, and let me know in email. That was very nice of them to let me know, but alas, the truck no longer meets my needs.

Now I'm waiting to see if Telo delivers on flat-towability, as they currently claim...

 

[KevinRS]

I cancelled mine. I want a flat-towable BEV and Slate was originally considering supporting that use. They decided recently to not support it, officially, and let me know in email. That was very nice of them to let me know, but alas, the truck no longer meets my needs.

Now I'm waiting to see if Telo delivers on flat-towability, as they currently claim...

I wouldn't count on Telo, their plan is to move slow, and even when they do start selling, sell in small numbers.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Haven't cancelled mine yet, partly because I find the Slate journey interesting, and I want to signal support. Nice to have that reservation-holder connection and get early information from them. Honestly, I'm probably too frigging lazy to ever cancel it.

Win or lose, Slate is a noble concept. Hope they're "the little engine that could". Who would not support the stated concept of "simpl, affordable,electric vehicles, built in the USA, with American parts, by Americans, for Americans"?

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I wouldn't count on Telo, their plan is to move slow, and even when they do start selling, sell in small numbers.

I get the same vibe from Telo. I think they're going to make it, but at a very relaxed scale and pace, for relatively affluent buyers. I truly believe Telo will be the "it" car in California for many years. That said, if Slate has tough sledding at $700 million in capital, Telo has it orders of magnitude harder at $27 million capital.

 

[zipn]

I cancelled mine. I want a flat-towable BEV and Slate was originally considering supporting that use. They decided recently to not support it, officially, and let me know in email. That was very nice of them to let me know, but alas, the truck no longer meets my needs.

Now I'm waiting to see if Telo delivers on flat-towability, as they currently claim...

How quickly did you see the refund? Thanks.

 

[KevinRS]

I get the same vibe from Telo. I think they're going to make it, but at a very relaxed scale and pace, for relatively affluent buyers. I truly believe Telo will be the "it" car in California for many years. That said, if Slate has tough sledding at $700 million in capital, Telo has it orders of magnitude harder at $27 million capital.

I think they may keep the volume so low that it won't be an "it" anything because it will be so rare to see one in the wild. Hype will run down if they can't get them on the street in sufficient numbers.

 

[E90400K]

I cancelled mine. I want a flat-towable BEV and Slate was originally considering supporting that use. They decided recently to not support it, officially, and let me know in email. That was very nice of them to let me know, but alas, the truck no longer meets my needs.

Now I'm waiting to see if Telo delivers on flat-towability, as they currently claim...

Too bad Slate will not engineer optional rear locking hubs. Such a simple solution.

 

[ValkorTheOptimistic]

I reserved my Slate because
1. Truck
2. EV
3. Small
4. Economical (mid 20’s price)

All of that, but above all, SIMPLE.
Part of the reason I'm driving a car pushing 20 years old is that I DON'T want to deal with all the fancy computerized, automated, screen controlled stuff I see these days. When I was younger, I thought I wanted a spaceship. Now, I've been in newer cars, and even tried to drive them, and I see them binging and bonging, and flashing their giant complicated touch screen computers at me when I'm trying to drive , or even trying to jerk the wheel out of my hands, and I say no thanks.