Article: "Ford’s $30K Electric Pickup Could Crush Jeff Bezos-Backed Rival"

[SichuanHot]

Price will be king in this segment, simplicity of the trucks be damned. If Ford releases the cheaper car without sacrificing range, they'll win out over Slate.

 

[AZFox]

Price will be king in this segment, simplicity of the trucks be damned. If Ford releases the cheaper car without sacrificing range, they'll win out over Slate.

There's a Unique Proposition factor.

There are members on this site, myself included, who wouldn't buy the Ford even if the Ford's price is lower.

Also bear in mind that at 150,000 units Slate only needs to sell fewer than 1% of new light vehicles Americans will purchase in a year.

 

[E90400K]

There's a Unique Proposition factor.

There are members on this site, myself included, who wouldn't buy the Ford even if the Ford's price is lower.

Also bear in mind that at 150,000 units Slate only needs to sell fewer than 1% of new light vehicles Americans will purchase in a year.

It does seem that simple, but the CEO says Slate will be profitable at nearly the start. That rarely if ever happens in the automotive sector.

 

[AZFox]

It does seem that simple, but the CEO says Slate will be profitable at nearly the start. That rarely if ever happens in the automotive sector.

My comment was less about specific pricing and more about the fact that I have a below-zero level of interest in a Maverick or some other new Ford with two extra doors I don't need.

I also don't want a truck that, quoting Ford's Mr. Farley, is "fully connected, with a brand new digital experience no one's seen in our country".

I want a small pickup truck that's simple, economical, and reliable.

Ford doesn't plan on offering one of those.

 

[E90400K]

My comment was less about specific pricing and more about the fact that I have a below-zero level of interest in a Maverick or some other new Ford with two extra doors I don't need.

I also don't want a truck that, quoting Ford's Mr. Farley, is "fully connected, with a brand new digital experience no one's seen in our country".

I want a small pickup truck that's simple, economical, and reliable.

Ford doesn't plan on offering one of those.

100% agree. I want the exact same. I wish the Slate was just a bit more beefy. My 1987 Ranger had more towing and cargo capacity. Oh, and seats from the Mustang GT. 🥰

 

[ezjob]

You got this Slate! I’ve been waiting for a minimalist basic EV since they first started coming out.

I believe Slate will do well as long as they keep the price low. I'm talking $20k. Many will buy it, even if it's plain and nothing fancy, just for the low-price.

My only worry is that if the larger battery jacks up the price too much I'll settle for a used Tesla with all the features.

Even with the larger battery you won't be getting the range they are promoting.

 

[JoeBlow-Kokomo]

Fords Lightning was a hit (for a party napkin sketch design) first few years, as they sold to true believers and some first time truck owners.

Then they got cheap and started taking features out of later year models, but still selling it at outrageous over priced $$ number

So it faltered in sales and dealerships couldn’t give them away.

And now we see none on the lots.

“From America, For America”

Too late the ship has already sailed, $30k EV truck won’t do it.

Lightning was a 1/2 assed EV conversion to a gas pickup. Needed to be dumped. This was in the works long prior to dumping the Lightning.
I'd be large that a 30k ev truck WILL do it.

 

[KevinRS]

Lightning was a 1/2 assed EV conversion to a gas pickup. Needed to be dumped. This was in the works long prior to dumping the Lightning.
I'd be large that a 30k ev truck WILL do it.

Lightning was an EV that could appeal to the significant overlap of pickup truck fans, who didn't want to be caught dead in something like a prius. It was an intentional choice.

 

[TPL]

Every Lightning owner I've seen comment about it says they love their truck. I don't want or need something that size but it made me slightly jealous; I wish someone would make an EV version of my favorite car that was so excellent.

Ford canceled it (for now) because it was less profitable than their gas F150 and because their aluminum supplier fire meant they couldn't even build as many of those as they wanted to, so they had to make a choice.

I fully expect another F150 Lightning (EREV or EV) using the same cheaper LFP batteries as their 30k pickup, someday, for people who need the larger size vehicle. For that matter, I'm surprised Ford hasn't made an EREV super duty or larger. There are a ton of commercial vehicles based on F-series chassis whose use cases would benefit from EREV, and the EREV window is not going to be around forever; wait too long and there will be too much charging infrastructure to need the gas range extender.

 

[GeneralPublic]

A $30,000 Ford? Thanks, but no thanks. Common sense says take a chance on something new before buying something built to need a major repair in about 4 years. They can take their planned obsolescence and shove it.

 

[NMNeil]

A $30,000 Ford? Thanks, but no thanks. Common sense says take a chance on something new before buying something built to need a major repair in about 4 years. They can take their planned obsolescence and shove it.

There are constant stories of what might be released in the near future.
When I can drive one off the dealers lot; then I'll believe them, and only then.
https://www.reuters.com/business/au...ew-smaller-cheaper-ev-sources-say-2026-04-09/

 

[TPL]

"Could"

Also, the 12th Imam could return and endorse Slate, driving all other car companies out of business.

 

[Saint Alban]

I think someone who is looking at a Slate SUV with the extended battery out the gate would be better served with the Ford EV or even the Hyundai Kona EV (which is already out.) Such people aren't looking for a cheep pickup truck, they are looking for a cheep SUV with extended range.

In the case of the Kona, sure it will likely be more than a Slate SUV with extended range, but those two extra doors... For someone who needs a back seat for the kids/carseats, will very much want those extra doors.

Sorry for the super late reply to this but we have a Kona EV and a 2 yr old. It’s been great and one of the reasons I wanted another EV. The Slate will be my daily commuter vehicle in its original pickup configuration. I want the extended battery simply to decrease the amount of times I’ll need to charge during the week. I did ask Slate if anchor points for a child seat would be included in the passenger seat. Their response:

“Thanks for reaching out. As a father of 3 children under 7, I completely understand the concern.

The Slate is designed to meet all federal safety requirements for child passengers. The front passenger seat will have car seat restraints as required for two-seat vehicles.”

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I want the extended battery simply to decrease the amount of times I’ll need to charge during the week.

Is this because you won't be able to charge at home?

 

[Saint Alban]

Is this because you won't be able to charge at home?

No, we charge at home now.