Article: Ram CEO: Slate Vehicles Won't Be So Cheap Once Buyers Get Done Optioning Them Up

[OldGoat]

My granddaughter is about to begin driving and in shopping for a safe vehicle we (like so many) are shocked at what used car prices are! And sadly, we don't trust the dealers so much anymore. Buying from a private owner you know would be the lucky route but rare too. Slate is perfect for those starting out. And anyone like us looking for a second vehicle to replace an older "troublemaker" that is becoming insanely expensive to keep running. Slate will appeal to a huge number of folks.
Jumped on the Ford Mach E site this morning and read two full pages of posts about Radio Problems! How owners had to disconnect the 12v battery and other machinations to get their radio function back. So likely will see a lower rating on the Mach E with J.D. Power for issues having zero to do with whether the car reliably got you to where you need to go every day and how little maintenance it needed. Nope...darn radio cut out so it's a lemon. . Next I suspect (like with laptops, phones) the car companies will "stop support" for their gadgety, loaded to the gills with shimmery tech, vehicles that need updates every month so you are forced to buy a new one every three years. Yeah...I'm kidding but then again....

 

[cadblu]

We are having a hard time, wrapping our brains around a manufacturer, making only one vehicle at the factory. I saw a statement that any customizations would be DIY or third-party partner at service centers around the country. I have not seen any statement that they would do customizations at the factory.

As far as we know, this is Slate’s current position. According to Edmunds.com:

Because all of the trucks will be built as “blank slates” when they leave the production facility, installing the options looks a little different than usual.

You the customer can have your accessories delivered to your home for a DIY installation to save a little money, or you can pay to have your truck shipped to a facility prior to delivery where a professional will install everything for you.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out along with the logistics/ shipping costs for both options.

 

[SlateChick]

The RAM CEO makes a good point for those who plan to option the Slate to the max. However, even with the options it's still better than anything RAM has to offer. It sounds like he's just salty RAM doesn't have anything comparable. Not innovating in the EV space doesn't help them either. The EV Charger is a total flop and embarrassment.

I was going to get the Charger EV but after hearing the reviews, I said no way.

 

[atx_ev]

I was going to get the Charger EV but after hearing the reviews, I said no way.

There was nothing that would dissuade me (missing a bunch of tech stuff that i dont really care about). All these car nuts want superfast cars, that is irrelevant for me.

For me though, Im not spending 70K or even 50K on a car.

The first review kept saying you could get a plaid for the price. So what? If you want a truck the plaid is irrelevant. The cybertruck form factor is not great as a truck.

I like the ramcharger, it just isnt at the right pricepoint for me and it is too big. My tundra is 228 inches and just fits in my garage. The ram charger is 232 inches so I think wont fit.

 

[SlateChick]

There was nothing that would dissuade me (missing a bunch of tech stuff that i dont really care about). All these car nuts want superfast cars, that is irrelevant for me.

For me though, Im not spending 70K or even 50K on a car.

The first review kept saying you could get a plaid for the price. So what? If you want a truck the plaid is irrelevant. The cybertruck form factor is not great as a truck.

I like the ramcharger, it just isnt at the right pricepoint for me and it is too big. My tundra is 228 inches and just fits in my garage. The ram charger is 232 inches so I think wont fit.

A Dodge Charger EV should perform better than a non EV Charger. A Brand New Performance EV for $82,000 should be comparable to the current $82,000 EVs on the market or better.

It should not have 2018 Tech, weigh more and have less features with subpar operating system.

so many Charger EV owners are having lots of problems with the software running the car.

I watch those channels and if they don’t like something I’m probably going to agree with them and it’s my money.

I don’t need an $85,000 Chevy Silverado EV Truck. I like them very much but the SLATE will do fine for what I need a truck to do.

 

[atx_ev]

A Dodge Charger EV should perform better than a non EV Charger. A Brand New Performance EV for $82,000 should be comparable to the current $82,000 EVs on the market or better.

It should not have 2018 Tech, weigh more and have less features with subpar operating system.

so many Charger EV owners are having lots of problems with the software running the car.

I watch those channels and if they don’t like something I’m probably going to agree with them and it’s my money.

I don’t need an $85,000 Chevy Silverado EV Truck. I like them very much but the SLATE will do fine for what I need a truck to do.

there is nothing wrong with the ramcharger in an objective sense. It is not for you and me, that doesnt make it a bad truck

If people want an EV truck that they can take long distance without having to plan charging and that is their top priority then EREV trucks (scout/ramcharger) are the main choices. Maybe even PHEV. If they want to tow heavy loads, fill the bed with gravel, etc. then no tesla (including the cybertruck ) is a good fit.

It is irrelevant how good the software is if that is not the top priority.

tech people want the most advanced tech, that personally is irrelevant to me unless it translates to value that I care about.

When the iphone came out it was missing a ton of traditional features (cut and paste, higher res camera, non replaceable battery, no SD card slot etc).

 

[danielt1263]

Upgraded bumpers and/or wheels and/or tires should be installed during initial assembly.

Imagine the moaning and squawking Slate Auto would need to endure if customers are required to buy two sets of (wheels | tires | bumpers) to get the ones they want.

I think this will be an issue. My guess is that they will have some sort of rebate program if you want to replace some options. The vehicle will still come out of the factory with the base equipment, but they will have another "division" or part of the building that replaces wheels/tires and bumpers, for an additional fee, before shipping. Kind of like a buy-back program. That's what I would do at least.

As for the other comments here, I agree with the CEO that if you want a Slate as an SUV with the larger battery and larger wheels (which seems to be the most common add-ons mentioned.) You will easily end up in the same price range as the Hyundai Kona Electric SE, which has about the same range as the Slate and sells for about $36K after delivery and dealer fees. Maybe the Slate will be cheeper, but it will also be missing two doors.

As a pickup, I think it's a great value. As an SUV though, I don't think it makes too much sense.

 

[AZFox]

As a pickup, I think it's a great value. As an SUV though, I don't think it makes too much sense.

There's a third potential option: SUV without the seats. & rollbar.

@sodamo explained some reasons (dog-hauling and security) that option make sense in a previous post.

I’d be perfectly happy with a blank Slate. My dogs are the problem as I never taught them to ride in an open bed and I really would be pissed if someone stole one of them when parked at HD or Walmart. If the basic SUV no seat / topper option isn’t available at very reasonable price I will explore other options including DYI.

If my bike is in my truck bed I can't leave the vehicle unattended.

I also transport another person and multiple dogs in my car fairly frequently.

 

[Luxrage]

The vehicle will still come out of the factory with the base equipment, but they will have another "division" or part of the building that replaces wheels/tires and bumpers, for an additional fee, before shipping. Kind of like a buy-back program. That's what I would do at least.

This is what I'm thinking. The factory looks pretty big. I bet they roll just one model slate off the line for speed's sake and pull completed inventory to the side to make changes to the wheels/lifts/bumpers, etc. No reason why new parts can't go back into the pool.

Either that or Slate's going to batch up builds by specific large accessory and do one day/week of runs with the big wheels and lift, one day of runs with the large batteries, etc. I'm sure this is all currently being worked out internally while they work on the factory layout.

Taking apart base slates that are already assembled doesn't seem like the most efficient way, unless they just have on the build sheet [this isn't going to have base X part] and they skip it on assembly. Put em on those factory roller wheels for when they get their lift and bigger tires.

 

[cvollers]

There's a third potential option: SUV without the seats. & rollbar.

@sodamo explained some reasons (dog-hauling and security) that option make sense in a previous post.



If my bike is in my truck bed I can't leave the vehicle unattended.

I also transport another person and multiple dogs in my car fairly frequently.

Slate calls that the Cargo Kit. Pretty sure it uses the same topper as the SUV Kit.

 

[sodamo]

Slate calls that the Cargo Kit. Pretty sure it uses the same topper as the SUV Kit.

I prefer the windowed vs non windowed version.

 

[cvollers]

I prefer the windowed vs non windowed version.

Pretty sure you can spec the topper either way.

 

[danielt1263]

There's a third potential option: SUV without the seats. & rollbar.

Pickup toppers have been a thing since forever. I don't think calling such a thing "an SUV without the seats & rollbar" is useful and I also don't think it's possible. The whole reason for the roll cage is because removing the back wall of the cab reduces the structural stability of the vehicle. The roll cage is necessary in that context (but not the seats, I'll give in on the seats.)

 

[danielt1263]

Either that or Slate's going to batch up builds by specific large accessory and do one day/week of runs with the big wheels and lift, one day of runs with the large batteries, etc. I'm sure this is all currently being worked out internally while they work on the factory layout.

Taking apart base slates that are already assembled doesn't seem like the most efficient way, unless they just have on the build sheet [this isn't going to have base X part] and they skip it on assembly. Put em on those factory roller wheels for when they get their lift and bigger tires.

Hmm... Slate has repeatedly and specifically said that all the vehicles will come off the assembly line in only two configurations, regular and large battery. That's it. So I doubt it will be the former idea.

I also doubt they will have a build sheet and have each car come out with different parts attached. Again, they have explicitly said all the vehicles will come off the line identically configured. Now maybe all the cars will come out with no wheels/tires, no bumpers, and no back cab wall, and then there will be an additional assembly step that puts on different wheels/tires, bumpers, SUV shells or back cab walls based on a build sheet after that.

But at any rate, I do think that if they deliver the truck to everybody, along with their purchased options in a separate box, people aren't going to be happy being stuck with bumpers, wheels/tires, and back cab walls that they don't want. That's not to say they won't do this though. After all, it follows the model-T ethos.

 

[AZFox]

Pickup toppers have been a thing since forever. I don't think calling such a thing "an SUV without the seats & rollbar" is useful and I also don't think it's possible. The whole reason for the roll cage is because removing the back wall of the cab reduces the structural stability of the vehicle. The roll cage is necessary in that context (but not the seats, I'll give in on the seats.)

A "Slate SUV Kit without a topper" is fundamentally different from the type of topper that's been around forever for covering a pickup truck bed. The squareback version functions more like a table leaf.

If you want to be pedantic, the Slate is a Coupe Utility Vehicle that can be turned into a Sport Utility Vehicle by adding an extension piece to the roof (think: table leaf) that simply moves the rear window further rearward.

Here's another way to look at it: You could buy an 80's K5 Blazer SUV with or without a seat in the back. It's always an SUV, never a pickup with a topper. The reason is because the Blazer's removable roof, while similar to a pickup topper that's been around forever, is fundamentally different.

I doubt the removable back wall of the Slate's cab functions as a rollbar. If you think it does, then how do you explain the Cargo Kit being available? The purpose of the SUV Kit's rollbar with airbags is to protect rear passengers in the seats.

Panel Trucks have been around forever, too. Probably longer than pickup toppers.

50's:

60's:

The Cargo Kit shown on the fleet page of Slate's website is windowless and makes your Slate look like a 20's Panel Truck... I suppose because that's what it is!

👆 Could use a pop-up sunroof for ventilation.