Article: Slate 'Aspires' to Launch More Vehicles After Two-Door Pickup Truck

[AZFox]

A worthy read that includes some progress information.

Production is set to begin by the end of this year, and that needs to go off without a hitch too. Barman said that Slate's body shop equipment is mostly installed, that machinery will go into the general assembly area in the coming weeks, and that it's getting ready to build its next prototypes in the spring.​

InsideEVs: Slate 'Aspires' To Launch More Vehicles After Its Two-Door Pickup Truck, CEO Says

 

[AZFox]

See also this article about the article.

Head Topics: Slate wants to build more than just a cheap truck

If it succeeds, the startup could carve out a niche among buyers who prioritize price and practicality over luxury extras.​

 

[Mac-Tyson]

A worthy read that includes some progress information.

Production is set to begin by the end of this year, and that needs to go off without a hitch too. Barman said that Slate's body shop equipment is mostly installed, that machinery will go into the general assembly area in the coming weeks, and that it's getting ready to build its next prototypes in the spring.​

InsideEVs: Slate 'Aspires' To Launch More Vehicles After Its Two-Door Pickup Truck, CEO Says

IMO if I was product planning 2 Door Slate Truck -> AWD Option -> 4 Door Slate XL -> Small Slate Coupe or Sedan with a Hatch/Lift back trunk and an 80's body design -> Modular Slate Van

 

[Mac-Tyson]

Something else that hasn't been confirmed before this article is apparently there will 1st party stereo accessory options. Makes me wonder that me mentioning in a YouTube Comment that Slate's PR Guy was reading had an effect, since one of the few potential issues I saw with Slate was the fact that at that point there was no stereo system even as an option. Now for me it's not a big issue since I use my phone for audio but for some consumers who might not even think about 3rd party options it will be comforting for them to see a stereo option in the Slate builder one day.

 

[KevinRS]

Something else that hasn't been confirmed before this article is apparently there will 1st party stereo accessory options. Makes me wonder that me mentioning in a YouTube Comment that Slate's PR Guy was reading had an effect, since one of the few potential issues I saw with Slate was the fact that at that point there was no stereo system even as an option. Now for me it's not a big issue since I use my phone for audio but for some consumers who might not even think about 3rd party options it will be comforting for them to see a stereo option in the Slate builder one day.

Problem here is you can't tell what is coming from a quote from the CEO and what is being inferred and assumed by the writer of the article. The article writer may have skimmed through the maker and saw speakers and assumed they saw a stereo somewhere.
1st party is another big assumption. The maker will be filled with a lot of 2nd and 3rd party stuff. Slate isn't planning to make much of the stuff you see besides the stuff they have to safety test with the truck like the SUV kits. Most of the rest will probably be made by others, either with Slate branding or another company's branding. We may well find that floor liners are Weathertech, bluetooth speakers from several speaker brands, some stuff from little independent companies, etc. They could very well get a name brand stereo system, or multiple in the maker before launch, with kits for easy installation. Half the stuff we see may just be placeholders, concepts, waiting to be filled with actual products that will be better.

 

[Johnologue]

This article looks like nonsense. Slate put out some news and they wanted something to put in an article in case people went looking for new articles about Slate.

"We're really focused on the vehicle we're taking market today," she said. "We aspire that there will be more in the future. But right now, we're focused on the Blank Slate, the truck configuration that we're offering today, that can be modified into an SUV."

This is the part that's based on "something Slate said".
That's not new at all. Slate leadership has alluded to future models before.

And then there's the name—or lack thereof. Slate's two-door truck isn't called the Slate Truck, or the Slate One, or the Slate anything, for that matter. It's just called the Slate. Which raises a fundamental question about the startup's business: Is this it?

I thought it was called "the Slate Truck". That's what Wikipedia calls it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate_Truck

Some articles called it the Slate Truck. https://www.motortrend.com/news/2027-slate-truck-electric-first-look-review

Officially known as the Slate Truck...

That new Jay Leno video's thumbnail says "Slate Truck"...

To be fair, I checked Slate's FAQ, and the first question, "What's Slate?", calls it "A Slate".

A Slate is a two-door electric pickup truck...

I think the official name situation is somewhat ambiguous (if anyone has something definitive, that would be helpful), but I've mostly taken it as "it's easier to just call it the Slate".
It's certainly not meaningful supporting evidence of long-term strategy. It's just confidently-delivered nonsense in the shape of an article.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

Problem here is you can't tell what is coming from a quote from the CEO and what is being inferred and assumed by the writer of the article. The article writer may have skimmed through the maker and saw speakers and assumed they saw a stereo somewhere.
1st party is another big assumption. The maker will be filled with a lot of 2nd and 3rd party stuff. Slate isn't planning to make much of the stuff you see besides the stuff they have to safety test with the truck like the SUV kits. Most of the rest will probably be made by others, either with Slate branding or another company's branding. We may well find that floor liners are Weathertech, bluetooth speakers from several speaker brands, some stuff from little independent companies, etc. They could very well get a name brand stereo system, or multiple in the maker before launch, with kits for easy installation. Half the stuff we see may just be placeholders, concepts, waiting to be filled with actual products that will be better.

That’s a very good point, if that is the case I still think if Slate is making it an easy install for double din radios. They should have some kind of mount that could be bought or easily 3D Printed for Single Din Radios. That way an uniformed buyer that is just using the Slate Builder and realizes there’s no radio at least see the option for the mount which naturally will let them realize installing 3rd party radios is an option if they want it. Then start exploring that option if they don’t want to use their phone for an audio. Also some people who are interested in Slate like that there’s no infotainment screen but might want to have a radio. Most if not all of the double din options I’ve looked at have an infotainment screen so single din would provide more traditional radio options for people. Which is the beauty of Slate you can build yours out with exactly what you want and nothing you don’t that isn’t required for the car to function or is needed for safety.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

This article looks like nonsense. Slate put out some news and they wanted something to put in an article in case people went looking for new articles about Slate.


This is the part that's based on "something Slate said".
That's not new at all. Slate leadership has alluded to future models before.



I thought it was called "the Slate Truck". That's what Wikipedia calls it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate_Truck

Some articles called it the Slate Truck. https://www.motortrend.com/news/2027-slate-truck-electric-first-look-review

That new Jay Leno video's thumbnail says "Slate Truck"...

To be fair, I checked Slate's FAQ, and the first question, "What's Slate?", calls it "A Slate".


I think the official name situation is somewhat ambiguous (if anyone has something definitive, that would be helpful), but I've mostly taken it as "it's easier to just call it the Slate".
It's certainly not meaningful supporting evidence of long-term strategy. It's just confidently-delivered nonsense in the shape of an article.

It’s all fake! 🤣

Or is it still too early to laugh about?

 

[AZFox]

IMO if I was product planning 2 Door Slate Truck -> AWD Option -> 4 Door Slate XL -> Small Slate Coupe or Sedan with a Hatch/Lift back trunk and an 80's body design -> Modular Slate Van

Maybe combine the first two (AWD Option + 4 Door Slate XL) on a
longer Slateboard chassis that will accommodate the four doors and a necessarily bigger battery.
• Second motor & AWD
• Heavier-duty suspension
• More weight capacity
• More towing capacity
• Parts and Accessories sharable with the OG model

 

[AZFox]

Slate isn't planning to make much of the stuff you see besides the stuff they have to safety test with the truck like the SUV kits.

How do you know this?

 

[AZFox]

I think the official name situation is somewhat ambiguous (if anyone has something definitive, that would be helpful), but I've mostly taken it as "it's easier to just call it the Slate".

The ambiguity seems deliberate.

 

[KevinRS]

How do you know this?

It's been quoted from slate multiple times, would take some searching to find them.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

A worthy read that includes some progress information.

Production is set to begin by the end of this year, and that needs to go off without a hitch too. Barman said that Slate's body shop equipment is mostly installed, that machinery will go into the general assembly area in the coming weeks, and that it's getting ready to build its next prototypes in the spring.​

InsideEVs: Slate 'Aspires' To Launch More Vehicles After Its Two-Door Pickup Truck, CEO Says

Interesting take on launching more vehicles. It seems to clash with this page on their website:

Slate.auto/en/one-model

ONE MODEL? YOU BET.
Yes, Slate is a single model — by design. While most automakers create sprawling lineups, our philosophy is about doing one thing exceptionally well: building a vehicle that’s durable, adaptable, and future proof.

THE POWER OF ONE

• Focus on quality: Concentrating engineering and production on one model means we can refine every detail instead of spreading resources across dozens of trims.
• Built to last: Designed and manufactured in the USA, we’re all about durability and long-term reliability, not planned obsolescence.
• Meets the highest standards: Safety isn’t an afterthought — a Slate is engineered to exceed stringent crash, structural, and systems testing from the start.

ADAPTABILITY OVER TIME
Instead of buying a new truck when your lifestyle changes, Slate is designed to transform with your needs:

• A two-door pickup configuration for hauling gear or working light jobs.
• A conversion into a five-seat SUV for family or passenger needs.
• Versatile accessories and modular updates that let you customize Slate without replacing it.

WHY THIS MATTERS
Traditional automakers often upsell buyers into new vehicles every few years. We’re flipping that model on its head by creating a vehicle that’s upgradeable, customizable, and extendable. It reduces waste, increases value, and gives you more control over how—and when—you spend your money.

 

[AZFox]

Interesting take on launching more vehicles. It seems to clash with this page on their website:

Indeed it does. I hadn't seen that.

The Rich Rebuilds video included head designer Eric Keipper saying they have "a Slate portfolio of vehicles with additional features that may or may not fit underneath the frunk".

 

[Susan]

What I'd like to see in a new model is a two door truck, pretty much the same as the original model, but with a longer bed. And with some kind of camper shell with windows. And roof rails. With more cargo capacity. Improved batteries would always be nice.

I'm still never going to tow anything and I especially don't want four doors or a back seat. Friends and family can bring their own cars if we want to go anywhere together.