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.