Article: "Slate Auto’s Sophomore Album Problem: What Comes Next?" -- what do you think?

[motorolas]

Topspeed.com article - Slate Auto’s Sophomore Album Problem: What Comes Next?
https://www.topspeed.com/slates-sophomore-album-problem/

It’s been a slow few weeks and I think Slate may have more things cooking for the fall. Stopped caring about the Slate musical YouTube shorts after having seen one in person.

I was just thinking what next vehicle for Slate to release if the Slate Truck is successful after 3-5 years.

The writer opines “What will they actually do next? I don't know. But figure they'll call it Slate Sedan or Slate Crossover or Slate Lunar Lander. And it will definitely, without question, be Slate gray.”

And I was thinking, hmm, maybe a Slate Truck Pro with solid state batteries or something similar that will get better range for the users that don’t want to think about range too much. The contract with SK On would continue with the original Slate Truck, and the next model(s) could transition to more forward technologies and companies.

The top selling by number vehicles are Trucks in the top two spots and Crossovers for the next two followed by another two Trucks, with a Sedan following up till we reach a “Car” form.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g64457986/bestselling-cars-2025/

Then if EV can get a better foothold, have USA be a leader in nuclear fusion breakthrough
https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/e...uclear-fusion-is-picking-up-steam/ar-AA1LgXZn

 

[adele]

I think it would be fun if they made a sports car, of course with all the Slate brand elements like manual windows, circular headlights, etc. Would be cool to see how their branding translates to different types of cars. But regardless, I will be most thrilled for this pickup truck.

 

[sodamo]

I think it would be fun if they made a sports car, of course with all the Slate brand elements like manual windows, circular headlights, etc. Would be cool to see how their branding translates to different types of cars. But regardless, I will be most thrilled for this pickup truck.

Hmmmm, maybe a way to make it look fast?

 

[E90400K]

Talking about counting chickens before being hatched...

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Slate is going down a road traveled by few, why should they change? If successful, and I think they will be very successful, the most rational move would be a 2 motor version (AWD/4WD). This is just based on comments in the forums and on you tube. Then we have something for the ORV crowd. Keep in mind that Slate is a road legal platform. What you do with it after is your business. When it makes $$$ sense, they will probably go to LFP or whatever chemistry makes enough improvement.

There are plenty of start-ups offering EV sports cars, mini-vans, crew cabs, etc. Slate has a unique system and should focus on that. I feel that once they get to production they will find many ways to reduce cost. The only 3rd variation that I would like to see that makes sense is a longer wheelbase along with a longer bed. As the man said...don't count your hatches before they chicken...

 

[E90400K]

Slate is going down a road traveled by few, why should they change? If successful, and I think they will be very successful, the most rational move would be a 2 motor version (AWD/4WD). This is just based on comments in the forums and on you tube. Then we have something for the ORV crowd. Keep in mind that Slate is a road legal platform. What you do with it after is your business. When it makes $$$ sense, they will probably go to LFP or whatever chemistry makes enough improvement.

There are plenty of start-ups offering EV sports cars, mini-vans, crew cabs, etc. Slate has a unique system and should focus on that. I feel that once they get to production they will find many ways to reduce cost. The only 3rd variation that I would like to see that makes sense is a longer wheelbase along with a longer bed. As the man said...don't count your hatches before they chicken...

They have not yet been successful nor yet failed; it's all just an academic exercise at this point. Yes, they have made a lot of progress to this point in just a few short years. But this is a huge endeavor for a group of humans to take on, let alone be successful. Asking "what's next" is so friggin premature it borders on insanity. Let's let Slate get the first Truck out as a real product and into the owner's hands so all the design and testing can be validated under real world conditions.

Slate 2.0 is going to be a design update based on the learnings from how Slate Truck 1.0 really turned out.

 

[atx_ev]

Slate is going down a road traveled by few, why should they change? If successful, and I think they will be very successful, the most rational move would be a 2 motor version (AWD/4WD). This is just based on comments in the forums and on you tube. Then we have something for the ORV crowd. Keep in mind that Slate is a road legal platform. What you do with it after is your business. When it makes $$$ sense, they will probably go to LFP or whatever chemistry makes enough improvement.

There are plenty of start-ups offering EV sports cars, mini-vans, crew cabs, etc. Slate has a unique system and should focus on that. I feel that once they get to production they will find many ways to reduce cost. The only 3rd variation that I would like to see that makes sense is a longer wheelbase along with a longer bed. As the man said...don't count your hatches before they chicken...

yeah I think they are already planning for the extra motor for 4wd.
Adding a foot or two to the bed should be very easy.

They could have made the base a flatbed so a bed swap or any other kind of bed modification was possible - like a camper or an extended bed. but then the panels wouldnt really have anywhere to mount.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

If Slate survives, I would expect the next product to be a four door vehicle variant.

Think Honda Element - a funky, utilitarian little thing that screams "I'm a non-conformist". And of course a four-door version of the pickup. Possibly a work van variant.

I hope Slate makes it. I think we could use an ornery little guy building a niche product, acting as a thorn in the side of the big OEMs and keeping them honest.

My thinking on Slate has evolved, especially following competitor announcements. Slate has to capture that "I reject the mainstream" buyer segment. Slate is never going to compete with the big buys - they simply do not have the resources. But they can thrive if they embrace that non-conformist edge.

 

[cadblu]

They have not yet been successful nor yet failed; it's all just an academic exercise at this point. Yes, they have made a lot of progress to this point in just a few short years. But this is a huge endeavor for a group of humans to take on, let alone be successful. Asking "what's next" is so friggin premature it borders on insanity. Let's let Slate get the first Truck out as a real product and into the owner's hands so all the design and testing can be validated under real world conditions.

Slate 2.0 is going to be a design update based on the learnings from how Slate Truck 1.0 really turned out.

Before anyone at Slate even considers V2.0 they need real world owner feedback on V1.0. They simply cannot proceed down the same path until the early beta adopters live with this thing for a while. Just like Apple, Microsoft, et. al., they critically need the user community to identify the latent defects, flaws, faults, workmanship and design weaknesses that cannot be replicated in factory testing.

In many respects, we as the early adopters will become an extension of Slate's team by performing an exhaustive battery of tests, except we are not getting paid.

 

[Letas]

I've said it before....

 

[AZFox]

Eric Keipper:
"We are 100% focused on making sure we get this to market"
Also Eric Keipper:
"We will have a Slate portfolio of vehicles"

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I've said it before....

That little fella screams, "TEEEEEELO" to me, but I don't hate it.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

Topspeed.com article - Slate Auto’s Sophomore Album Problem: What Comes Next?
https://www.topspeed.com/slates-sophomore-album-problem/

It’s been a slow few weeks and I think Slate may have more things cooking for the fall. Stopped caring about the Slate musical YouTube shorts after having seen one in person.

I was just thinking what next vehicle for Slate to release if the Slate Truck is successful after 3-5 years.

The writer opines “What will they actually do next? I don't know. But figure they'll call it Slate Sedan or Slate Crossover or Slate Lunar Lander. And it will definitely, without question, be Slate gray.”

And I was thinking, hmm, maybe a Slate Truck Pro with solid state batteries or something similar that will get better range for the users that don’t want to think about range too much. The contract with SK On would continue with the original Slate Truck, and the next model(s) could transition to more forward technologies and companies.

The top selling by number vehicles are Trucks in the top two spots and Crossovers for the next two followed by another two Trucks, with a Sedan following up till we reach a “Car” form.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g64457986/bestselling-cars-2025/

Then if EV can get a better foothold, have USA be a leader in nuclear fusion breakthrough
https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/e...uclear-fusion-is-picking-up-steam/ar-AA1LgXZn

I think next is an AWD Slate option for $3K more and maybe a 4 Door Slate XL that still smaller than a Wrangler with a bigger battery and more towing capacity. But for a future new model I think the Slate Coupe makes the most sense.

Like the Slate Truck the EV Coupe market is barren. I think design wise it taking inspiration from the Ford Escort Mk. 1 would make sense for the blocky timeless design they like but with the trunk style of the Charger EV to maximize storage space. Accessories can take inspiration from 2000s tuner culture and maybe the NASCAR Aero Wars. But make it fun to drive with at least 300hp. Ideal starting under-20K if slate is successful at mid-20K.

But honestly Slate’s easy naming convention honestly allows them to make at least one model for every vehicle body style. So it can be anything but the lack of cars in general, especially the lack of affordable sporty cars leads to an untapped market ripe for slates picking. They will need to find a way to make it cheaper than the Slate Truck though like if the Slate is successful at mid-20K, the Slate Coupe would probably find most of its success at under 20K.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I think next is an AWD Slate option for $3K more and maybe a 4 Door Slate XL that still smaller than a Wrangler with a bigger battery and more towing capacity. But for a future new model I think the Slate Coupe makes the most sense.

Like the Slate Truck the EV Coupe market is barren. I think design wise it taking inspiration from the Ford Escort Mk. 1 would make sense for the blocky timeless design they like but with the trunk style of the Charger EV to maximize storage space. Accessories can take inspiration from 2000s tuner culture and maybe the NASCAR Aero Wars. But make it fun to drive with at least 300hp. Ideal starting under-20K if slate is successful at mid-20K.

But honestly Slate’s easy naming convention honestly allows them to make at least one model for every vehicle body style. So it can be anything but the lack of cars in general, especially the lack of affordable sporty cars leads to an untapped market ripe for slates picking. They will need to find a way to make it cheaper than the Slate Truck though like if the Slate is successful at mid-20K, the Slate Coupe would probably find most of its success at under 20K.

Under $20K does not even realistically register for me for something with 4 wheels that doesn’t rely on bubblegum, Bisquick and old tobacco juice to keep running. Under $25K? I’m following.

 

[E90400K]

If Slate survives, I would expect the next product to be a four door vehicle variant.

Think Honda Element - a funky, utilitarian little thing that screams "I'm a non-conformist". And of course a four-door version of the pickup. Possibly a work van variant.

I hope Slate makes it. I think we could use an ornery little guy building a niche product, acting as a thorn in the side of the big OEMs and keeping them honest.

My thinking on Slate has evolved, especially following competitor announcements. Slate has to capture that "I reject the mainstream" buyer segment. Slate is never going to compete with the big buys - they simply do not have the resources. But they can thrive if they embrace that non-conformist edge.

Your post reminded me of The Saturn Corporation. Completely non-conformist. A plastic car built on a spaceframe chassis, Styrofoam casted engine block and head, low-cost model changeovers, non-union labor force, built in the Southern US outside of the auto industry rust belt, no-negotiation one-price dealerships. And all spawned from the giant juggernaut, General Frickin Motors. Wow.

Now just a footnote in the US car industry. It too was thought to have what the market really wanted. This is hard to do folks.