Blank slate narrative is a mistake, and that needs to change

[sidneyhornblower]

Recent Jay Leno episode... hey had to defend themself against the most friendly host they can ever have.

Your observation has merit. While I enjoyed seeing the slate in someone's hands, and I hope the Leno episode got Slate exposed to people who've never heard the name, I can't help but see it as a missed opportunity, or at least one that could have been so much better than it was.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I believe irresistably low cost is the only way Slate sells stripped vehicles at scale. All the other advertising pitches are just fluff.

I actually owned two Slates for ten years and 100,000 miles each. They were stripped Ford Rangers, with a 140HP 4 cylinder engine, two-door single cabs, manual shift. Roll up windows - yes, roll up windows. I paid $15,000-ish for them.

Those two Rangers, fellow forum members, were essentially the Slates of their time. And they had a single selling point. Price. And price. And price.

So Slate can advertise and gaslight and sell narratives all they want. But people will buy a cheap stripper truck that is really poor at doing truck things for a single reason. Because it's irresistably cheap. And I wager the people at Slate already know that.

 

[sodamo]

I believe irresistably low cost is the only way Slate sells stripped vehicles at scale. All the other advertising pitches are just fluff.

I actually owned two Slates for ten years and 100,000 miles each. They were stripped Ford Rangers, with a 140HP 4 cylinder engine, two-door single cabs, manual shift. Roll up windows - yes, roll up windows. I paid $15,000-ish for them.

Those two Rangers, fellow forum members, were essentially the Slates of their time. And they had a single selling point. Price. And price. And price.

So Slate can advertise and gaslight and sell narratives all they want. But people will buy a cheap stripper truck that is really poor at doing truck things for a single reason. Because it's irresistably cheap. And I wager the people at Slate already know that.

Nope. i don’t see the Slate as irresistibly cheap, comparably so maybe, but also, EV, small 2 door factor, can do the truck things I want, DIY customizable. Take away any one of those and I lose interest. Current expected price not low enough to negate the other factors. I believe that is true for many if not most.

Rereading your Ranger portion, as I recall, Ranger wasn’t the only option in that form factor, price range and why I had Toyotas.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

My point wasn't that Slate is cheap. My point was that Slate has to be cheap. Very different statements.

When I think about Slate pricing, my mind wanders to resale value and depreciation. I wonder what Slates will be going for used after two years. That's gonna be even more interesting than the new price.

I would give anything to be a fly on the wall in the Slate offices, as they discuss how they will price the vehicle. They have access to markets studies, user clinics, etc. Actual data.

 

[AZFox]

Be sure to take all of the aspects of cost-of-ownership into account.

When I did some research and calculations I figured out the Slate could possibly save me about $1,000 per year (or more) in operating cost compared to similarly-priced Transportation Appliances. YMMV.

 

[RagedCarrott]

My Rivian doesn’t have AM radio 🤷‍♂️.
Shoot, my 88 Ford Ranger didn’t even come with a radio from the factory. It was an option!
I prefer the ability to add what I want and not be pushed into what I don’t need.

 

[sodamo]

Be sure to take all of the aspects of cost-of-ownership into account.

When I did some research and calculations I figured out the Slate could possibly save me about $1,000 per year (or more) in operating cost compared to similarly-priced Transportation Appliances. YMMV.

I compared to my Tundra. Average $100/month just in gas.

 

[ryun]

Disagree, should that happen 95% of coverage would be “$20k Slate now $50k. Or some such foolishness.

That is going to happen regardless.

 

[MotoGary]

Food for thought: Thousands of people in my area will spend $30K+ without hesitation or complaint for this. It's the best-selling UTV in the US.

90% of the time they just ride it around the neighborhood. Occasionally they haul it on a $4,000+ trailer for maybe 5-10 outings a year.

And we're complaining about no AM radio in a $25,000 EV Truck?

 

[SichuanHot]

I believe irresistably low cost is the only way Slate sells stripped vehicles at scale. All the other advertising pitches are just fluff.

I actually owned two Slates for ten years and 100,000 miles each. They were stripped Ford Rangers, with a 140HP 4 cylinder engine, two-door single cabs, manual shift. Roll up windows - yes, roll up windows. I paid $15,000-ish for them.

Those two Rangers, fellow forum members, were essentially the Slates of their time. And they had a single selling point. Price. And price. And price.

So Slate can advertise and gaslight and sell narratives all they want. But people will buy a cheap stripper truck that is really poor at doing truck things for a single reason. Because it's irresistably cheap. And I wager the people at Slate already know that.

You hit the nail on the head. The price is what initially grabbed my attention and interest in the Slate. The lack of features makes sense for a barebones transportation tool given it's priced accordingly. I'm sure many could compromise with no radio, no power windows, no sound insulation, halogen headlights, no speakers, no seat cushions, etc as long as it's priced under $20k. Unfortunately we already know that ship has sailed and the base Slate is likely to be in the upper 20s to probably touching 30k.

Food for thought: Thousands of people in my area will spend $30K+ without hesitation or complaint for this. It's the best-selling UTV in the US.

90% of the time they just ride it around the neighborhood. Occasionally they haul it on a $4,000+ trailer for maybe 5-10 outings a year.

And we're complaining about no AM radio in a $25,000 EV Truck?

Different markets. You're comparing something meant to be a toy for people who can afford something like splurging on a Corvette while having several other vehicles in their driveway. Slate is trying to be a daily driveable EV for people to commute through town to do their daily tasks.

 

[AZFox]

Different markets. You're comparing something meant to be a toy for people who can afford something like splurging on a Corvette while having several other vehicles in their driveway. Slate is trying to be a daily driveable EV for people to commute through town to do their daily tasks.

Someone who can afford to buy a Corvette or side-by-side as a toy can afford to buy their teenager a. Slate for commuting through town and doing daily tasks.

All the better, the teen can customize it, which teens are wont to do.

 

[SichuanHot]

Someone who can afford to buy a Corvette or side-by-side as a toy can afford to buy their teenager a. Slate for commuting through town and doing daily tasks.

All the better, the teen can customize it, which teens are wont to do.

Sure, and in the same vein that same family can buy their kid a new Rivian R2, Porsche Taycan, or Tesla Model Y. People who are well off have many options and the Slate isn't going to be on their main radar.

However, for someone with more modest means who's in the market for something new but can still hold out on driving their older car, the price is much more of a deal and why it makes no sense to compare a toy (side by sides and other off road toys) to a something that's being sold as a Honda Civic replacement.

 

[AZFox]

Sure, and in the same vein that same family can buy their kid a new Rivian R2, Porsche Taycan, or Tesla Model Y. People who are well off have many options and the Slate isn't going to be on their main radar.

We don't need to agree here.

I think people who are well off have wide-sweeping radar and their teens have radar as well.

Slate Auto has talked a lot about the Truck being a good first car for new drivers, including in the recent Bloomberg video, which was watched by a lot of people who can afford Corvettes but wouldn't buy one for their 16-year-old.

 

[SichuanHot]

We don't need to agree here.

I think people who are well off have wide-sweeping radar and their teens have radar as well.

Slate Auto has talked a lot about the Truck being a good first car for new drivers, including in the recent Bloomberg video, which was watched by a lot of people who can afford Corvettes but wouldn't buy one for their 16-year-old.

That's what the marketing and media pundits say, but whether it will be is to be determined. As it stands right now, Slate has already failed on the price factor, which was its main selling point. When it starts being cross shopped with used Teslas, new Civics, Corollas, Elantras, or whatever else make for great first cars for new drivers that parents are willing to buy, there's a lot of competition.

 

[metroshot]

.....When it starts being cross shopped with used Teslas, new Civics, Corollas, Elantras, or whatever else make for great first cars for new drivers that parents are willing to buy, there's a lot of competition.

Not really, I would never buy a Tesla new or used - yechhh.

New sedans - nope - CUV or SUV or truck please.

Slate has a great price point considering it's better than the Chevy Bolt EUV at $35,000.

Maybe if the Chinese EV cars under $20K can make it into the US, that would be the best price point!