Cargo Kit / High Roof Cargo Kit / Options and Fleet Sales Update (from Slate Portland Demo Event)

[Jeffrobodine]

Drove down from Seattle for the Portland event. As I was standing in line for a demo ride, I had a great conversation with Christian Kreipke with SLATE Fleet Business Development. He offered a lot of information:

First thing I asked him about was the cargo kit.

• He said it is definitely going to be available to everyone (not just fleet sales).
• There will be two versions, 1) the square back from the SUV kit and 2) a high-boy version that will include a “spoiler” cap to replace the top of the vehicle cab.
• It will come in two colors (not wrapped) 1) white (standard fleet color) 2) black (which will complement the slate grey of the truck.
• Removing the cab back glass and bulkhead will definitely be an option.
• There will be side window options on the cargo kit, 1) blank panels 2) glass 3) with lift struts and locks on the side glass.
• Kit cost starts at ~$3k.

He worked in fleet development for years at Ford and was very excited about what SLATE will have to offer. He’s been talking with potential fleet customers, and he said companies and municipalities are coming up with interesting uses. Like refrigeration units, slide outs, and a mobile vending machine. He said the next iteration of the truck will be essentially the same so 3rd party fleet equipment manufacturers will have security in knowing the truck design will not change (a big problem with Ford). While he wouldn’t give me a number of fleet pre-orders, he said that fleet sales will be big. He said that by this time next summer they are on track to build 75k trucks and a sizeable number of them will be fleet sales.

I’m not a fleet sales customer, I just want the cargo kit, but it’s clear that SLATE has been thinking about fleet sales from the get go, they are preparing for it to be a major part of their business plan.

 

[Moe]

While he wouldn’t give me a number fleet pre-orders, he said that fleet sales will be big. He said that by this time next summer they are on track to build 75k trucks and a sizeable number of them will be fleet sales.

What does “to build 75k trucks “ mean? “to build” 75k trucks the rest of the year? “to build” at a 75k per annum rate? “have built “ since the beginning of the year?

 

[kvermeer]

What does “to build 75k trucks “ mean? “to build” 75k trucks the rest of the year? “to build” at a 75k per annum rate? “have built “ since the beginning of the year?

If the factory wants to ramp to a full speed line rate of 150k trucks per year by the end of 2027, that's 37.5k per quarter. It seems pretty ambitous to expect hope they have 75k built by the end of August.

If they make 10k in Q1 and 25k in Q2 I'll be impressed, and even if they're at 100% starting July 1st that's not quite 75k before October much less September.

I wonder if the driver was just ad-libbing on the 150k total, and commenting that a significant amount would be fleet sales.

 

[WV Slateman]

Did he happen to say if the roll bar will be needed?

 

[Jeffrobodine]

Did he happen to say if the roll bar will be needed?

Yes... he said NO roll bar for the cargo kit.

 

[Jeffrobodine]

What does “to build 75k trucks “ mean? “to build” 75k trucks the rest of the year? “to build” at a 75k per annum rate? “have built “ since the beginning of the year?

He said that they were on track for 75k blank slates off the line from the start of production in Q4 2026, until about this time next year.

 

[bartflossom]

• He said it is definitely going to be available to everyone (not just fleet sales).
• There will be two versions, 1) the square back from the SUV kit and 2) a high-boy version that will include a “spoiler” cap to replace the top of the vehicle cab.
• It will come in two colors (not wrapped) 1) white (standard fleet color) 2) black (which will complement the slate grey of the truck.
• Removing the cab back glass and bulkhead will definitely be an option.
• There will be side window options on the cargo kit, 1) blank panels 2) glass 3) with lift struts and locks on the side glass.
• Kit cost starts at ~$3k.

 

[Moe]

He said that they were on track for 75k blank slates off the line from the start of production in Q4 2026, until about this time next year.

That’s helpful, thanks. I don’t think Slate will publish production or sales numbers. However, both retail and commercial sales have to be registered so that’s public information proxy for sales. It will be known and reported by analysts.

 

[AeroWolf]

I am curious about this replacement cab spoiler roof for the high boy cargo topper. This suggests the cab roof is removable and replaceable. That leaves a piece of bonded sheet metal which holds up the interior cabin roof material.

I am really hope this points to a future option of a completely open roof convertible.

 

[tubes]

I am really hope this points to a future option of a completely open roof convertible.

"Customer assumes all risks."

 

[RevMS]

Drove down from Seattle for the Portland event. As I was standing in line for a demo ride, I had a great conversation with Christian Kreipke with SLATE Fleet Business Development. He offered a lot of information:
... He’s been talking with potential fleet customers, and he said companies and municipalities are coming up with interesting uses. Like refrigeration units, ...

As a guy who sells grass fed beef at farmer's markets that's a really interesting idea. I currently put a midsized freezer or two in the back of my 3/4 ton pickup.

I don't have enough volume for it make sense at the moment most likely, but it gets me thinking.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

I am curious about this replacement cab spoiler roof for the high boy cargo topper. This suggests the cab roof is removable and replaceable. That leaves a piece of bonded sheet metal which holds up the interior cabin roof material.

I am really hope this points to a future option of a completely open roof convertible.

Interesting when I read it I thought it would just be like the Roof Rack accessory that connects to the cab on top and then locks into the highboy topper.

 

[RedJoker]

Thanks for the update. The cargo details are what I'm waiting on before placing my preorder. Hopefully, we won't have to wait much longer.

 

[CEW]

OMG! Well done - ACE CUB REPORTER 👍
on the spot at the right time...this is AMAZING new info on CARGO Van plan plus PRODUCTION NUMBERS !!!
Is this the Fleet guy Christopher? (I never got his name)

 

[CEW]

I mean Christian...