CNBC Video: Can Bezos-Backed Slate Build An Affordable EV Truck In The U.S.?

[AZFox]

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Was watching this as you posted. What caught my attention was that Slate has secured more funding than I thought, $700 million so far. They'll need more, a lot more, but that's a pretty solid start.

I liked that the video asked some hard questions that other journalists have avoided. Even on this forum, it gets a little fanboy sometimes. Like even asking an obvious question will get you labeled a troll or hater. The video, using a phrase from my youth, "keeps it real".

 

[Letas]

Wait, that happens here?

Nobody mention AWD!

 

[motorolas]

Reading the comments on the YouTube clip and I’m sadly not surprised folks seem to want to pay more for vehicles.
If we keep on buying things we don’t need and are sold on things by keeping up with the Jones’s and what media is selling us, the $50k average new vehicle price will just continue to go up.
The Slate works for me personally and seems like there are enough people interested.
The challenges mentioned in the video are my concerns. Will there be enough buyers.
At 11:35, the mention of it being kitted out reaching the high $30s got my attention.

 

[AZFox]

Reading the comments on the YouTube clip and I’m sadly not surprised folks seem to want to pay more for vehicles.

My Spidey-sense tingles. 🤔

Always take YouTube comments with a big grain of rock salt.

 

[AZFox]

I thought the CNBC piece was well presented.

The production value is indeed top notch.

Go Jeff Jablansky go!

 

[bartflossom]

I have a Maverick Hybrid. I don't consider the Mav or any other cars under 30K to be competing with the Slate on the things that matter to me. #1: No F'ing Dealers with their gouging and tricks. #2 No Gasoline. #3 No oil changes. #4 Double or triple the life on brake pads. #5: A drivetrain that has 10 times less moving parts. #6: Designed to be worked on by ME!

I love my Maverick, but it's gone the day my Slate shows up.

 

[cadblu]

Another useless 15 minute video of rehashed content. Give us some new material please.

 

[KevinRS]

Another useless 15 minute video of rehashed content. Give us some new material please.

The content is going to be slow to trickle out, still quite a while left to launch. Early next year it will probably be ramping up, since they are supposed to have things like accessory prices then.

 

[AZFox]

84,430 views
1.9K likes
863 comments

And it's only be up for 6 hours.

The video isn't for us; it's for people who would follow CNBC.

 

[motorolas]

Another useless 15 minute video of rehashed content. Give us some new material please.

I’ve been thinking of taking a break from looking up Slate news and videos as we’ll get so much repeated and rehashed info and speculation. But it’s an easy dopamine hit.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Just a thought, does Amazon buy the first 150,000 for delivery trucks? Oh, no!

I had that thought. Amazon last mile vehicles would be easy use cases imo. Even easier than USPS vehicles.

But, margins would be tiny on those fleet orders.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Yes, that high $30's comment really caught my intention. It sounds like that is Slate's real business plan; to sell the gray canvas and let the owner paint it (pun intended) with profit-priced modifications.

Interesting to see how the low tech content will really sell. As a Boomer I'm for low/no tech, but EV demand it if you are to charge on an extended road trip. I think Tesla showed that early adopters liked the high-tech/spartan interior content meme. Does that carryover sans tech content with Slate?

The big screen map concept never made sense to me. Most driving is local and really doesn't require a constant map presence.

I thought the CNBC piece was well presented.

In metropolitan areas, maps that show current traffic are invaluable, even within 10 miles of home.

 

[KevinRS]

I had that thought. Amazon last mile vehicles would be easy use cases imo. Even easier than USPS vehicles.

But, margins would be tiny on those fleet orders.

I don't know that there is a better use case for EV with regenerative braking than some USPS routes. My neighborhood is 1 acre lots, with pairs of mailboxes on one side, in front of each house. So they are stopping every 160 feet or so. So they are idling at each box, and gunning the gas and hitting the brake to stop every 160 feet, every day.

 

[5ohbrad]

I have a Maverick Hybrid. I don't consider the Mav or any other cars under 30K to be competing with the Slate on the things that matter to me. #1: No F'ing Dealers with their gouging and tricks. #2 No Gasoline. #3 No oil changes. #4 Double or triple the life on brake pads. #5: A drivetrain that has 10 times less moving parts. #6: Designed to be worked on by ME!

I love my Maverick, but it's gone the day my Slate shows up.

We have a 22 Bronco Sport with 43k miles. Almost immediately after we bought it, there was a recall for the charging system (left my daughter stranded). The brakes squeal when backing- known issue that Ford did not yet have a fix for. There was a recall for fuel injectors leaking. Most recently went to the dealer for a grinding noise when turning right. There is a recall for the rear drive unit so it will get a new differential. While we were there they offered to change our tires for $1500 and brakes for $700. No thanks, just take care of the warranty work. All that to say if Slate has a competitor, it’s not likely gonna be a Ford.