Dear Slate - you need to show these things before I'll buy

[Snail]

I hate automatic transmissions. I drove nothing but manuals until I could ditch transmissions entirely. Went to an Ioniq5 (leased and could have practically paid off a Slate by now 😭) but the wife and I were instant converts. She had a VW iD.4 in less than a year. Even a lower power EV like the iD.4 is much nicer than ICE to drive. Virtually no maintenance, no fumes, hot or cold air 10 seconds after ignition on, you can start it in the garage with the door closed, and you’ve got a full tank every morning.

 

[s. pooser]

Don't get this thread wrong. I'm a huge Slate fanboy. I want them to succeed. I want a 174" single cab truck sold in the USA.

1. Show us the finished, production ready truck sometime in 2026, as promised. With everything working. Including the "app".
2. Test drives for us fanboys are nice. But what I really want to see is Slate delivering these trucks to mainstream auto journalists for weeklong evaluations. Because their job is evaluating trucks. That's not my job, and I'm not good at it (even though I've owned dozens of trucks over 50 years), and I certainly can't do it in a two minute drive around a parking lot. Auto journalists can properly assess it.
3. (done?) Demonstrate the financial resources and working capital to give us reasonable faith that you will be in business come warranty time. Because a warranty from a company that no longer exists is a piece of paper. Slate has said that $700 million gets them to the first car sold. I want to see more capital injection to survive 2027. Edit by OP - Kudos to Slate, as they are in Series C offer right now.
4. Demonstrate that you can sell the truck in my state (every state). Without me having to travel one state over to do the paperwork and delivery.
5. Clarify the service scenario. Show a nationwide list of service locations. Explain how service will work in detail, including your spare parts strategy.
6. Clarify pricing. Exactly. Not vaguely. And list any delivery and acquisition fees.
7. Simulation these days is highly accurate. But I still want to see those formal IHS and NHTSA ratings published after crash testing and evaluations are done.

I believe that's a reasonable set of requirements for any sane prospective Slate buyer. It's reasonable to want to see a professional evaluate a vehicle before you buy. It's reasonable to want to know if you can buy it without a 500 mile drive. It's reasonable to want to know that the company is likely to exist a year after you bought the vehicle. It's reasonable to know where you can get it serviced (and whether that is a 500 mile drive).

Assuming Slate delivers on these, and I believe they will, then I'll sit back and monitor the experience of other buyers for the first six months. I learned that lesson with my Maverick. I waited a year, and read endless horror stories from early buyers (well, actually, the Maverick horror stories are still regularly posted today).

Repeat: I'm a huge Slate fanboy. I want my little Slate runabout. I think Slate will achieve all of the things listed. This thread was just me going through a mental checklist, "what do I want to see Slate achieve in 2026".

What Scooter said.

 

[Frozen North]

No supposed auto expert is going to influence my own decision. I ether like it or not.
Just watch the review that best fit your own opinion and you'll be more than satisfied.

I respect that point of view, but I differ in opinion.

Only exposing yourself to things you agree with is usually a recipe for disaster.

We need to be able to effectively and successfully defend our stance on something in the face of opposition if we are to grow.
I believe growth requires the ability to pivot, reorganize, and change, if an opposing argument better fits any given situation, or if circumstances change.
Just my 2¢

 

[Frozen North]

I hate automatic transmissions. I drove nothing but manuals until I could ditch transmissions entirely. Went to an Ioniq5 (leased and could have practically paid off a Slate by now 😭) but the wife and I were instant converts. She had a VW iD.4 in less than a year. Even a lower power EV like the iD.4 is much nicer than ICE to drive. Virtually no maintenance, no fumes, hot or cold air 10 seconds after ignition on, you can start it in the garage with the door closed, and you’ve got a full tank every morning.

I feel you.
I have a few cars and consistently commute in an old Yaris with a manual trans because it is the most fun and engaging. Even with others that have between 3 to 5 times the power.
But an electric charged in my garage means I simply and sell off some of the clutter in the name of progress and the benefits you mentioned.
I will have an ICE for as long as I live, but they are going the way of the horse for me. Relegated to pleasure items only used occasionally for the fun of it.
The arival of the Slate will mean the departure of that Yaris, a Ridgeline, and an S60, and the beginning of the hunt for a fun car like a used Mustang, Miata, or Vette.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I feel you.
I have a few cars and consistently commute in an old Yaris with a manual trans because it is the most fun and engaging. Even with others that have between 3 to 5 times the power.
But an electric charged in my garage means I simply and sell off some of the clutter in the name of progress and the benefits you mentioned.
I will have an ICE for as long as I live, but they are going the way of the horse for me. Relegated to pleasure items only used occasionally for the fun of it.
The arival of the Slate will mean the departure of that Yaris, a Ridgeline, and an S60, and the beginning of the hunt for a fun car like a used Mustang, Miata, or Vette.

You know, Chris, I was just thinking the same thing yesterday. If I got rid of my X5 in favor of the Slate, what cool ICE would I want to fit in the coveted 3rd garage spot? (convertibles came to mind)

 

[Frozen North]

You know, Chris, I was just thinking the same thing yesterday. If I got rid of my X5 in favor of the Slate, what cool ICE would I want to fit in the coveted 3rd garage spot? (convertibles came to mind)

Lol. I just sold my 2014 X5 last month.
I am a bit of a car junkie.
I also currently have a Rav4, Impreza, Grand Cherokee, and an old 82 528 with 2010 Camaro SS drivetrain (6L LS and 6sp manual).
I've sold the X5 and my old Ranger so far this year, and picked the Volvo for my wife.
Cars are a bit of a hobby.

 

[Frozen North]

You know, Chris, I was just thinking the same thing yesterday. If I got rid of my X5 in favor of the Slate, what cool ICE would I want to fit in the coveted 3rd garage spot? (convertibles came to mind)

If you aren't a huge Horsepower junkie, Miata's are a huge bang for the buck in terms of smiles per mile, with an open top.
My favorite is the 2016+ ND but all versions of the Miata have their merits.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

If you aren't a huge Horsepower junkie, Miata's are a huge bang for the buck in terms of smiles per mile, with an open top.
My favorite is the 2016+ ND but all versions of the Miata have their merits.

My BIL is a Miata fanatic. So, there's that.

Z4 can be fun. Some older Mustangs and Camaros are too.

 

[Frozen North]

My BIL is a Miata fanatic. So, there's that.

I have had a 93 and driven every model.
I've had a couple cars with over 500 hp and even with that mind warping acceleration I still pine for the simple fun of the Miata.
Maybe with the 6.2 v8 and manual from my tired old BMW🤔

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I have had a 93 and driven every model.
I've had a couple cars with over 500 hp and even with that mind warping acceleration I still pine for the simple fun of the Miata.
Maybe with the 6.2 v8 and manual from my tired old BMW🤔

I have seen your kind before.

 

[dmon4u]

I have had a 93 and driven every model.
I've had a couple cars with over 500 hp and even with that mind warping acceleration I still pine for the simple fun of the Miata.
Maybe with the 6.2 v8 and manual from my tired old BMW🤔

I drove RX-7's for over 20 years. Miss those days !

 

[sodamo]

Could my Slate placate missing my MGB? Guess we’ll find out, but sure hope it’s more reliable.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Could my Slate placate missing my MGB? Guess we’ll find out, but sure hope it’s more reliable.

By definition, yes Sir.

 

[petefromwisconsin]

Seriously, we need early adopters or we'd never make progress as a species.

You are welcome. I was an early adopter when I bought my 2001 Prius before demo cars were available to drive, though I rode around in one in Kyoto Japan in July of 2000;
I was an early adopter with solar panels on a ground mount at my house;
I'll be an early adopter with a Slate that I hope to charge, DC-->EV from those solar panels.

 

[sodamo]

You are welcome. I was an early adopter when I bought my 2001 Prius before demo cars were available to drive, though I rode around in one in Kyoto Japan in July of 2000;
I was an early adopter with solar panels on a ground mount at my house;
I'll be an early adopter with a Slate that I hope to charge, DC-->EV from those solar panels.

Please let us know the pieces to do that.