Factory Delivery option

[hbuck]

My main use of the Slate would be a Toad behind our Mororhome. We leave Texas in early May and will not return until October. And we spend the summer all over Michigan. It would be very convenient to pick up the slate in Indiana if the timing is right. That’s why I am asking. Surely I’m not the only one in this situation

Yes I’m familiar with Texas web site. I haven’t renew every year when it due, and I’m out of state. I’m sure the same thing would apply if I bought out of state but want to register in Texas. That’s when the sales tax would kick in but thanks for your input.

Probably during ramp up factory pick-up might be feasible. Once they are at a 10k monthly run rate I think factory pick-up will be unwieldy. If the factory only runs 5 days per week then that is about 500 trucks a day they have to get out of there. If they are loading on bi-level rail cars then that is about 42 89’ rail cars coming out of their per day. (28 railcar if they fit in tri-levels)Perhaps the overall height is such that they will fit in tri-levels and can get 50% more in the railcar. Also, the 174 inch length will help to get more per railcar lengthwise. I think we could get 6 per level on 89’ multilevel where as most vehicles fit 5 per level.

i just need one. But thanks for the volume info.

 

[AL-Derby]

Good question. No OEM in the USA does this that I know or. Tesla had a typical Elon huckster clown show going where they had a car deliver itself to a single customer (in Austin I think).

My car, Volvo, used to have a European factory delivery option. In fact, they'd fly you to Europe free, and arrange the shipment to the USA for you. And you got a price discount.

My guess is that Slate won't do this, because they want a capital light model. For factory deliveries, they'd need extra staff, connections with the licensing agencies in 50 states, a customer-facing facility to do the delivery, etc.

But it's a great question. It'd be awesome to get a factory tour and pick up your Slate in one stop.

I remember probably 50 years ago people talking about factory deliveries. But it doesn’t surprise me that has ended. Maybe it was just a myth. But why would you need licensing agencies? I am a big boy I can go to the DMV buy my tags, pay the taxes and show up at the factory with tag in hand. They just need one person to hand over the keys and tell me where it’s parked.

 

[hbuck]

I remember probably 50 years ago people talking about factory deliveries. But it doesn’t surprise me that has ended. Maybe it was just a myth. But why would you need licensing agencies? I am a big boy I can go to the DMV buy my tags, pay the taxes and show up at the factory with tag in hand. They just need one person to hand over the keys and tell me where

 

[hbuck]

Thiat is right. I had a 67 dodge built and it was delivered to wheee I was working. Parents paid for it.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I remember probably 50 years ago people talking about factory deliveries. But it doesn’t surprise me that has ended. Maybe it was just a myth. But why would you need licensing agencies? I am a big boy I can go to the DMV buy my tags, pay the taxes and show up at the factory with tag in hand. They just need one person to hand over the keys and tell me where it’s parked.

I just had the mental image of you being handed a key in a parking lot with a sea of identical blank slate trucks! The person just shrugs and says “it’s one of these.”!

 

[cadblu]

Regarding deliveries, I think Slate made an excellent decision to incorporate the DTC model. Although less complicated (on paper) than having a network of dealerships, it is not without logistical headaches.

Here is the scenario that comes to mind: The yet to be announced "national service centers" will be responsible for warehousing and installing hundreds of Slate accessories. That takes up valuable storage space at local shops. We all know that our local Midas / Mavis / Firestone / Goodyear centers (assuming it's going to be one of these) are only 2-3K sf average. That leaves little room for tires, which is there main business. Slate will be competing for a large percentage of the shops' storage and work space.

Then there is the training of service techs, where I'm sure they will be taking a crash course on Slate University. So if delivery is at one of the centers mentioned above, and you have spec'd an SUV with larger wheels, upgraded bumpers, and running boards, this may add several weeks to your final delivery date.

This is yet another major challenge for Slate to overcome, in addition to their main business of producing 12.500 vehicles per month. And this also assumes, everything goes right the first time. Having worked in manufacturing my entire career, nothing can be further from the truth.

 

[hbuck]

Regarding deliveries, I think Slate made an excellent decision to incorporate the DTC model. Although less complicated (on paper) than having a network of dealerships, it is not without logistical headaches.

Here is the scenario that comes to mind: The yet to be announced "national service centers" will be responsible for warehousing and installing hundreds of Slate accessories. That takes up valuable storage space at local shops. We all know that our local Midas / Mavis / Firestone / Goodyear centers (assuming it's going to be one of these) are only 2-3K sf average. That leaves little room for tires, which is there main business. Slate will be competing for a large percentage of the shops' storage and work space.

Then there is the training of service techs, where I'm sure they will be taking a crash course on Slate University. So if delivery is at one of the centers mentioned above, and you have spec'd an SUV with larger wheels, upgraded bumpers, and running boards, this may add several weeks to your final delivery date.

This is yet another major challenge for Slate to overcome, in addition to their main business of producing 12.500 vehicles per month. And this also assumes, everything goes right the first time. Having worked in manufacturing my entire career, nothing can be further from the truth.

I think Amazon would deliver on the day before the appointment for service. That’s my thought. So there will not be much needed room for storage.

 

[cadblu]

I think Amazon would deliver on the day before the appointment for service. That’s my thought. So there will not be much needed room for storage.

True, but the incoming material still needs to be staged somewhere, and not everything comes in on time. Very unlikely it all arrives at the same time as your Slate. But I admire your optimistic viewpoint!

 

[Doctors Do Little]

True, but the incoming material still needs to be staged somewhere, and not everything comes in on time. Very unlikely it all arrives at the same time as your Slate. But I admire your optimistic viewpoint!

I dunno. I would repurpose some old railroad cars and rig some temporary storage for these parts until I was convinced that the model was going to work…but I’m conservative like that.

 

[Luxrage]

I'd fully expect my local (whatever repair company Slate partners with) to be where I pick mine up. Whoever is their Slate representative will give me a quick ten minute tour of how to turn it on and off and what accessories are with it, and send me on my way.

 

[OldGoat]

The Slate Rollout should have Phase 1, 2,3 stages. Phase 1 should be factory pickups for those able to do so. That gives Slate total "hands on" ability to deliver the first Slates in the best shape. (anyone that has been in business knows that shipping things can/will show nightmares you never expected).
Surely Slate can set up pickup depots in other major metro areas without either long term leases or having to be in prime retail regions $$. Also, in being hands-on and meeting the first wave of customers, Slate develops a bond that will pay off IF/WHEN we new owners have issues with the truck. Having a personal hand-off with a Slate employee puts a strong human quality to the transaction. Much less likely to have customer post a rant all over the net.
Phase 2 happens when Slate has contracted with and properly trained select businesses that will act as depot delivery sites, install and service centers. These contractors need to be vetted very carefully as their performance will be what will be talked about in future threads endlessly. These depot/service centers do NOT need to be located (as are current car dealers) in super expensive, high traffic auto-rama type areas. Getting enough space will be cheaper and allow for expansion.
Phase 3 could be a very limited number of Master Slate stores owned and operated by Slate. They could act as training centers for the depot owners as well as showcase new or prototype products. They might also act as a "Mayo Clinic" location that one could have any serious troublesome things fixed on a Slate. Many years ago Toyota sent my goofy FWD van to such a place after countless dealers tried to fix it. The techs were from the Japan factory and knew every inch of the vehicle. Took em one day to fix.