Factory Delivery option

[Letas]

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.

You queued it up perfectly. I think the "service centers" holding inventory, and installing all new parts is very, very challenging.

It makes sense for them to do post-purchase add ons, but direct from the factory, it is much more complex (read- costly) than people give it credit for!

 

[KevinRS]

Have a year before deciding, but I'll likely start with only some interior accessories, console, storage, maybe a bluetooth speaker mount or dash speakers, steering wheel buttons.
My thinking is by launch they will have more of those kind of accessories to choose