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

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Questions about accessorizing AKA thinking out loud.
Will Slate deliver the plain Slate and we take it to a service location for up grades, etc.?
Will they deliver to the service location and we pick it up, after having upgrades?
Something else?
If I upgrade say the turn signals (AKA parking lights), is it up to me to sell the "core", if I have it done at a service location will they give me a "core rebate"?
Will they offer a fuse block for added connections,,,lights, winch, etc.
Will Slate come with a detailed service manual (as a PDF) showing connection points? This would be in addition to Slate U videos.
Will Slate U offer a certificate program? Perhaps a football team? "Go Grey Wolfs"
My wife is telling me it's time for my meds...

 

[E90400K]

According to MapQuest Warsaw to my home is 611 miles and 9 hours 39 minutes. Add in 8 or so stops for recharging at 40 minutes each so another 5 hours or so. Mr. Bezos can deliver it to me on the back of an Amazon truck...

 

[Doctors Do Little]

According to MapQuest Warsaw to my home is 611 miles and 9 hours 39 minutes. Add in 8 or so stops for recharging at 40 minutes each so another 5 hours or so. Mr. Bezos can deliver it to me on the back of an Amazon truck...

You'll have to improve your semi truck drafting skills....eliminate one of those stops!

 

[E90400K]

You'll have to improve your semi truck drafting skills....eliminate one of those stops!

Too nerve-racking for 10 hours road time. Good Lord!

The average destination charge for a new vehicle is $1,450. That would bill out at $94/hour for a 16 hour trek.

Jeff can send it to me with that big smile on the box.

 

[AZFox]

Will Slate deliver the plain Slate and we take it to a service location for up grades, etc.?
Will they deliver to the service location and we pick it up, after having upgrades?
Something else?

Eric Keipper, Head of Engineering at Slate, explains their direct-to-consumer plan in the recent CNBC video:

The vehicle has been designed with mechanical and electric connections that allow for very easy do it yourself modification. So the SUV kit, for instance. The stereo connects easily when you bring it in. The power windows again, have the connections. All of that has been designed to be flat packed so that it can be shipped to customers driveways. We are also working on partners that you can schedule a truck to go in, and they will do the upfit for you from the truck to the SUV.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Eric Keipper, Head of Engineering at Slate, explains their direct-to-consumer plan in the recent CNBC video:

The vehicle has been designed with mechanical and electric connections that allow for very easy do it yourself modification. So the SUV kit, for instance. The stereo connects easily when you bring it in. The power windows again, have the connections. All of that has been designed to be flat packed so that it can be shipped to customers driveways. We are also working on partners that you can schedule a truck to go in, and they will do the upfit for you from the truck to the SUV.

My skeptical buddy sent this to me last night...he BEGRUDGINGLY admitted that it was interesting. He's a Slate-nostic fellow (yup, I just made up that term), so he puts more weight on CNBC than me!

 

[AZFox]

My skeptical buddy sent this to me last night...he BEGRUDGINGLY admitted that it was interesting. He's a Slate-nostic fellow (yup, I just made up that term), so he puts more weight on CNBC than me!

Now the video has been up for five days and it has over 1/2 million views (579K) and 2,281 comments.

I'll bet Slate got some reservations out of that.

Edit:
Current top comment:

Oh look at that. Someone finally made the small American truck people have asked for for decades and people like it. I hope this thing crushes.​

 

[sodamo]

Great video 🤙

 

[mini702]

Bunch of misunderstandings here.

<edited for clarity>
Nevermind.
</edit for clarity>

 

[sodamo]

Bunch of misunderstandings here. Slate will have an office in your state where they do the paperwork that gets sent to the DMV - title, taxes, reg, lien if financed. A warehouse of sorts where they get the deliveries, prep for customer (remove the protective films etc), and you pick up from there.
I also expect a retail store for the accessories and wraps as part of the storefront.

Both Tesla and Rivian have a self-owned dealership here in Vegas. Tesla took over a old Nissan dealership, and even has an overflow parking lot that used to be a Kmart building with 100-150 vehicle in storage. Rivian is in a warehouse district with showroom, service bays, and test drives.

Think Apple Store and not Best Buy buying experience.

The final leg of your buying experience will not be whatever corporate chain in the RepairPal network. None of them are licensed car dealers.

Credible source please

 

[Moe]

Slate’s delivery partner will have an office in your state where they do the paperwork that gets sent to the DMV - title, taxes, reg, lien if financed. A warehouse of sorts where they get the deliveries, prep for customer (remove the protective films etc), and you pick up from there.

I fixed that for you. They’ve explained this. Slate won’t have employees in every state. They won’t even sell vehicles in some.

I also expect a retail store for the accessories and wraps as part of the storefront.

I don’t, at least in most states, for the first few years.

Both Tesla and Rivian have a self-owned dealership here in Vegas.

WADR, I think being in Vegas distorts your perception of the rest of the country.

Think Apple Store and not Best Buy buying experience.

Think partnered car dealer for the vehicle and Amazon-like online for the accessories.

The final leg of your buying experience will not be whatever corporate chain in the RepairPal network. None of them are licensed car dealers.

But Carvana and the like are. Are you going to preorder a Slate?

 

[RevCaptJack]

Bunch of misunderstandings here. Slate will have an office in your state where they do the paperwork that gets sent to the DMV - title, taxes, reg, lien if financed. A warehouse of sorts where they get the deliveries, prep for customer (remove the protective films etc), and you pick up from there.
I also expect a retail store for the accessories and wraps as part of the storefront.

Both Tesla and Rivian have a self-owned dealership here in Vegas. Tesla took over a old Nissan dealership, and even has an overflow parking lot that used to be a Kmart building with 100-150 vehicle in storage. Rivian is in a warehouse district with showroom, service bays, and test drives.

Think Apple Store and not Best Buy buying experience.

The final leg of your buying experience will not be whatever corporate chain in the RepairPal network. None of them are licensed car dealers.

This sounds great. Thanks. The Orlando area would be handy! 🙂. But anywhere in Florida will work for me. I see the Slate as iconic as the Model T and VW bug (my first car btw) and I so look forward to being a part of this! Thank you thank you for doing this!

 

[RevCaptJack]

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

Seems I heard the Slate can’t be towed unless on a trailer. Might want to check that out.