Ford Fathom VS Slate: Everyone's Wrong (according to Tailosive)

[AZFox]

That would be my local Ford dealership, so could you tell me the closest Slate dealership to New Mexico so I can arrange this elusive test drive?

Most people who have become interested in a Slate are not interested in a Dealership Experience, and some feel pretty strongly that its absence is a positive.

If the Dealership Experience is important to you, maybe a Slate isn't the vehicle for you.

 

[bkimball014]

Regarding the Tailosive EV video:

Does anyone else see this as a hard press for the Fathom over the Slate, from a Telo rep.?

I do. I think Telo see's Slate taking a big bite out of their lunch, so, they are pushing for the Fathom to take out the Slate.

Notice all Slate positives were delivered either back-handed or as a "poop sandwich" (positive points intermingled with digs). And, most of the Slate negatives are whoppers (untruths, not the burger).

Examples:

• "Slate fans aren't just looking for a rock bottom price (i.e., they are 'cheap'); they are also out-of-touch, technophobic, haters. So, if you get one, you are one or both, too."
• "The Slate is a "skeleton". (To me, it appears to be muscle and bone minus the fat.)
• The Fathom and Slate will be priced about the same. 🤣
  • He did 'sandwich' this with the caveat that this would be true "if Ford/dealers don't screw it up like they did with the 'Lightning'"...a plea from Tevo to Ford??
• "Connecting a vehicle to the internet is a basic need that Slate doesn't provide standard."
• "Almost all pick-up buyers want four doors and Slate has only two."
• "The Telo, which I'm not going to talk about, is better than both, squeezes more into a tiny package, and has the required four doors. However, it can be a 'two door', too...by using only the front two doors." Brilliant!

Consider his justification for the telematics requirement. "Preconditioning the cabin and the battery (for fast charging) are needed". Though convenient at times, either as a 'requirement' for the Slate has been debunked, and are not worth the hassle and expense, anyway.

I think this video is a push by a Telo employee, for Fathom over Slate, to reduce competition...

 

[RevMS]

Regarding the Tailosive EV video:

Does anyone else see this as a hard press for the Fathom over the Slate, from a Telo rep.?

I do. I think Telo see's Slate taking a big bite out of their lunch, so, they are pushing for the Fathom to take out the Slate.

Notice all Slate positives were delivered either back-handed or as a "poop sandwich" (positive points intermingled with digs). And, most of the Slate negatives are whoppers (untruths, not the burger).

Examples:

• "Slate fans aren't just looking for a rock bottom price (i.e., they are 'cheap'); they are also out-of-touch, technophile haters. So, if you get one, you are one or both, too."
• "The Slate is a "skeleton". (To me, it appears to be muscle and bone minus the fat.)
• The Fathom and Slate will be priced about the same. 🤣
  • He did 'sandwich' this with the caveat that this would be true "if Ford/dealers don't screw it up like they did with the 'Lightning'"...a plea from Tevo to Ford??
• "Connecting a vehicle to the internet is a basic need that Slate doesn't provide standard."
• "Almost all pick-up buyers want four doors and Slate has only two."
• "The Telo, which I'm not going to talk about, is better than both, squeezes more into a tiny package, and has the required four doors. However, it can be a 'two door', too...by using only the front two doors." Brilliant!

Consider his justification for the telematics requirement. "Preconditioning the cabin and the battery (for fast charging) are needed". Though convenient at times, either as a 'requirement' for the Slate has been debunked, and are not worth the hassle and expense, anyway.

I think this video is a push by a Telo employee, for Fathom over Slate, to reduce competition...

I didn't see it as too bad. His comments about there being a big enough market for competitors to coexist were accurate. Though I did comment that his remarks that there's no app without the telematics module was incorrect and that his concerns about preconditioning were moot. Also that the remote control can do the remote start to get the cabin HVAC running as long as you're within range of it.

 

[AZFox]

Notice all Slate positives were delivered either back-handed or as a "poop sandwich" (positive points intermingled with digs). And, most of the Slate negatives are whoppers (untruths, not the burger).

And he made it sound like you need the telematics module to use the app.

He should know better, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[NMNeil]

Most people who have become interested in a Slate are not interested in a Dealership Experience, and some feel pretty strongly that its absence is a positive.

If the Dealership Experience is important to you, maybe a Slate isn't the vehicle for you.

Without having a franchised dealership network Slate can't sell direct to the public, so where will they be sold?
One of Slates many unanswered questions.

 

[sodamo]

Without having a franchised dealership network Slate can't sell direct to the public, so where will they be sold?
One of Slates many unanswered questions.

You have a preorder?

 

[AZFox]

Without having a franchised dealership network Slate can't sell direct to the public, so where will they be sold?
One of Slates many unanswered questions.

Yet another

 

[NMNeil]

You have a preorder?

The $50; yes, but until I get to actually drive one, that's all I'm going to risk.
Why is it so much to ask to actually drive one to see if you like it when other manufacturers actually encourage it?
https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/attractions/test-drives/

 

[fxrdr31]

I think there is room for both to thrive. I lean more towards the slate for the repair ability and lower cost. It will be like driving my old Ford Ranger vs my F150 which takes up a whole parking spot and needs a mile to turn around.

 

[AZFox]

The $50; yes, but until I get to actually drive one, that's all I'm going to risk.
Why is it so much to ask to actually drive one to see if you like it when other manufacturers actually encourage it?
https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/attractions/test-drives/

It's a waste of resources if they're able to sell all of the trucks they can produce without wasting time trying to sway doubters.

 

[sodamo]

The $50; yes, but until I get to actually drive one, that's all I'm going to risk.
Why is it so much to ask to actually drive one to see if you like it when other manufacturers actually encourage it?
https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/attractions/test-drives/

Then, you don’t hve a preorder. Likely why you don’t know answer. slate via online.

 

[bkimball014]

I didn't see it as too bad. His comments about there being a big enough market for competitors to coexist were accurate. Though I did comment that his remarks that there's no app without the telematics module was incorrect and that his concerns about preconditioning were moot. Also that the remote control can do the remote start to get the cabin HVAC running as long as you're within range of it.

You and AZ Fox are probably right. I agree with all your points and I may be being a bit over sensitive and "conspiratorial"...

 

[danielt1263]

Consider his justification for the telematics requirement. "Preconditioning the cabin and the battery (for fast charging) are needed". Though convenient at times, either as a 'requirement' for the Slate has been debunked, and are not worth the hassle and expense, anyway.

How do you need the truck to have internet access in order to precondition the battery or the cabin? I mean sure, if you want to precondition them while your vehicle is in your garage and you are vacationing in Paris it would have to have internet access, but who does that?

The raw fact is, preconditioning the battery is only required while you are in the truck, on the way to a super charger. No need for internet in that use case. And with a good enough HVAC, the ability to precondition the cabin from 30' away (through the FOB or Bluetooth) is fine as well. No need for internet.

 

[19SL80s]

Everyone was wrong ???

Your AI summary summarized it well and truthful.

Definitely 2 very different camps out there.

I am leaning more towards the Fathom side as I come from the Mach E.

Still have $300 in the game, so will see as first production units roll off the line.

The Electric Duo said that Ford is planning on taking reservations for the Fathom in January 2027 and that deliveries would be in the Fall of 2027, so the Slate should release earlier (late 2026). When’s your order window?

One thing that Tailosive has absolutely right is that the dealerships will never sell the Fathom for MSRP, especially if there’s demand. The same thing happened with the Lightning and the Maverick. They were initially supposed to be sold for 40K and $20K, respectively. It never happened.

If you go to any legacy automaker’s website and look at their inventory you’re not going to find the base model. If you go to their car lots you’re not going to find the base model either. They usually don’t order any, because the profit margin is lower and truthfully most people usually go for the mid-range spec anyway.

I hope it sells well regardless. We need more EVs that fit different people’s needs. I hope the Slate sells well too. I don’t know why both vehicles can’t coexist. Auto sales are not a zero sum game.

 

[sl8username]

To the many immediately discrediting the slate as DOA because of the fathom, I hope you are wrong. I think its price, simplicity, utility, and transformability allow the slate to compete in multiple segments. It just needs a few buyers from here and a few buyers from there to succeed. It seems like a marketing problem more than anything. How many potential leaf or bolt shoppers will see pictures of people at the beach in open air slates and think, I want to be able to have that kinda fun come summer? How many wrangler or bronco owners that mostly use their cars for solo commuting are sick of. Getting 20mpg on $6 gas? How many parents buying cars for teenagers, see 2 seats, 5 star crash rating, low power numbers, no screens to fiddle with and a 95mph top speed and think, my kid will be safe?