How Long Till Delivery

[Granite]

No engine, no transmission, no exhaust system, bare bones interior, few fit and finish issues, very few electrical gizmos, no paint, no trim, etc.
Seems they could crank ‘em out pretty fast once they get the hang of it.

 

[tgpii]

So, if I get on the waiting list today, might I get my new Slate in maybe TWO YEARS!

Try waiting for an Aptera!

 

[Dorbiman]

One thing to keep in mind is that some will not be happy with their Slates. So some number of Slates will arrive on the used car market in just a few months.

It's just a question of what the used price and the used volume will be. No clue here.

Sounds like a great deal for the next person! First buyer eats some depreciation, next buyer gets a new car for 20% less than MSRP! haha

 

[E90400K]

One thing to keep in mind is that some will not be happy with their Slates. So some number of Slates will arrive on the used car market in just a few months.

It's just a question of what the used price and the used volume will be. No clue here.

Finding a used one in slate gray will be easy.

 

[E90400K]

No engine, no transmission, no exhaust system, bare bones interior, few fit and finish issues, very few electrical gizmos, no paint, no trim, etc.
Seems they could crank ‘em out pretty fast once they get the hang of it.

But it has an EV battery, 1-speed transmission drive unit/differential, electric motor, and charging system. That's just as difficult to manufacture as an engine, transmission and exhaust system.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

And I’ll a number of folks with early reservation that will buy in hopes of flipping for a profit.

One obvious flipping market, though small, is the YouTube content creators. Those people will pay anything to have the first videos on any new vehicle. Because viewer interest drops fast.

Cybertrucks and ID Buzz - those were flipping like mad for a few months. Then the video market got saturated and resale values hit the down button.

 

[danielt1263]

They have said more than once that they’re expecting the factory to be able to pump out 150,000 units a year. If they only do half of that in the first year that’s 75,000 units. At a 30% conversion rate they could easily do that in the first year.

But a lot depends on the fleet sales side, which I think are gonna get priority over single units.

 

[KevinRS]

But it has an EV battery, 1-speed transmission drive unit/differential, electric motor, and charging system. That's just as difficult to manufacture as an engine, transmission and exhaust system.

The motor and transmission are manufactured as a unit by an outside company that has already been making the same exact unit for other vehicles, yeah, they plan to assemble the batteries from pouch cells on site, charging system is also probably going to be arriving at the factory as an at least mostly complete unit, ready to be wired in.

 

[E90400K]

The motor and transmission are manufactured as a unit by an outside company that has already been making the same exact unit for other vehicles, yeah, they plan to assemble the batteries from pouch cells on site, charging system is also probably going to be arriving at the factory as an at least mostly complete unit, ready to be wired in.

How is that any different than an engine or transmission that comes from one of the legacy ICEV manufacturer's engine or transmission plants, or an outside transmission supplier like Tremec, ZF, Getrag, or Asin?

Exhaust systems are generally bent and welded on site using automated CNC bending and welding machines. It is all settled technology.

100+ years into the automotive drivetrain supply chain, engines, transmissions, axles, differentials, etc., while complex machine subassemblies, are well understood and highly automated manufacturing processes.

The point being just because the Slate is an EV doesn't make it any easier to manufacture.

 

[Dorbiman]

How is that any different than an engine or transmission that comes from one of the legacy ICEV manufacturer's engine or transmission plants, or an outside transmission supplier like Tremec, ZF, Getrag, or Asin?

For this specifically, there's a lot more going on in a multispeed or continuously variable transmission. I just had to diagnose & replace the torque converter on a friend's GMC Acadia because the torque converter clutch went out. The SUV only had ~90K miles on it too.

Don't even look at Nissan and their XTronic CVTs...

Now, if you think a single speed reduction gearbox is in the same category in terms of durability, I don't know what to tell you!

Edit: reading comprehension is hard. Durability =/= ease of manufacturing. I'll see my way out.

 

[NMNeil]

But it has an EV battery, 1-speed transmission drive unit/differential, electric motor, and charging system. That's just as difficult to manufacture as an engine, transmission and exhaust system.

I don't think Slate is making any of those but rather buying them in from outside companies.

 

[E90400K]

I don't think Slate is making any of those but rather buying them in from outside companies.

Exactly, just like the legacy OEMs do.

 

[E90400K]

For this specifically, there's a lot more going on in a multispeed or continuously variable transmission. I just had to diagnose & replace the torque converter on a friend's GMC Acadia because the torque converter clutch went out. The SUV only had ~90K miles on it too.

Don't even look at Nissan and their XTronic CVTs...

Now, if you think a single speed reduction gearbox is in the same category in terms of durability, I don't know what to tell you!

Edit: reading comprehension is hard. Durability =/= ease of manufacturing. I'll see my way out.

Easy now, no need to try and throw insults around. Lol.

 

[SparkYellow]

I ordered the decals to have a a tiny piece of Slate. Just realized that all 4 designs are on these two stickers. When I ordered, I thought there'd be two of each that were shown. 😅 Plan to slap the largest one on the back of my daily driver.

 

[KevinRS]

Exactly, just like the legacy OEMs do.

What manufacturer does Ford buy the ICE drivetrains from then? and are they identical to drivetrains from Chevy or someone else?
The Slate drivetrain is a relatively small unit, that is already being used in other vehicles, that's just going to lift into place and bolt in, and have wiring and coolant hoses connected. There is no intake, exhaust, high temp cooling, transmission fluid, etc.