I was interested to see Ford's new EV offering until….. "MY2028"

[ScooterAsheville]

Don't read this post wrong. I'm a Slate fanboy. Not trolling the product or the company in any way. But I'm also solidly connected to reality...

"Show me the money, Jerry! Show me the money!" Until I have a binding contract in my hands and product for sale, it's all empty promises. Slate, Ford, Toyota, Scout, Telo, Canoo, and all the others. Slick presentations and pre-production prototypes do not equal shipping product.

Show me "shipping today" product I can buy with a window sticker and a fee schedule. Show me that your company will likely still exist in three years. Don't show me anticipated price projections, anticipated shipping dates, anticipated product descriptions, and anticipated service centers.

That's why I've been driving a Maverick for 3 years now. Not because I want a Maverick (I don't). Not because I love the Maverick (I don't). But because it's real product. With real prices. And real service. Oh, and I should add, real recalls (and plenty of them).

Oh, and also show me you can legally sell me your product in my state without a dealership (Rivian and Tesla had to battle for years, state by state - and they still cannot sell in many states - some buyers still have to drive to another state to conduct the sale).

 

[AZFox]

Also, knowing that the service and parts department is often the largest revenue stream for most of the legacy automaker's dealerships tells you something about how they build their vehicles.

Now they can get revenue by charging you monthly to keep features unlocked.

 

[Dorbiman]

Now they can get revenue by charging you monthly to keep features unlocked.

This is actually one of the biggest things I like about the Slate Truck, from what I understand at this point. I'd like to pay cash for a vehicle and know that I own it and everything related to it in perpetuity. I don't want to have to pay a yearly subscription for app access (Ford, VW, many others), heated seats (BMW), advanced Travel Assist (VW), etc., etc.

If Slate says that I have to pay a subscription for the Slate App, I'm probably out.

 

[AZFox]

If Slate says that I have to pay a subscription for the Slate App, I'm probably out.

Unfortunately someone posted a reply from a Slate agent that hinted about them potentially doing just that. Not the app itself, but features within it.

 

[Dorbiman]

How unfortunate. Really hoped that Slate Auto would buck the trend.

 

[AZFox]

How unfortunate. Really hoped that Slate Auto would buck the trend.

Hear, hear!

I added the question to my List Of Slate Truck Questions. The list is already 12 questions and I just created it a few days ago!

 

[Charliegti]

"Midsized" - no thanks.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Too bad it is not this year, since the Model T pickup didn't arrive until 1925.

damn missed opportunity’s and marketing imagine how wild people would go like “it’s been a 100 years in the making but now we introduce fords new all electric model t” like damn

 

[Imhotep]

damn missed opportunity’s and marketing imagine how wild people would go like “it’s been a 100 years in the making but now we introduce fords new all electric model t” like damn

Folks could have gotten a Studebaker EV in 1902:

Studebaker hated gasoline autos because they were “smelly and noisy,” and resisted going with petrol until the market settled on it. This one could go 80 miles on a charge. Imagine where we’d be now if this idea won out.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Folks could have gotten a Studebaker EV in 1902:


Studebaker hated gasoline autos because they were “smelly and noisy,” and resisted going with petrol until the market settled on it. This one could go 80 miles on a charge. Imagine where we’d be now if this idea won out.

ahhh so many have come and gone but the idea never dies

 

[Daemoch]

Imagine if Ford tried this again: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_EV

It's the only thing I can think of that would give Slate a run for it's money.

Chevy S10 did the same thing.