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

[RetiredOnPaper]

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.

This was what I was going to Replace my ICE Ranger with. I had an associate that worked at Ford R/D on the batteries. At first it sounded great, but kept getting pushed back. Then I heard the whole project was canceled and the Ranger line discontinued. Only trust what you can see and touch. The auto business is full of...promises.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

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.

what kinda features do you think like serious xm I don’t really see the point since it’s so bare I can’t think of any other then maybe a power station map but even that iffy at best

 

[cadblu]

This. Obviously Tesla is a trigger word for some people thanks to Elon, but this is something they did right, and I'm so glad Slate plans on doing direct to consumer sales as well. I loathe car dealerships and hope to never have to work with one again. Clearly there are exceptions, but I've rarely felt good about the experience when I've left a dealership. The sales tactics, extra fees and packages that feel obligatory always make me feel like I've been tricked. 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. They're built to fail and be a constant revenue stream. Slate's accessories are designed to be a continued revenue stream as well, but I'd much rather be purhcasing accessories I can install myself then being at the mercy of a dealer's service center and whatever they think they can get me to pay to fix.

Excellent point. The costs to build, lease, and maintain fancy dealerships with a showroom, service center, "amenities," etc. are inevitably pushed back to the customer. Amazing how creative they get with port installed options, dealer options, and option bundles that can't be singularly deleted. I dread bringing in my ICE cars for service, especially with the "complimentary" vehicle inspection, where they always find something (usually not covered) you need to maintain the warranty.

I'd rather be buying accessories for my Slate; at least you're getting some tangible benefit than getting back your supposedly fixed ICE vehicle from the service department.

The best news with Slate, as in Tesla, is maintenance is at your discretion. No service intervals like every 12 months, 10K miles. No oil change or brake service. Your brake pads will last over 100K miles with regen braking. Just keep your tires inflated to spec. Other than charging, I haven't spent a dime in service or maintenance in 3 years of owning my Tesla. Should be very similar with the Slate.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Excellent point. The costs to build, lease, and maintain fancy dealerships with a showroom, service center, "amenities," etc. are inevitably pushed back to the customer. Amazing how creative they get with port installed options, dealer options, and option bundles that can't be singularly deleted. I dread bringing in my ICE cars for service, especially with the "complimentary" vehicle inspection, where they always find something (usually not covered) you need to maintain the warranty.

I'd rather be buying accessories for my Slate; at least you're getting some tangible benefit than getting back your supposedly fixed ICE vehicle from the service department.

The best news with Slate, as in Tesla, is maintenance is at your discretion. No service intervals like every 12 months, 10K miles. No oil change or brake service. Your brake pads will last over 100K miles with regen braking. Just keep your tires inflated to spec. Other than charging, I haven't spent a dime in service or maintenance in 3 years of owning my Tesla. Should be very similar with the Slate.

the best Machanic is yourself if you learn to do it yourself the right way XD at least that’s my opinion

 

[Driven5]

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.

If the subscription is for the types of things people already pay subscriptions for, that might make sense even if a bit redundant.

But if it's to integrate with the common apps I already have for free or already pay a subscription for, that's a hard pass... Not just pass on the subscription, but pass on the Slate itself.

If a subscription could be used unlock certain levels of 'developer' capabilities in the truck systems... That's would be unprecedented but uniquely aligned with their ethos, and absolutely fair to charge for.

But if it's to unlock common functionality in the settings of the car itself, absolutely not. This would be diametrically opposed to the ethos they've been proclaiming, and which their core market has been attracted to.

For example:

If I don't already have a music subscription, and they offer their own, I might consider it.

But if I need a subscription to access a music subscription or Android Auto and Apple Carplay integration (navigation, messages, calls, etc) though, like some manufacturers are moving towards, that would be an instant deal breaker.

If I want to create my own stability control settings (drift, race, mud, sand, etc) that could definitely be a subscription for as long as I am playing with adjusting the parameters. Once done, they would have to become toggle settings in the free app and the subscription could be canceled though. Similarly, if I want to download somebody else's changes, then I might still need a 1-time subscription to 'install' it. Yeah, I know... This is all wishful thinking anyways.

But if I want to simply toggle between stability control settings (dry, snow, off, etc), or add heated seat cover or pass-side power window control (if not already on the drivers door) functionality to the auxiliary switches, that type of stuff better not require a subscription.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

I really don’t see a subscription in slates future
Unless it’s for wraps of limited time accessory’s also got a follow up on this very question

 

[Dorbiman]

I really don’t see a subscription in slates future
Unless it’s for wraps of limited time accessory’s also got a follow up on this very question

I really hope that continues to be the case. I know it's hard for companies to resist the urge to start stacking subscriptions onto everything.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

I really hope that continues to be the case. I know it's hard for companies to resist the urge to start stacking subscriptions onto everything.

personally I wouldn’t mind one for addons or limited edition parts or wraps get like 2 a year or something

 

[AZFox]

Chevy S10 did the same thing.

Didn't know that!
Ranger De Dion FTW.

 

[AKrietzer]

Didn't know that!
Ranger De Dion FTW.

I think that was only used on the 1,500 EV Rangers.

 

[Dorbiman]

personally I wouldn’t mind one for addons or limited edition parts or wraps get like 2 a year or something

I'm curious, why would there be a subscription for limited edition parts or wraps? FOMO sucks, and they should just sell parts and wraps, not add them as some sort of subscription. Especially when they said wraps will start at $500. I don't think I'd want any part of a subscription like that lol

 

[AZFox]

I'm not sure what features the app would have that would be worth a specific subscription. Most things you'd want to do there are other, mostly free apps.

The only legitimate thing I can think of is some sort of hardware dongle and wireless service that allows remote access via the app, where the subscription is for the wireless service part.

 

[AZFox]

Not just pass on the subscription, but pass on the Slate itself.

There's similar sentiment expressed in this thread:
Subscription Features Poll

 

[AZFox]

I really don’t see a subscription in slates future

The reason I think it's possible is because they're unwilling to confirm otherwise, or a least were at one time:

I only asked if there would be an app and, if so, would there be a subscription fee. She said yes there would be an app but no confirmation on a fee. So yes there could be overreactions over nothing.

 

[Letas]

The only legitimate thing I can think of is some sort of hardware dongle and wireless service that allows remote access via the app, where the subscription is for the wireless service part.

This would actually make a ton of sense. The Slate has no wireless connectivity built in, sell a dongle and the subscription with it.

I know this forum is anti-any-subscription, but being able to wirelessly connect to your car is a great option to have. I've paid for it on my current car, currently am not paying for it, and frankly miss it. Considering pulling the trigger again.