Interesting video from Mobile Mama for Slate.

[AKrietzer]

This is an interesting video showing interior and exterior of the Slate.

 

[renostever]

This is an interesting video showing interior and exterior of the Slate.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1201165725038502/?referral_source=reshare_feed_unit

Very fun. Bummer that the current administration is set to scrap the EV incentive though, along with the charging station investments started under the prior administration. Hope it isn’t fatal to Slate. We should be willing to invest in American manufacturing; that’s how BYD has eclipsed Tesler.

 

[AZFox]

Good info, but her enthusiasm comes across like she's a Second Grade Teacher presenting to children.

The promotional videos I've seen so far range from neutral to counter-masculine. A woman with a dog. Influencers snapping selfies of their freshly-applied decorative decals. Etc... Could be that's the nature of Slate Auto as a company.

 

[Liontracks]

I'd love to see that SUV topper part come off and see what that looks like. From what I can tell, it looks like it pops off but keeps the roll bars on?

I couldn't help but notice too that the windows in the back for the SUV thing also has the quick latch releases, which I think is really nice imo. Keeps things easy and quick to remove/install.

 

[cvollers]

Good info, but her enthusiasm comes across like she's a Second Grade Teacher presenting to children.

The promotional videos I've seen so far range from neutral to counter-masculine. A woman with a dog. Influencers snapping selfies of their freshly-applied decorative decals. Etc... Could be that's the nature of Slate Auto as a company.

It’s a company run by a woman selling a vehicle much smaller than the pickups a lot of guys buy. I can guarantee you that they have done their focus groups and other marketing research and know exactly who their target is. I don’t think “serious work vehicle” is the feedback they are getting, but I do think it can be a serious work vehicle once small business and fleet operators see the potential.

 

[SLATEchad]

This is an interesting video showing interior and exterior of the Slate.

Nice! I thought I’d seen every video out there on the Slate, but hadn’t seen this one.
Couple things that it answers (and makes me like the Slate even more):

- You don’t need the app to operate the vehicle. I’ve seen some people concerned that it would be required and would have a paid subscription, this puts that to rest.
- the roof panel on the SUV kit can be removed, giving open air - I’m thinking this means you can keep side panels and rear glass in place, but quickly remove only the roof panel ( maybe she just means the whole thing can be removed?)

Apart from the Mobile Mama decal, I like her color scheme and might consider something similar.

 

[SLATEchad]

I'd have liked to see her get into the back seat. It's not going to be easy for most people. LOL.

I’d say it’s mostly for kids or maybe the younger adults that this may be a first new car. It’ll be easy enough for them.

 

[AZFox]

It’s a company run by a woman selling a vehicle much smaller than the pickups a lot of guys buy.

The Head Of Design's name is Kristi, so there's that too.

The reason guys and gals don't buy new small trucks is because there are none to buy.

Maybe I'm projecting my own preferences as someone who's owned small trucks in the past, but IMHO there's considerable unmet demand is for a basic minimalist runabout pickup. IMHO a near-blank Slate will be popular configured that way, marketing or no marketing.

I can guarantee you that they have done their focus groups and other marketing research and know exactly who their target is.

Could be that they know the near-blank Slate demand will take care of itself and they're trying to create extra demand where it doesn't already exist.

Put another way, people (mostly guys) already want small trucks so they don't need to promote that very much. OTOH Slate can create demand out of thin air for a "lifestyle" vehicle, one that can be uniquely configured as a means of personal expression... that just so happens to be a pickup you can convert to an SUV.

I don’t think “serious work vehicle” is the feedback they are getting, but I do think it can be a serious work vehicle once small business and fleet operators see the potential.

Without a doubt a small, minimalist, economical CUV (car with a bed) isn't a Serious Work Vehicle and shouldn't be confused as such. This morning I started a thread about that because I think people are expecting the Slate to be more truck-like than it actually will be.

 

[cvollers]

The Head Of Design's name is Kristi, so there's that too.

The reason guys and gals don't buy new small trucks is because there are none to buy.

Maybe I'm projecting my own preferences as someone who's owned small trucks in the past, but IMHO there's considerable unmet demand is for a basic minimalist runabout pickup. IMHO a near-blank Slate will be popular configured that way, marketing or no marketing.



Could be that they know the near-blank Slate demand will take care of itself and they're trying to create extra demand where it doesn't already exist.

Put another way, people (mostly guys) already want small trucks so they don't need to promote that very much. OTOH Slate can create demand out of thin air for a "lifestyle" vehicle, one that can be uniquely configured as a means of personal expression... that just so happens to be a pickup you can convert to an SUV.



Without a doubt a small, minimalist, economical CUV (car with a bed) isn't a Serious Work Vehicle and shouldn't be confused as such. This morning I started a thread about that because I think people are expecting the Slate to be more truck-like than it actually will be.

1400 pounds of payload is nothing to sneeze at. Sure it won’t tow much more than a trailer full of lawn mowers, but the work potential is there. I think you are spot on regarding their marketing focus…creating that extra demand in the lifestyle segment. We’ll see…

 

[AZFox]

1400 pounds of payload is nothing to sneeze at.

💯. Apparently it matches a couple of F-150 variants.

2025 F-150 chart from TowStats:

 

[atx_ev]

Without a doubt a small, minimalist, economical CUV (car with a bed) isn't a Serious Work Vehicle and shouldn't be confused as such. This morning I started a thread about that because I think people are expecting the Slate to be more truck-like than it actually will be.

there are many types of work though that need a bed but also dont have to be heavy duty.

I for one hunt, kitesurf, and mountainbike. Also pick up bulk mulch and rocks for landscaping. I need the bed so I can just hose it out. But mostly I dont need to pull a lot of weight.

Lots of companies need a light duty truck as a fleet vehicle because the stuff they are carrying is noxious or dirty, not because it is heavy.

pool companies, all types of construction, landscaping, electricians/plumbers and other home service people.

Power tools are even light and you can use the bed as a work area.

My friend wants one as a ranch vehicle vs. a gator

 

[AZFox]

there are many types of work though [snip, snip]

Consider putting that in the thread that's about that topic.