Is FORD Preparing to Release a SLATE Competitor?

[Trace26]

So then, why is everyone upset the tax credit went away for the Slate? If inexpensive EVs are what the market needs, but that part of market can't take advantage of the tax credit, why is it thought Slate's destiny is tied to the tax credit? It makes no sense.

Regardless, GM gave up on the Bolt.

I agree, no idea why everyone thinks Slate cares about the tax credit. If you notice they don't seem bothered by it at all. They already knew their market.
Honestly, I think it's because the YouTubers and reviewers are used to all these expensive cars and they themselves make a lot of money.
Also, a lot of people don't even know how a 'tax credit' works or how their taxes work at all.
And on the bolt, GM was cancelling the Bolt because they are moving to a new battery platform and they thought that the bad publicity of the battery fires was going to stick around. When it didn't and people kept asking for them to bring it back they announced that they will be making a new bolt using the new battery platform. So they haven't exactly given up on it.

https://news.gm.com/home.detail.htm...l/0729-Sneak-preview-2027-Chevrolet-Bolt.html

 

[OldGoat]

Slate needs to WIN on build quality, and customization. Not dinky wraps, let me build exactly the car I want. And that includes AWD.

Amen Letas. Get a group of baby boomers together and ask about home appliances. Get ready for some venom as we bitch about how everything from dishwasher machines to toasters to water heaters are now disposable crap that are not only costly, but cannot be easily (and cheaply) repaired. So many of us are dying for a vehicle that will provide basic transportation and also be user friendly to drive and maintain. SLATE has a good in-road to us IF they can in fact hit the mark. My adult kids are fully ready to go EV as well since they can charge at home. Only thing holding them back is they aren't gonna spend 50K to get what is on the lots now with EV's. Plus, they don't like doing the dealership dance.
But if SLATE can't hit the mark, and Ford offers a low cost PHEV pickup, it will sell despite the naysayers. But I doubt Ford (or anyone else) could avoid the siren call of loading "features/options" onto the vehicle to drive up $$$.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Slate needs to WIN on build quality, and customization. Not dinky wraps, let me build exactly the car I want. And that includes AWD.

Amen Letas. Get a group of baby boomers together and ask about home appliances. Get ready for some venom as we bitch about how everything from dishwasher machines to toasters to water heaters are now disposable crap that are not only costly, but cannot be easily (and cheaply) repaired. So many of us are dying for a vehicle that will provide basic transportation and also be user friendly to drive and maintain. SLATE has a good in-road to us IF they can in fact hit the mark. My adult kids are fully ready to go EV as well since they can charge at home. Only thing holding them back is they aren't gonna spend 50K to get what is on the lots now with EV's. Plus, they don't like doing the dealership dance.
But if SLATE can't hit the mark, and Ford offers a low cost PHEV pickup, it will sell despite the naysayers. But I doubt Ford (or anyone else) could avoid the siren call of loading "features/options" onto the vehicle to drive up $$$.
[/QUOTE]

How has your Ford experience been with the Mach-E, Chuck? I'm so disappointed with my local dealer's arms-length approach to my Lightning.

 

[sodamo]

Slate needs to WIN on build quality, and customization. Not dinky wraps, let me build exactly the car I want. And that includes AWD.

Amen Letas. Get a group of baby boomers together and ask about home appliances. Get ready for some venom as we bitch about how everything from dishwasher machines to toasters to water heaters are now disposable crap that are not only costly, but cannot be easily (and cheaply) repaired. So many of us are dying for a vehicle that will provide basic transportation and also be user friendly to drive and maintain. SLATE has a good in-road to us IF they can in fact hit the mark. My adult kids are fully ready to go EV as well since they can charge at home. Only thing holding them back is they aren't gonna spend 50K to get what is on the lots now with EV's. Plus, they don't like doing the dealership dance.
But if SLATE can't hit the mark, and Ford offers a low cost PHEV pickup, it will sell despite the naysayers. But I doubt Ford (or anyone else) could avoid the siren call of loading "features/options" onto the vehicle to drive up $$$.
[/QUOTE]

So true. Have a small very diverse group of retired friends all in 60’s & 70’s except newest guy, only 52 yo, MIT grad, really smart, and he is constantly amazed that we are always trying to repair our things and build our own instead of buying a replacement. he’s learning. We are all rural homeowners with tractors and assorted goodies so things break.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Amen Letas. Get a group of baby boomers together and ask about home appliances. Get ready for some venom as we bitch about how everything from dishwasher machines to toasters to water heaters are now disposable crap that are not only costly, but cannot be easily (and cheaply) repaired. So many of us are dying for a vehicle that will provide basic transportation and also be user friendly to drive and maintain. SLATE has a good in-road to us IF they can in fact hit the mark. My adult kids are fully ready to go EV as well since they can charge at home. Only thing holding them back is they aren't gonna spend 50K to get what is on the lots now with EV's. Plus, they don't like doing the dealership dance.
But if SLATE can't hit the mark, and Ford offers a low cost PHEV pickup, it will sell despite the naysayers. But I doubt Ford (or anyone else) could avoid the siren call of loading "features/options" onto the vehicle to drive up $$$.

So true. Have a small very diverse group of retired friends all in 60’s & 70’s except newest guy, only 52 yo, MIT grad, really smart, and he is constantly amazed that we are always trying to repair our things and build our own instead of buying a replacement. he’s learning. We are all rural homeowners with tractors and assorted goodies so things break.
[/QUOTE]
You are describing my growing up on a farm in KY…I should be in therapy from the extreme thrift.

 

[KevinRS]

I really just don't see Ford or the other major manufacturers doing a low cost, easy to repair truck. They have just all been pushing hard in the other direction so long that their whole business model is dependent on it. Even the dealers will try hard not to sell it, because financing and the service department are what drive their profitability.

 

[Tran]

According to Autoweek, what's being revealed on August 11 is the 2028 Ford T3 midsize electric pickup truck on the new, lower-cost EV platform developed the last three years in the automaker’s California skunkworks.

The 2028 Ford T3 EV is said to be a “tweener” pickup in size, larger than a Maverick but smaller than a Ranger.

Source: https://www.autoweek.com/news/a65428971/new-ford-ev-set-for-kentucky-reveal/

 

[Dorbiman]

According to Autoweek, what's being revealed on August 11 is the 2028 Ford T3 midsize electric pickup truck on the new, lower-cost EV platform developed the last three years in the automaker’s California skunkworks.

The 2028 Ford T3 EV is said to be a “tweener” pickup in size, larger than a Maverick but smaller than a Ranger.

Source: https://www.autoweek.com/news/a65428971/new-ford-ev-set-for-kentucky-reveal/

That's unfortunate.

 

[Driven5]

That's unfortunate.

Not for Slate.

 

[AZFox]

According to Autoweek, what's being revealed on August 11 is the 2028 Ford T3 midsize electric pickup truck on the new, lower-cost EV platform developed the last three years in the automaker’s California skunkworks.

Those stinkers! 🦨💨👃

 

[PACMAN]

The 2028 Ford T3 EV is said to be a “tweener” pickup in size, larger than a Maverick but smaller than a Ranger.

This is going to be interesting.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Promises, promises; In 2012 Ford was talking about a Ranger model refresh that included a BEV. Then...nothing. Don't trust it until you see it.

 

[GaRailroader]

Look at the bright side, at least Ford didn't go the other way and decide what the market really needed was an EV Super Duty F-250/F-350.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Look at the bright side, at least Ford didn't go the other way and decide what the market really needed was an EV Super Duty F-250/F-350.

Based on my Lightning experience, jeez might as well design a more efficient cash-shredder.

 

[BobSentMe]

First off: That yellow monstrosity looks like someone slapped a 3 foot bed on the back of an escape. So worst of both the SUV and Truck Worlds.

Secondly, their manufacturing isn't great. Especially on low end vehicles. There's a recall every other week. And it's getting worse.

But finally: Is nobody going to mention Ford's real problem in selling ANY "Model T" EV, which is their dealers? If ANY of their vehicles becomes popular, dealers are going to start adding thousands to the price, just like they did for the Lightening, Mach-E, and Maverick.

Ford is stuck in legacy hell. They grew too big, and now changes like this come at a cost to them AND the consumer. And I say all of this a someone who has owned mostly fords over the years.