Jeff Bezos's $25,000 EV Truck Has One Fatal Flaw • Jeff Jablansky | MotoMan Podcast 006

[Daemoch]

At the end of the day, I just want it so I can work on it myself. That's my primary interest.

I also miss small, RWD, 2 door pickups.

I've got business clients with 4-10 car 'fleets' that would KILL for a base model Slate. There are currently no real options for that.

 

[E90400K]

Well, that is a testament to perceived value vs cost. If a consumer is willing to pay (consciously or unconsciously) more than it would cost to add a feature- excluding that is "bad value" to said consumer.

Edit-

Also, the cost to add a head unit (changing my language from radio, because I think it more accurately reflects consumer demands) and speakers is well undershot. Best Buy charges over $200 for speaker and head unit install alone, less parts.
Sure, it can be DIYd, but time is money. Any half decent head unit and speaker setup will run over $200 just in parts.

But wait, "Sure, it can be DIYd, but time is money", is not the main idea of the Slate Truck to be DIY'd to the owner's preferences? Is adding an audio system any more difficult than applying a wrap (and having it turn out decent as a 1st shot at wrapping)? Are you saying Slate owners should pay Best Buy $200 for installation of an audio system, which makes it cost prohibitive?

I'm not sure what your point is. My biggest issue with the Slate Truck is the molded in color of the body panels. While I'm an experienced DIY'er of most all things mechanical, I have zero experience applying a vinyl wrap to an automobile body, even one that is supposed to be composed of simple surfaces, defined bodylines, and pre-cut wrap sheets. To change the color of one's Slate Truck, he is going to spend another $1,500 to buy the wrap kit and have it professionally installed.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

But wait, "Sure, it can be DIYd, but time is money", is not the main idea of the Slate Truck to be DIY'd to the owner's preferences? Is adding an audio system any more difficult than applying a wrap (and having it turn out decent as a 1st shot at wrapping)? Are you saying Slate owners should pay Best Buy $200 for installation of an audio system, which makes it cost prohibitive?

I'm not sure what your point is. My biggest issue with the Slate Truck is the molded in color of the body panels. While I'm an experienced DIY'er of most all things mechanical, I have zero experience applying a vinyl wrap to an automobile body, even one that is supposed to be composed of simple surfaces, defined bodylines, and pre-cut wrap sheets. To change the color of one's Slate Truck, he is going to spend another $1,500 to buy the wrap kit and have it professionally installed.

$800 ($500 for the Wrap Kit and $250-$300 for service) if you want a custom wrap that isn’t pre cut than you might be looking more at $1,500 or more.

 

[Driven5]

On the one hand, even the low end of skilled labor gets billed at $150-$200+ per labor hour. I'm doubtful that Slate has only 1 person working the wrap when they do it in an hour, they've got all of the pre-install prep work done that isn't getting counted there, and it still doesn't come out looking good enough to charge for it.

On the other hand, every other enthusiast community I've known has had people more than willing to help each other learn to do enthusiast things, largely just as an excuse to hang out with other enthusiasts, for little more than the price of some pizza and beer for the crew... And I'd expect no less if it were Slate.

 

[Zorba]

Interesting. I actually wouldn't want it if it had 4 doors. I don't want a back seat either.

There are tons of 4 door vehicles out there. It's annoying that there aren't more 2 door vehicles to choose from.

That's exactly right. A pickup truck needs a "single" or "standard" cab, not a glorified school bus. The Maverick has 4 doors and infotainment? Those are two major reasons NOT to buy one!

 

[Zorba]

The number of people saying it doesn't have a radio or power windows

Americans are effete. I dislike power windows, and DETEST power seats!

 

[E90400K]

$800 ($500 for the Wrap Kit and $250-$300 for service) if you want a custom wrap that isn’t pre cut than you might be looking more at $1,500 or more.

We don’t even know what the price of the truck is, but the wrap is $800. I'll wait and see. If we are going cheap with the manual windows and no infotainment system meme why not just have 5 basic molded in colors: grey, black, white, red, and blue. If the buyer wants something custom, then they can wrap it.

 

[dcgray2]

Am i the only one that was waiting for them to discuss the slate as a fleet vehicle for home services, retail, etc businesses...

I just see it having obvious advantages!

 

[Zorba]

...5 basic molded in colors: grey, black, white, red, and blue. I

Yep - that is the same boring color palette every other modern car comes in, it would certainly work!

 

[E90400K]

Yep - that is the same boring color palette every other modern car comes in, it would certainly work!

My point. If you want something different, wrap. It's always an option, not required.

 

[Susan]

Am i the only one that was waiting for them to discuss the slate as a fleet vehicle for home services, retail, etc businesses...

I just see it having obvious advantages!

There are Slate employees working on fleet business development. I met one of them, Christian, at one of their Slate to State events. And there is a page talking about the Slate as a fleet vehicle:

https://www.slate.auto/en/fleet

 

[dcgray2]

There are Slate employees working on fleet business development. I met one of them, Christian, at one of their Slate to State events. And there is a page talking about the Slate as a fleet vehicle:

https://www.slate.auto/en/fleet

That's awesome to hear. I think its going to be crucial to them reaching production capacity. Fills a real niche.

 

[AKrietzer]

There are Slate employees working on fleet business development. I met one of them, Christian, at one of their Slate to State events. And there is a page talking about the Slate as a fleet vehicle:

https://www.slate.auto/en/fleet

Do they have the range needed for fleet service? We use to order parts for the farm and it would be there very quick, but I don't know if that would work on the range the Slate has. Even a pizza delivery, back and forth, 150 miles is used up quickly. I was thinking possibly for a florist or similar, fewer trips. That would work great.

 

[Susan]

Do they have the range needed for fleet service? We use to order parts for the farm and it would be there very quick, but I don't know if that would work on the range the Slate has. Even a pizza delivery, back and forth, 150 miles is used up quickly. I was thinking possibly for a florist or similar, fewer trips. That would work great.

I don't know who their target business market is, just know that it's something they are doing.

 

[sodamo]

Am i the only one that was waiting for them to discuss the slate as a fleet vehicle for home services, retail, etc businesses...

I just see it having obvious advantages!

can I get a fleet of ONE?

We don’t even know what the price of the truck is, but the wrap is $800. I'll wait and see. If we are going cheap with the manual windows and no infotainment system meme why not just have 5 basic molded in colors: grey, black, white, red, and blue. If the buyer wants something custom, then they can wrap it.

maybe Slate 2.0 but until then just a distraction