Cody
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https://www.motortrend.com/features/how-is-the-slate-electric-pickup-truck-so-cheap
Key Factors Contributing to the Slate Truck's Affordability:
Key Factors Contributing to the Slate Truck's Affordability:
- Single Configuration Production: Slate Auto simplifies manufacturing by offering only one version of the truck—a gray, two-door pickup with a standard feature set. The only choice available to buyers is between two battery options: a 52.7 kWh pack offering approximately 150 miles of range, and an 84.3 kWh pack extending the range to about 240 miles.
- Elimination of Paint Shop: The truck's body panels are made from glass-filled polypropylene composite, which are cost-effective to produce and eliminate the need for an expensive paint shop. This not only reduces production costs but also simplifies the manufacturing process.
- Minimalist Features: To keep costs down, the Slate Truck omits many common features found in modern vehicles. It lacks power windows, infotainment systems, sunroofs, and keyless entry. However, it includes essential features like heating, air conditioning, and power locks with a remote key fob for safety.
- Parts Commonality: The design emphasizes the use of interchangeable parts, such as identical taillamps and door handles for both sides of the vehicle. This approach reduces the variety of parts needed, leading to economies of scale and further cost savings.
- Simplified Assembly: The Slate Truck is designed with approximately 500 subassemblies, significantly fewer than the thousands typically found in standard pickups. For example, the instrument panel structure has been reduced from 27 parts to seven, and each door's components have been consolidated from 15 parts to ten.
- Utilization of Existing Facilities: Production will take place in a repurposed facility in Warsaw, Indiana, previously used for phone book publishing. This "brownfield" site offers existing infrastructure and access to a skilled workforce, reducing the capital investment required for a new manufacturing plant.
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales Model: By selling directly to consumers and partnering with organizations for delivery, service, and warranty work, Slate Auto avoids the costs associated with traditional dealership networks.
