Now that the dust has settled...

[Letas]

Let me preface this by saying I am a big fan of the idea. My reservation is in, and I don't plan on changing that.

That being said...

I am worried about what Slate is trying to do.

Are they trying to be a low-cost car company, or a customizable car company?

The $27k price point is attractive at first glance, but a majority of orders are going to be for an SUV pack+long range battery. That pushes the $25k price to mid-high 30s (presumably, I think Slate is intentionally not releasing pricing of options for a reason)
And that is for a bare bones, basic SUV. Throw in some "comfort" options, delivery and registration, and we suddenly have a $40k SUV, with no AWD option, and an extremely limiting range. There are plenty of solid EV options in the 40 range, that are tested, proven, and have significantly better ranges.

If Slate is trying to be a low-cost are manufacturer, the $27k target is awfully high for what you get, a glorified golf cart. And it is fair to assume most of their profit margin will be in selling customization options, so I don't anticipate those being "low priced".
If it is trying to be a customizable company, I wish there were more options that consumers really care about from the start. A true long range battery, AWD addition, potentially even a long wheel base frame. A vast majority of the "customizations" are either 1) cosmetic, or 2) selling the customer what is already standard at a markup.

In summary... I am optimistic. But I fear the idea of "strip it down and sell it back" will just lead to a subpar car that you can buy your way up to being tolerable for daily use.

 

[SgtBanana]

If Slate is trying to be a low-cost are manufacturer, the $27k target is awfully high for what you get, a glorified golf cart. And it is fair to assume most of their profit margin will be in selling customization options, so I don't anticipate those being "low priced".
If it is trying to be a customizable company, I wish there were more options that consumers really care about from the start. A true long range battery, AWD addition, potentially even a long wheel base frame. A vast majority of the "customizations" are either 1) cosmetic, or 2) selling the customer what is already standard at a markup.

In summary... I am optimistic. But I fear the idea of "strip it down and sell it back" will just lead to a subpar car that you can buy your way up to being tolerable for daily use.

I fear that you're right. The main draw with Slate is the price, and the price (from what I've seen and heard up to this point) is a fair bit higher than most people assume.

I'm staying onboard. I'm excited about Slate. With that having been said, I want their team to surprise us with the accessory/addon pricing. They need to surprise us. I'd also like to see a minor reduction in the base price. Like you said, $27,500~ is quite high for one of the most basic, amenity barren cars to emerge within the last 20 years.

 

[Ewwgas]

I basically agree with everything above. I don't think it's cheap enough... the Maverick starts at the same price, well, 26k MSRP. A year from now we will have to re-evaluate I'm sure...

 

[Crimpcap]

I agree as well. Hoping they can come to market at the price point announced.

I think one of the positives are direct to consumer sales.

I have been looking for the Maverick hybrid to replace my wife's 2012 Nissan Leaf with degrading battery. Dealers in my area laugh when I tell them I want the $27k version. They say supply and demand and add to the price because they can. I even tried to order one and was told they would still require dealer addons and market adjustment. Just pure greedy dealers.

 

[cvollers]

This is a very realistic concern. I don’t think that people will “transform” the vehicle on a regular basis…they will mod once and then most likely leave it in the transformed state. So unless the SUV pack is very reasonably priced, the target market for this thing shrinks considerably. Perhaps the biggest draw is the ease of wrapping but that also needs to be reasonably priced. Once a well-equipped SUV version gets over $35K, the market for this vehicle is really going to shrink. I hope they can hit a sub-$25K base price and sub-$30K for the extended range battery version. Not giving up my Scout Traveler reservation just yet…

All of that said, my vision for using this is as a rolling billboard commuter for my business. A used/wrapped Ford Transit Connect would work just as well (maybe better with the larger interior volume) at under $30K, just not be nearly as cool.

 

[jimmyd]

I agree as well. Hoping they can come to market at the price point announced.

I think one of the positives are direct to consumer sales.

I have been looking for the Maverick hybrid to replace my wife's 2012 Nissan Leaf with degrading battery. Dealers in my area laugh when I tell them I want the $27k version. They say supply and demand and add to the price because they can. I even tried to order one and was told they would still require dealer addons and market adjustment. Just pure greedy dealers.

call Granger Ford, in iowa. they'll take your order, give you the best pricing you can get anywhere, no bullshit at all. it is worth the trip to pick it up and drive/tow it home or work with them to get it shipped. ordered my 22 mach 1 from them for over 10k less than anywhere else would even consider. under MSRP during the height of marked up cars.

 

[zipn]

We have a 25 hybrid maverick. The slate can’t replace it ( crew cab, AWD, 4k towing… 35-42 mpg!) but it can compliment it. I like the mav for all the truck stuff it can do plus it’s a lariat so a nice enough long range cruiser too, where’s the slate can handle daily local trips keeping the wear and tear off the mav.

In that capacity all we want is the blank slate, maybe power windows, and a tonneau cover or simple suv shell… don’t need the extra seats. Don’t give a rats ass about the cosmetics, but will add a double din radio with CarPlay and a couple of wired speakers.

If it cost more than 25k out the door we will probably just get a new Bolt ev or a used Hyundai/kia that’s still in warranty. Agreed that slate is in danger of pricing themselves over the traditional competition.

 

[Letas]

We have a 25 hybrid maverick. The slate can’t replace it ( crew cab, AWD, 4k towing… 35-42 mpg!) but it can compliment it. I like the mav for all the truck stuff it can do plus it’s a lariat so a nice enough long range cruiser too, where’s the slate can handle daily local trips keeping the wear and tear off the mav.

In that capacity all we want is the blank slate, maybe power windows, and a tonneau cover or simple suv shell… don’t need the extra seats. Don’t give a rats ass about the cosmetics, but will add a double din radio with CarPlay and a couple of wired speakers.

If it cost more than 25k out the door we will probably just get a new Bolt ev or a used Hyundai/kia that’s still in warranty. Agreed that slate is in danger of pricing themselves over the traditional competition.

Lots of people are saying this would compliment their current cars, or “be great for in town contractors”, but I think that market is just too small to build an entire company off.
Really wish they would’ve offered a AWD/4x4 option with reasonable range. Something to daily without feeling significant limitations.

 

[Adam W]

I wonder how much of the price is dictated by their emphasis on US manufacturing and suppliers. With the Maverick built in Mexico and everything coming over from Asia, that alone seems to put Slate at a disadvantage right out of the gate price wise.