Pre-orders starting in June! See OFFICIAL confirmation from Slate Auto

[crownmountain]

I'm hoping that when they have pricing nailed down, the configurator will automatically price out the trucks we have built.

And since they are building a plant just for the wraps will the wrap order be separate. My bet is that it will be a seperate process.

 

[KevinRS]

Are pre-orders gonna be related to Reservations? How would that work? Did the article say when we could drive one? Where are all the betas they were making?

Just guessing here on everything.
Which betas? the ones they built before the factory, over half went to crash tests, a few are the ones going to demos, the rest probably are ones that aren't visually good for that kind of work.
We haven't heard lately how close the factory was to production, it is just possible that it is mostly ready and has started slowly putting together the first test trucks. Once they verify everything at the factory works, they will make some number of trucks to be tested internally, then some that go out for 3rd party certifications, then for test drives and increased events.

 

[danielt1263]

They explicitly said that production pilot vehicles will be coming off the assembly line this "summer" (presumably June/July/August). I figure that until then, all they had/have are the 75 prototypes they built, many of which have been sacrificed for crash tests, artificial aging, and the like.

 

[cadblu]

Are pre-orders gonna be related to Reservations? How would that work? Did the article say when we could drive one? Where are all the betas they were making?

I was curious about this as well. What is the difference between a pre-order and a reservation? Looks like there's not much of a difference, except the pre-order gets you a place in line / production queue. Here is an unofficial answer using AI:

	Reservation	Pre‑Order
Money required	small fee	likely an additional fee
Commitment	Very low	Low
Place in line	No	Yes
Refundable	yes	Usually yes
Locks price	No	No
Locks specs	No	No
Purpose	Gauge interest	Build a production queue

 

[bartflossom]

Build quality is gonna be one of the most interesting things for me. Even though I'm not buying year one, I'll be totally reading every review. Can't wait for 2027, to see people on this site reporting on their Slates. That's gonna rock.

I would usually do the same as you, but at 68 I'll get it as soon as I can and put up with the inevitable year one issues. I want as much time with a slate as possible.

 

[KevinRS]

I was curious about this as well. What is the difference between a pre-order and a reservation? Looks like there's not much of a difference, except the pre-order gets you a place in line / production queue. Here is an unofficial answer using AI:

	Reservation	Pre‑Order
Money required	small fee	likely an additional fee
Commitment	Very low	Low
Place in line	No	Yes
Refundable	yes	Usually yes
Locks price	No	No
Locks specs	No	No
Purpose	Gauge interest	Build a production queue

I expect that the pre-orders in June will lock in price, and real specs will be released at that time.

 

[Vehicle Nanny]

I would usually do the same as you, but at 68 I'll get it as soon as I can and put up with the inevitable year one issues. I want as much time with a slate as possible.

I'm with you, yet remain optimistic that Slate will put a lot of attention into these year one vehicles. They have a lot on the line not to do so.

 

[JImmy]

I have never bought a car, truck or motorcycle without a test drive/ride.
Hope to do the same with my slate. Yes 10 minute test drive/ride is not much but for the most part I 'feel' it after only a few minutes.
the rest of the 'small' details I will grow accustomed to or change.

 

[NMNeil]

Now here's a practical question.
If I place a firm order how will I get it to New Mexico. Do I collect it from the factory, do I have it shipped to my home and if so, what will it cost for delivery?
The DMV form to get it titled seems straightforward but they do need the original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) and the purchase agreement. (They want their tax).
https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mvd10002.pdf

 

[JoeBlow-Kokomo]

I'm hoping mine doesn't come due till 2nd year of production but that might be wishful thinking (getting it that soon). Do not want a year 1 truck.

 

[sodamo]

My understanding of the process.
you will pay Slate to transport to some location near you along with a number of other vehicles, Truckload? From there you have the option, either pick up yourself or pay for further delivery to your location ( or perhaps another location of your choosing). Where those locations are will likely be known later, closer to actual delivery.

 

[sodamo]

I'm hoping mine doesn't come due till 2nd year of production but that might be wishful thinking (getting it that soon). Do not want a year 1 truck.

There was something put off very early on suggesting if you did not order when you number came up reservation was still valid for later execution.

 

[danielt1263]

I have never bought a car, truck or motorcycle without a test drive/ride.

I'm just the opposite, at least with new cars.

 

[KevinRS]

I would definitely want to at least want to sit in a production vehicle. Driving: it's likely to just drive, and any issues will probably be reported on before I get the chance to commit to buying.

 

[E90400K]

I have never bought a car, truck or motorcycle without a test drive/ride.
Hope to do the same with my slate. Yes 10 minute test drive/ride is not much but for the most part I 'feel' it after only a few minutes.
the rest of the 'small' details I will grow accustomed to or change.

Me too. I test drive everything before I buy it, with one very recent exception, the BMW motorcycle I bought in December. I bought it out of state and it was finally delivered in February and I didn’t ride it until mid-March. My first ride did not return a favorable experience and had I test rode it before buying I probably would have passed on the bike. Now after some 500 miles of seat time, I am very happy with it.

BUT, I did go through the reservation > order > buy process with my '22 Bronco. With the Bronco I went to the Ford dealership tour of pre-production units. Then after initial order in January 2021, I got to drive two of my dealership's "mannequins". Both which were not anywhere near my ordered configuration. I hated both of them. I ordered a 2-door, manual Bronco (which was later canceled by Ford due to production issues). Both mannequins were 4-door automatics, one a 2.3L 4-cylinder and the other, the 2.7L V6.

Based on those test drives (a few months a part from each other) I was not going to reorder my Bronco for the 2022 model year. But I had until October 2021 to place my reorder. I decided to order in October and the Bronco finally arrived in August 2022. Even then I could have passed on it when it was delivered with no penalty. I test drove my Bronco twice before committing to buy it. I did not like it at first, but took a chance with it because I could resell it and make a profit. I'm glad I bought the Bronco because now after nearly 4 years with it I always look forward to driving it and really like it.

So for me there is hope I will like the Slate, but I still need to see one and drive it before I pull the order trigger.