Q&A with CEO Chris Barman (Dec 16, 2025). Slateforums gets a shout out 🙌

[CELison]

If this is single motor, will it have a conventional rear diff? If so, I imagine it will be open, which may limit driving in snow a bit. I get the weight distribution and battery placement will help traction, but it's hard to overcome and open rear end in a pickup truck in low traction situations.

 

[thommeigh]

Woohoo! I submitted the question on the pricing for the SUV kit and larger battery pack - exciting that one made the cut.

 

[vin5203]

Neither Doug nor anyone else can review a production Slate, because there is no completed assembly line to build them. Hand built prototypes have about as much to do with production vehicles as cats do with dogs.

FWIW, I thought the whole presentation was incredibly lame, and I was pretty enthusiastic going in. The first bit of it, I got the impression that she was reading the cards and thinking "our reservation holders are morons". Several of her answeres were patronizing evasions, like the AWD question.

Lame or not, it was nice of them to take the time to do the video. It shows they're trying. And we got to see some robots on pedestals.

Agree! I wanted to like it but found it "lame" and "patronizing" as well. Maybe a more enthusiastic and polished spokesperson.

 

[RevCaptJack]

As a midwesterner at heart, living out west, the Midwest does not lay claim to the toughest winter driving conditions, at all. Anyone can drive in snow over flat ground. Driving mountain passes is a different beast, even if overall snow totals are lower.

There is a very large population of people who won’t even consider a car unless it is AWD or 4x4 for that reason. Even if it performs well in snow, chain control requirements out west really handcuff buyers.

Yep. Like I said, much of the time 4WD is not needed. But like you said, there are times when it is needed. My son lives in a place where without 4WD he might not make it out of the neighborhood.

 

[Johnologue]

Almost missed the lead post's mention of AI, so I'm going to wait to comment until I watch the whole thing.

 

[danielt1263]

Neither Doug nor anyone else can review a production Slate, because there is no completed assembly line to build them. Hand built prototypes have about as much to do with production vehicles as cats do with dogs.

FWIW, I thought the whole presentation was incredibly lame, and I was pretty enthusiastic going in. The first bit of it, I got the impression that she was reading the cards and thinking "our reservation holders are morons". Several of her answeres were patronizing evasions, like the AWD question.

Lame or not, it was nice of them to take the time to do the video. It shows they're trying. And we got to see some robots on pedestals.

Doug reviewed the Telo truck and not only is that a prototype, they have fewer prototypes than Slate has.

 

[Susan]

I think the reference looks something like this, eg Cybertruck, if you can imagine a tent over the pickup bed:

Thanks for figuring it out.

And oh my. I guess somebody wants that.

 

[AZFox]

And oh my. I guess somebody wants that.

Maybe some former Pontiac Aztek owners who are pining for the good ol' days.

 

[AZFox]

I'm willing to cut them some slack.
I greatly appreciate the effort.

The company's CEO has important things to do besides craft a 100% Perfect Q&A PR video.

 

[AZFox]

Would be nice to see a more informative, detailed followup session. I’m sure they have the questions.

IMHO they should do something periodically (monthly?).

The next one doesn't need to be Chris Barman. It could be Eric Keipper riffing on engineering, Tisha Johnson riffing on the design, or Jeff Jablanski &/or Senior Agent Aphrodite on general topics.

Or some/all of the above in a group, sitting around a table talking about what's going on and what to expect. Record it with a podcasting audio console and some halfway-decent microphones.

It doesn't need to be the Q&A format.

I've been thinking they should do a podcast. That tangent is a rabbit trail that should be in a separate thread.

They have plenty of stories to share, I'm sure.

 

[sodamo]

IMHO they should do something periodically (monthly?).

The next one doesn't need to be Chris Barman. It could be Eric Keipper riffing on engineering, Tisha Johnson riffing on the design, or Jeff Jablanski &/or Senior Agent Aphrodite on general topics.

Or some/all of the above in a group, sitting around a table talking about what's going on and what to expect. Record it with a podcasting audio console and some halfway-decent microphones.

It doesn't need to be the Q&A format.

I've been thinking they should do a podcast. That tangent is a rabbit trail that should be in a separate thread.

They have plenty of stories to share, I'm sure.

Excellent suggestion, even make it scheduled, made anticipation of an event every 15th Of the month

 

[E90400K]

Yep. Like I said, much of the time 4WD is not needed. But like you said, there are times when it is needed. My son lives in a place where without 4WD he might not make it out of the neighborhood.

But 4WD is not just for snow. I use mine in 4WD just on my property alone that is a mountain, in the summer.

And traditional 2WD American pickups are lousy in the snow without adding weight in the bed. 4WD pickups are far better in the snow.

 

[AZFox]

Excellent suggestion, even make it scheduled, made anticipation of an event every 15th Of the month

There are microphones with 32-bit recorders built in (e.g. "RØDE Interview Pro").

Mr. Jablansky could have someone run around with one of those interviewing people and put that together as a podcast.

Now THAT would be scrappy.

 

[The Weatherman]

I was hoping for at LEAST a little more technical answers. Like for the flat towing, she could have at least gave a reason instead of just no. Like, "No, the combination motor drivetrain won't allow for a disconnect."

Regen braking (coasting)! The eltrons generated by the spinning wheel has to go somewhere and when the battery is full there is no place to go. Bad things happen when electricity gets converted to heat. 🙁

 

[mthulhu]

On AWD: Her response was so perfect. People insist on needing AWD to get through a bit of snow. 50/50 weight distribution and good driving is going to get you through so much better than you’d think. Its more fun this way too.

On Doug: In the ultra-affordable car videos I’ve seen from Doug he just drags and drags on the cars for being cheap. I don't think he's going to have much love for this minimalist machine… Hopefully I am wrong.