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

[AZFox]

The video currently has 360 comments.
They're predominantly positive. 🙂👍

 

[E90400K]

That whole video was a choice. If this is how they want to treat reservation holders questions then I'm not sure I want to see how they treat customers once we have vehicles in hand (I can cancel my reservation and get my $50 back, once I have a truck in hand it's much harder to get my $25k back.) I want to say there was only one issue with the video but between the condescending tone towards reservation holders and the lack of or half answers in the questions they did decide to answer... It just turns me right off and killed a bit of my enthusiasm about this venture.

Well said.

 

[bartflossom]

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

That would be me.

 

[ValkorTheOptimistic]

That would be me.

And related to niche kits like that tent, or locking compartments from the Q&A, I wish the corporate response hadn't been "we're working on it", but rather, "that's the ideal market for 3rd party accessory makers, supported by our extensive documentation for product design". The rear seat well seems like a great possibility for accessory space, but we're still waiting for documentation about actual panel, body and frame dimensions.

Please, no scope creep.

 

[AZFox]

 

[Paul]

. Being raised in Michigan in the 50s and 60s I don’t get the need for 4WD! I know it’s handy sometimes and maybe even necessary at times but we never had it and my current old pickup doesn’t have 4WD. Most of the time there’s really no need for it. As Click and Clack the Car Talk guys used to say, 4WD just means you get stuck in deeper snow! 😊. Looking forward to my 2WD Slate!

I've been thinking about this and I too grew up with RWD cars and snow tires. The difference here is that it's a 50/50 weight ratio and you don't have a big ass engine sitting on the front and rear drive wheels With basically nothing over them. The motor unit is sitting on the back wheels, thinking like an air-cooled VW and The mass of the battery sitting in the center makes it 50/50 with a low center of gravity. So I would think with the right rated snow tires for winter and if you're really cheap maybe just two on the back. This could be pretty good.

 

[JImmy]

Listened and then watched the video and love her sense of humor. then several days later received an email that answered all my personal questions. Waiting for the tour and touching one and then buying one.

 

[RevCaptJack]

I've been thinking about this and I too grew up with RWD cars and snow tires. The difference here is that it's a 50/50 weight ratio and you don't have a big ass engine sitting on the front and rear drive wheels With basically nothing over them. The motor unit is sitting on the back wheels, thinking like an air-cooled VW and The mass of the battery sitting in the center makes it 50/50 with a low center of gravity. So I would think with the right rated snow tires for winter and if you're really cheap maybe just two on the back. This could be pretty good.

What you say makes sense. But for me, who now lives in Florida, I guess it won’t be an issue. 😊. Merry Christmas! 🎄

 

[AKrietzer]

Does anyone know if the back seat backs folds down (forward) for hauling larger things? It looks like the back is in two pieces, but I don't remember seeing any pictures with it folded.

 

[cadblu]

Does anyone know if the back seat backs folds down (forward) for hauling larger things? It looks like the back is in two pieces, but I don't remember seeing any pictures with it folded.

From everything I’ve seen and read, the rear seat backs do not fold down. Which is unfortunate because it would increase the cargo capacity. Certain pictures show two pieces because that’s how it’s shipped. I guess trips to IKEA are not easily possible for large items.

 

[E90400K]

From everything I’ve seen and read, the rear seat backs do not fold down. Which is unfortunate because it would increase the cargo capacity. Certain pictures show two pieces because that’s how it’s shipped. I guess trips to IKEA are not easily possible for large items.

I bet trying to meet crash protection targets prevents an easily folding/removable rear seat. My 1995 Wrangler had a great rear seat design. The seat back folded down to the bottom cushion, then the whole seat could be folded forward or pulled out by releasing a pin and sliding it out of its forward mounts. A great design but I'd never want to be in the rear seat in an accident*. Yikes!

*Hell, I never wanted to be in an accident in that Jeep regardless of what seat I was in.

 

[Letas]

I bet trying to meet crash protection targets prevents an easily folding/removable rear seat. My 1995 Wrangler had a great rear seat design. The seat back folded down to the bottom cushion, then the whole seat could be folded forward or pulled out by releasing a pin and sliding it out of its forward mounts. A great design but I'd never want to be in the rear seat in an accident*. Yikes!

*Hell, I never wanted to be in an accident in that Jeep regardless of what seat I was in.

I’d doubt if it’s a crash thing, lay flat seats are pretty common these days.

 

[Bayfire2441]

I don't know if anyone else has brought it up, but it seems our Q&A questions have been pushed to the general support team as I got two answers from their support team, I assume the one is in response to me asking if they would do factory delivery to which they replied "At this time that is not something that will be offered as a part of the delivery process but stay tuned." I'm unsure what the second response I got was for as I don't remember all the questions I asked.

 

[MotoGary]

I don't know if anyone else has brought it up, but it seems our Q&A questions have been pushed to the general support team as I got two answers from their support team, I assume the one is in response to me asking if they would do factory delivery to which they replied "At this time that is not something that will be offered as a part of the delivery process but stay tuned." I'm unsure what the second response I got was for as I don't remember all the questions I asked.

I also received an email from Slate today with a response to my question regarding their OTA update procedures. I let them know of my frustrations with OTA updates on my F150 Lightning and my hope that Slate has a better plan in place. Here's their response:

Hi MotoGary,

Thank you for your message and congratulations on reserving your Slate!

At this time we have not announced the details of our over the air updates but they will be much less complex than what you experienced with your vehicle. SLATE is designed to be easy to use and any updates will enhance ownership rather than complicate the experience. The exciting updates are with the nearly limitless options and accessories that we are continuing to develop. Look for more confirmed information to be announced in the coming months including more details on OTA updates and much more - stay tuned!

Thank you again for reaching out - our team of SLATE Agents are always here to answer any questions you may have - Happy Holidays!

 

[Bayfire2441]

I also received an email from Slate today with a response to my question regarding their OTA update procedures. I let them know of my frustrations with OTA updates on my F150 Lightning and my hope that Slate has a better plan in place. Here's their response:

Hi MotoGary,

Thank you for your message and congratulations on reserving your Slate!

At this time we have not announced the details of our over the air updates but they will be much less complex than what you experienced with your vehicle. SLATE is designed to be easy to use and any updates will enhance ownership rather than complicate the experience. The exciting updates are with the nearly limitless options and accessories that we are continuing to develop. Look for more confirmed information to be announced in the coming months including more details on OTA updates and much more - stay tuned!

Thank you again for reaching out - our team of SLATE Agents are always here to answer any questions you may have - Happy Holidays!

I feel like they've said the OTA will be through the app but thats about it. I believe the second email I got was in response to my question about battery preconditioning.
"Once production begins we will be able to confirm this capability. Our Slate application will facilitate all of the processes that are essential to the Slates successful operation in all weather conditions."