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

[E90400K]

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

I was discussing of the rear seat in the YJ Wrangler. It easily folded together and slid out of its mounts and was completely removable from the vehicle (without tools), which made for an open cargo area. In vehicles where the seat backs fold forward (and lay flat or mostly flat) they soundly lock into the frame of the car at several points. My 2-door Bronco for example, the seat bottoms flip up and the seatbacks fold nearly flat into the cavity. The Bronco's rear seats have numerous contact points with the chassis. The Slates (original) pickup bed orientation makes it difficult for Slate to inexpensively make a fold flat seat since the chassis contact points are in the pickup bed area and would get in the way of the flat bed of the pickup box and walls. Having a dual-configuration chassis comes with compromises.

 

[AZFox]

The 60/40 seats of this prototype look like they're designed to fold.

 

[RequiredInfo]

I was largely disappointed by the Q&A, the tone did not come across well. Slate initiated the Q&A, chose the time, place, and particular questions. Many of the questions might've been answered in a previous video, but which one(s) of the hundreds cover things like the backup cam location, and when in the video? Videos are terrible for finding info in. The slate auto website FAQ hasn't been updated in the week since the video with any of the info. How many new reservations does Slate predict to make, and how many did they predict to lose? I'm keeping my reservation, but if this is the kind of information and company attitude I can expect going forward, I'm certainly not going to be making any recommendations, and keeping my options open.

 

[SichuanHot]

I was largely disappointed by the Q&A, the tone did not come across well. Slate initiated the Q&A, chose the time, place, and particular questions. Many of the questions might've been answered in a previous video, but which one(s) of the hundreds cover things like the backup cam location, and when in the video? Videos are terrible for finding info in. The slate auto website FAQ hasn't been updated in the week since the video with any of the info. How many new reservations does Slate predict to make, and how many did they predict to lose? I'm keeping my reservation, but if this is the kind of information and company attitude I can expect going forward, I'm certainly not going to be making any recommendations, and keeping my options open.

I echo your sentiments and also think reserving and preordering stuff is a fool's errand. I don't like putting money into something if it doesn't exist yet. If I'm gonna be investing in a company that doesn't have a product to market, it better be in their stocks.

 

[ValkorTheOptimistic]

On the one hand, I wish there had been more of a focus on things that weren't already in the FAQ (though I am thankful for the what new information was presented), but on the other hand, all these comments about getting personal answers REALLY makes me wish I had gotten my act together and sent in questions.

 

[cadblu]

On the one hand, I wish there had been more of a focus on things that weren't already in the FAQ (though I am thankful for the what new information was presented), but on the other hand, all these comments about getting personal answers REALLY makes me wish I had gotten my act together and sent in questions.

Don’t worry, I sent a question and didn’t receive any response. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

 

[Bayfire2441]

Don’t worry, I sent a question and didn’t receive any response. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

I've been slowly getting more and more responses (I asked a few questions) over time, so I believe its just taking them awhile to work through them.

 

[sodamo]

I get answers to questions I ask, but not the ones submitted for the Q&A

 

[metroshot]

I get answers to questions I ask, but not the ones submitted for the Q&A

One question I submitted was not answered on the video; but 6 days later, it was!

Slate actually sent an email about my questions on Tesla Supercharging!

 

[AKrietzer]

Never got my question answered about Tesla Supercharger partnership, plug and charge and how it would work since the vehicle does not connect to the Internet.

Would that be something that could be handled through the Slate app while you are at the charger?

 

[metroshot]

Would that be something that could be handled through the Slate app while you are at the charger?

Yes, using the Tesla app will most likely be the way other non Tesla brands are handled.
My current EV is signed up for a monthly $12.99 Tesla driver rate in order to get 25% off the non Tesla rate.

I hate having to open the Tesla app, choose the location, then tower number to get the lower rate.

I was hoping that Slate and Tesla can sign a deal for "Plug and Charge" thru their app which means no need to open the Tesla app in order to get their discounted driver rate.

I prefer true plug and charge.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

I asked a few questions for the Q&A, and they answered one of them via email.

I asked how the door handles are connected to the door latches. (I won't buy a vehicle with electric door handles)

They responded:
"This is Jimmy from Slate. Thanks for taking the time to submit your questions to our team. I wanted to follow up and make sure you got an answer.

Great question. We've designed the Slate to be as simple and DIY-friendly as possible while ensuring reliability. I don't have the specific technical details on the door latch mechanism available to share yet, but I can tell you that repairability and keeping things straightforward is a core part of our design philosophy.
Keep an eye out for Slate University - an online library of resources and video tutorials covering everything from maintenance to personalization. That's where you'll find detailed technical specs and repair information."

So not really an answer, haha. I'm guessing it's a mechanical linkage, but I was hoping they would confirm it.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

They just sent an answer to my other question I sent in. I don't have my original wording, but I asked what they're doing to make sure their parts and accessories don't become a "closed ecosystem", and about whether or not anything was going to be "subscription based" (thinking about the Slate app, etc).

"To answer your question, we are aiming to keep our parts very simple here at Slate. Nearly all of our parts can be found at any typical auto shop, and the pieces such as body panels, can be ordered directly through us by you. Secondly, Slate will not be utilizing any subscription based services at this point. We wanted your vehicle to not only be something you can DIY and have fun working on, but fully own!"

 

[ElectricDiva]

The question I asked was whether or not they were still on track to start delivering units to reservation holders in Q4 of 2026 and the email reply said that they are still on schedule for that. Exactly where my reservation is in the queue…<Shrug>.

Any news on timing? Last I heard, they were hoping to start deliveries before the end of 2026.

 

[AZFox]

"To answer your question, we are aiming to keep our parts very simple here at Slate. Nearly all of our parts can be found at any typical auto shop, and the pieces such as body panels, can be ordered directly through us by you.

Interesting wording. Through, not from.

Secondly, Slate will not be utilizing any subscription based services at this point. We wanted your vehicle to not only be something you can DIY and have fun working on, but fully own!"

This is encouraging!

Even with the Hedge Words "at this point" thrown in there for potential plausible deniability.