Reusing and recycling accessories

[ScooterAsheville]

I did a few searches for keywords before posting this thread. I hope I didn't miss a thread that already suggests this.

I've been thinking about the whole concept of buying a blank Slate, then accessorizing. I'm mildly troubled by the idea of all the original parts going into dumps all across America. I have a few ideas for avoiding this, and maybe others (including Slate) have other ideas.

1. Slate can have a mildly incentivized "mail it back" program. Say I buy new interior trim. If I mail it back the original parts in the original packaging, maybe Slate gives me a 5% rebate on the new parts. Ideally, Slate would then reuse the returned parts in production.
2. Slate could mildly change their production process down the road to offer the most common accessories as a package. This complicates the build line, but maybe no so much. Say once a quarter Slate dedicates a whole week's production to building only "Fancy Slates". Like an interior trim upgrade with automatic windows, the nice trim upgrades, etc.
3. This site could have a "Swap" section where owners could swap parts they've replaced. For instance, somebody gets a fender ding. No biggie. Somebody on the site has that piece sitting in the garage and is happy to mail it postage due.
4. Maybe Slate could have a "how to recycle" section on their website for owners upgrading their vehicles.

My point is just that I can see a lot of bits and pieces going into the garbage bin. Anybody have other ideas?

 

[Imhotep]

I've been thinking about the whole concept of buying a blank Slate, then accessorizing. I'm mildly troubled by the idea of all the original parts going into dumps all across America.

Good point. We cannot rely on others to take the lead but we can control what we do as individuals. I would gladly swap with other Slate owners who don’t feel that they have to have new parts. This forum could serve as a launching pad for such an endeavor.

 

[Whitesands]

Ideally the dealer network they use to sell the trucks will send any replaced parts back to the factory. Although I can see some kind swap marketplace for other replaced accessories.

 

[AZFox]

Ideally the dealer network they use to sell the trucks will send any replaced parts back to the factory.

What do you expect the factory to do with the slightly-used take-offs?

 

[sodamo]

Seems to me there might be 2 categories of parts. 1. Those exchanged right after manufacture, Tires, wheels, bumpers etc) that Slate can reinstall as new because they still are and 2. The DIY parts, which may or may not be unused.

 

[Whitesands]

What do you expect the factory to do with the slightly-used take-offs?

The idea is that the factory parts they replace pre-delivery could be sent back to the factory as those would be unused.

 

[AZFox]

The idea is that the factory parts they replace pre-delivery could be sent back to the factory as those would be unused.

OK we just disagree about whether take-off parts that have been briefly used, removed, and shipped back to the factory are still factory-new.

 

[sodamo]

OK we just disagree about whether take-off parts that have been briefly used, removed, and shipped back to the factory are still factory-new.

So some sort of a part inspection recertification program?

 

[Luxrage]

If Slate does go through with the partnered service center, they'll have trucks coming and going all week delivering parts to and from them. Just throw the return wheels and tires from the base model someone upfitted onto the truck back to the distribution center. Or keep a set of spare base bumpers and things someone had upgraded on site in case one arrives and fails pre-purchase and they can quickly swap it out.

 

[E90400K]

Such a process would be more expensive to Slate than adding computer production control to their assembly process to feed the production line with the correct parts at the stations on the line where they are installed. This is how current manufacturers build varying trims on their assembly lines.

 

[Richard Killian]

If I choose 20” wheels at the time I order my new slate, what happens to the 17” steel wheels?

 

[AZFox]

If I choose 20” wheels at the time I order my new slate, what happens to the 17” steel wheels?

Exactly.

 

[Adam W]

If I choose 20” wheels at the time I order my new slate, what happens to the 17” steel wheels?

Ding ding ding! This is the fun logistics issue I'm looking forward to seeing the solution to. Presumably you won't get the 20s on the truck and the full set of 17s thrown in the bed. But maybe you will?! Everything so far has been talked about in terms of "add on" and not "replacement." So... *shrug*

 

[Luxrage]

Such a process would be more expensive to Slate than adding computer production control to their assembly process to feed the production line with the correct parts at the stations on the line where they are installed. This is how current manufacturers build varying trims on their assembly lines.

I agree, there has to be SOME things they would do factory side. Every set of upsized wheels and tires they install at the factory is one set they don't have to ship back. SUV kit I can maybe get, but the lift kit, larger tires, the things that involve actual swaps, you think they'd do that in-factory just to keep the parts pool up.

Unoptimized startup company trends make me think they'll build nothing but blank Slates and have a separate area of the plant where a team has to 'upfit' them and take off the newly installed parts and put on the upgrades.

 

[Richard Killian]

Good. thoughts. New car dealers cannot swap tires and wheels from new car to new car and then sell the cars with swapped tires ( even if never used). My guess is that they will install tires at very end of production just before it goes out the door.