Simplicity!

[Imhotep]

Interesting. I assumed the reduced SKU number was something like a 10mm x 25mm bolt being one SKU. There might be 100 of them in the truck but it's still just one SKU. I hate working on things that have a bunch of similar but different bolts. I want to use my 10mm socket for everything. (Assuming I can find it.)

10 mm? I haven’t owned an American vehicle built after 1985. Do they use metric now?

 

[The Weatherman]

I’m not really over concerned with how many parts/assemblies whatever there is, but that there’s a simple, reasonably priced EV trucklet that I can treat like an actual vehicle. I’ve been shopping for a replacement for my Model Y. The Volvo I looked at had a CRYSTAL SHIFT KNOB for crying out loud. Most of the EVS on the market would not look very good with a gallon of housepaint in them, or a big fuzzy dog, or what have you. The Rivian and the Cybertruck are way more vehicle than I want or need. I haven’t stop to GAS up for ten years, so a Maverick, Colorado, etc are not for me until they are battery powered. Slate seems like what I need/want. A bit more range would be nice, but for 99% of my driving the promised 240 would be more than adequate.

Don’t overlook the F150 Lightning. I’ve driven one for nearly 3yrs now and still smile every time I head down the driveway, with the bed full or not.

 

[KevinRS]

10 mm? I haven’t owned an American vehicle built after 1985. Do they use metric now?

Looks like it had already started then, and by the 90s all new designs were using exclusively metric.

 

[sodamo]

Even the leadership team at Slate Auto acknowledges that the Maverick is an obvious competitor to the Slate truck, along with used vehicles. To dismiss this statement of fact is just being argumentative.

True, Maverick, lamborghini, Japanese kei truck, all competitors, just details that differ.

 

[KevinRS]

Slate and Maverick fill 2 different purposes, for many people they aren't going to overlap much, sure for some they will, but Maverick, even the hybrid version is purely gas powered, it's not a plug in hybrid.
Maverick is smaller than most other current pickups sure, so maybe it is the closest thing in form to Slate, but most of us aren't considering a Slate or a Maverick. It's Slate or another EV, or Slate or a used vehicle, etc. Some are considering Slate vs Lightning or Rivian.
If Maverick fits your needs better than Slate, because you need the increased towing or something else it has, then just get the Maverick.

 

[zipn]

Slate and Maverick fill 2 different purposes, for many people they aren't going to overlap much, sure for some they will, but Maverick, even the hybrid version is purely gas powered, it's not a plug in hybrid.
Maverick is smaller than most other current pickups sure, so maybe it is the closest thing in form to Slate, but most of us aren't considering a Slate or a Maverick. It's Slate or another EV, or Slate or a used vehicle, etc. Some are considering Slate vs Lightning or Rivian.
If Maverick fits your needs better than Slate, because you need the increased towing or something else it has, then just get the Maverick.

Ww have an excellent hybrid maverick and also reserved a slate. The Slate ( with topper);would take the role of our simple, around town EV. The maverick is the real truck with AWD, 4k towing and our road tripper. The Slate doesn’t replace our maverick, it compliments it.

 

[GaRailroader]

Ww have an excellent hybrid maverick and also reserved a slate. The Slate ( with topper);would take the role of our simple, around town EV. The maverick is the real truck with AWD, 4k towing and our road tripper. The Slate doesn’t replace our maverick, it compliments it.

I think a Maverick would find it in a household's vehicle #1 spot whereas a Slate will more commonly be vehicle #2. For me, we are taking delivery of a Tesla Model Y with 357 miles of range on 12/22 and that will be vehicle #1. My 2018 Tesla Model 3 commuter will be replaced by the Slate as vehicle #2.

 

[atx_ev]

But philosophically ICE needs to remain a viable transportation power source. For example, many people like to ride motorcycles and especially tour on them. Even with the advanced age of the EV battery no one has a solution for a tour bike that can get 200 - 250 miles per tank. I'm looking to replace my 26-year-old touring bike in 2026, and there are zero electric options. There are numerous electric motorcycles that have 80 to 100 miles of range but take too much time to recharge enroute. There simply is not enough real estate on a motorcycle to pack a large battery and the charging electronics to recover range in a reasonable rest period. And touring takes the rider places where charging infrastructure is not plentiful.

In motorcycles maybe the battery is easily accessible so you will just do a battery swap, not a charge. Still may not be enough range, so stick to gas.

 

[zipn]

I think a Maverick would find it in a household's vehicle #1 spot whereas a Slate will more commonly be vehicle #2. For me, we are taking delivery of a Tesla Model Y with 357 miles of range on 12/22 and that will be vehicle #1. My 2018 Tesla Model 3 commuter will be replaced by the Slate as vehicle #2.

Funny, when we got our first EV (a 23 Bolt EUV) I thought it would be the 2nd vehicle and just used occasionally. Within a week or so it became the primary vehicle of choice and we only went non-EV when the trip/use case required it. Wife is now no longer driving, so we sold it last year for just a little under what we paid for it and I wound up getting the new 25 Maverick Hybrid Lariat with AWD and 4K towing. I plan on having the truck forever so going forward we want to have an EV again for in-town trips to save the wear and tear on the truck.

I don't know what we'll wind up with Slate? Kia/Hyundai? Ford EV? Leaf!? No Tesla and no GM without Carplay. We're not in a hurry. Slate will have to beat out other low-cost EV options next year, and right now it's probably 50/50 that we'll keep our reservation. I don't need another small truck but I appreciate the low cost, the simplicity, and the plastic body panels of the SLATE. When the SLATE start shipping we'll shop the market and see what bargains are available.

 

[GaRailroader]

No Tesla and no GM without Carplay.

Some pretty credible rumors that Tesla is adding CarPlay. A lot of people were expecting to get it in the Christmas update but it wasn’t there. Interestingly, the Tesla community is not pushing for CarPlay but I believe Tesla thinks there are many people, like yourself, that wouldn’t buy a Tesla without CarPlay. I am a CarPlay fan and it would be a requirement on a non-Tesla. My thought is with the Slate I’ll get some sort of CarPlay stereo with a retractable screen.

 

[sodamo]

My Slate will become number 1, somewhat replacing my Tundra. Most likely keep Tundra for awhile as only expense would be registration and insurance for most part. wife’s Ascent already #2. just for perspective she’ll have had 1 year this week, has just over 1400 miles.

 

[zipn]

Some pretty credible rumors that Tesla is adding CarPlay. A lot of people were expecting to get it in the Christmas update but it wasn’t there. Interestingly, the Tesla community is not pushing for CarPlay but I believe Tesla thinks there are many people, like yourself, that wouldn’t buy a Tesla without CarPlay. I am a CarPlay fan and it would be a requirement on a non-Tesla. My thought is with the Slate I’ll get some sort of CarPlay stereo with a retractable screen.

Interesting, but wouldn't take a Tesla if you gave me one.

I insist on CarPlay since we have multiple vehicles and all have CarPlay. My apps, My favorites, My Navigation, My Contacts... all of it follows me and my phone. I don't have to learn some crappy infotainment system. I like having a consistent interface.

Should we get a Slate, the first mod will be a double-din stereo with wireless CarPlay and a pair of decent speakers.

 

[Luxrage]

I agree 100% on the CarPlay, or in my case, Android Auto. I get why they try to do it, premium connectivity is something you can upcharge, but they don't need to try being premium software developers. I'll keep my already curated music on my apps, my instantly updated Waze maps, and the ability to swap profiles for each driver by just plugging their phone in instead!

10 mm? I haven’t owned an American vehicle built after 1985. Do they use metric now?

My '80s LTDs both had the 'new' AOD transmissions which were added to the cars 4 years after their introduction with very blunt METRIC on them to stop techs from stripping the bolts: