Single Din Radio Mount Accessory

[Mac-Tyson]

Slate Auto design philosophy is built around radical simplicity for the base Blank Slate and allowing the consumer what they want and don't want in a vehicle. One area that might prove to be a detractor for some is the lack of a radio. For me it's not a big deal I use my phone for my audio and one of the appeals of Slate is taking out the middleman of Android Auto/Apple Car Play. But taking out the radio completely and not offering it as an accessory (at this point in time) is definitely a bit revolutionary that hasn't been done before to my knowledge. Now it's not all doom and gloom for people who want a traditional radio in their Slate Truck though, since Slate from my understanding is designing the Truck for easy install of a Double Din Radio. But there are two issues with this. First, from what I can find most if not all the double din radio's come with an infotainment screen and for some the attractiveness of the Slate Truck is the lack of screens. Second, for a less informed consumer looking to buy a Slate Truck they might not even know that this is an option available to them. All they will see is that there isn't a radio and no option to add one on the customizer. I believe both of these options can be remedied by offering a Single Din Radio Mount.

I believe this will be a good remedy because first by having a single din radio mount advertised as an accessory on the customizer it's an easy way of conveying to the consumer that installing aftermarket radio's is an option for those who desire it. As added bonus you can even add to the description that Slate has designed the Truck around the easy install of Double Din Radio's but for those who want a Single Din Radio they are offering this easy to install mount. That way people who want a Double Din Radio with Android Auto/Apple Car play know that it's already compatible with it and those who want more options for single din radio without a large infotainment screen have this mount as option. This mount would likely not cost Slate much to produce and might help persuade an on the fence consumer to purchase their Slate Truck (even though I don't think the lack of radio is a deal breaker to most). Finally, you can also put the designs up as potential 3D Print option for those who have that option available to them.

What do you guys think about this? Should Slate offer this as an accessory? Or just double down on their marketing around the app to sell it? Since there is an argument to be made that if the app is designed well enough this potential weakness or detractor could become one of Slate's strongest differentiating factor.

 

[stEVe]

I like your idea, but I don’t expect Slate to stray far from their “keep it simple” philosophy. What I do see coming is a wave of third-party companies creating a variety of aftermarket products for the truck. And knowing this community, I’m sure plenty of creative owners will come up with clever ways to add features like a Double Din, complete with step-by-step DIY guides. Slate seems to be encouraging exactly that kind of ingenuity.

 

[KevinRS]

I'm sure before launch they will have double and single din mounts shown, that you will be able to buy, and probably files available to download if you want to customize and print your own or order it from a service.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

I like your idea, but I don’t expect Slate to stray far from their “keep it simple” philosophy. What I do see coming is a wave of third-party companies creating a variety of aftermarket products for the truck. And knowing this community, I’m sure plenty of creative owners will come up with clever ways to add features like a Double Din, complete with step-by-step DIY guides. Slate seems to be encouraging exactly that kind of ingenuity.

I agree I'm sure there will be dedicated thread on here and reddit that go over what aftermarket radio they think is best for the Slate Truck. But this idea is more for the consumer who isn't on these sites and might not even know this option is available to them.