Slate Auto Selects Kenda Tire as Official Supplier

[AZFox]

I wonder how popular the $2,500 upgrade to UHP tires on 20" wheels will be.

 

[Gladstone]

Kenda makes decent tires, as has been posted they've been around for a while. They are a solid "named budget brand", I've ran a few sets of Kenda klever A/T and R/T along with some form of Vezda touring tires. No particular issues with any of them, at the time they were all significantly cheaper than similar sets from BFG/Good Year/Michelin.

I didn't see a linked press release, but is this official new info? Kenda has been in the configurator for a while..

 

[Auer]

I wonder how popular the $2,500 upgrade to UHP tires on 20" wheels will be.

Well priced for that segment.
I likely bite.

 

[007]

Every tire on the Slate builder is made by Kenda.

 

[Goodyear]

I am an avid cyclist. Kenda not bad on the bike. But like others have said, not apples to oranges.

What I find interesting is this statement:

"Under the new agreement, Kenda will be responsible for researching, developing, and manufacturing original equipment tires specifically engineered for Slate’s electric truck."

How much R&D can be completed in 6 months to include production to fill the orders by Jan (edit now December)? Not saying it can't happen but to think a tire specifically for the Slate was turned around that quick seems to be asking a lot. Unless R&D means finding a current tire that will fill the need. That I can buy.

Whose tires were used to determine the original battery range? I assume (always dangerous) that research was started awhile back.

 

[007]

The range was revised to 205 when the new battery/ supplier was announced. I assume the range is based the standard rolling stock. It wouldn't surprise me if every tire upgrade is a range downgrade.

 

[RobertOne]

I'm a little concerned about the choice of Kenda for the supplier of tires. On their web site, Kenda lists three retailers in my area. None are major tire outlets. One is a body shop on the verge of bankruptcy, the second is a auto parts store that sells a few tires on the side, and the third specializes in big truck tires. None of these dealers is likely to carry the correct tire in stock. None of the major tire dealers handle Kenda tires. It looks like I'll probably be replacing tires sooner rather than later.

 

[tubes]

I'm a little concerned about the choice of Kenda for the supplier of tires. On their web site, Kenda lists three retailers in my area. None are major tire outlets. One is a body shop on the verge of bankruptcy, the second is a auto parts store that sells a few tires on the side, and the third specializes in big truck tires. None of these dealers is likely to carry the correct tire in stock. None of the major tire dealers handle Kenda tires. It looks like I'll probably be replacing tires sooner rather than later.

So the parallels to Saturn continue. Saturn worked with Firestone (I think) for a special Saturn tire. Saturn heavily encouraged a direct replacement for best handling characteristics.

The tire would be a special order. We early adopters blew it off and reported back to our friends on usenet that we didn't die or discern any major issues with our Goodyears and Michelins.

 

[AZFox]

The supply of take-off stock Slate tires will be ample because everyone who switches to a different tire will have a set of stock tires they don't need.

 

[Bo’sFarmGeneva]

Do we know anything about Kenda? It's not a name I've heard before and all I know about EVs and tires is that EVs supposedly chew threw them a bit faster.

not an American company. Taiwan

 

[FlyHappy]

I'm a little concerned about the choice of Kenda for the supplier of tires. On their web site, Kenda lists three retailers in my area. None are major tire outlets. One is a body shop on the verge of bankruptcy, the second is a auto parts store that sells a few tires on the side, and the third specializes in big truck tires. None of these dealers is likely to carry the correct tire in stock. None of the major tire dealers handle Kenda tires. It looks like I'll probably be replacing tires sooner rather than later.

why the concern? The sizes are common, made by many companies. Besides, few retailers carry a large array of sizes "in stock", most relying on same/next day delivery from a warehouse/distribution center, regardless of brand.
why would you feel the need to prematurely replace the OEM Kenda's merely because they aren't rep'd by many nearby retailers?

 

[FlyHappy]

Do we know anything about Kenda? It's not a name I've heard before and all I know about EVs and tires is that EVs supposedly chew threw them a bit faster.

ya know, a Slate in truck form weights 4038lb, which is barely more then many modern "family" midsize ICE vehicle we see on the road all around us. I'm not sure we'd see a marked difference in wear, all other things being equal (which of course, they never are).

 

[Johnologue]

The range was revised to 205 when the new battery/ supplier was announced. I assume the range is based the standard rolling stock. It wouldn't surprise me if every tire upgrade is a range downgrade.

I really hope they include more specs and an estimated/tested range penalty on the Maker so people can make an informed decision.

ya know, a Slate in truck form weights 4038lb, which is barely more then many modern "family" midsize ICE vehicle we see on the road all around us. I'm not sure we'd see a marked difference in wear, all other things being equal (which of course, they never are).

I believe they're the same tires that were spec'd for a 3600 lb Slate, but they're extra load rated to begin with.

Higher-profile tires like the Slate's 245/65/17 (65 is the profile) are cheaper, quieter, more durable, and slower-wearing than the low-profile tires typical on modern cars.

I realized they may have been picked because the Slate is a "truck", but it's a good pick regardless.

 

[tubes]

My recent post about Saturn addresses doing the same as Kenda-Slate. In Saturn's time (1990) it was Saturn-Firestone. My gut feeling about this is it is a bit of a quid-pro-quo. In English, this means that Slate puts out statements about how great it is to work with Kenda, and Kenda provides some design guidance and specific tires. They both benefit: Slate gets a tire and wheel design that works, Kenda gets publicity to push many of us to consider them at replacement time.

 

[007]

I really hope they include more specs and an estimated/tested range penalty on the Maker so people can make an informed decision.

That's one reason I'm keeping my delivery window for April 2027. We'll learn more from people who wanted their trucks ASAP.