Slate pickup sighting in downtown Warsaw, IN! (w/ frunk, bed, charging port closeup)

[cvollers]

Just to be clear, this doesn't necessarily mean that the Slate has an awesome frunk -- it's more an indication that the Cybertruck's frunk is unimpressive. For example, the frunk capacity of a Rivian R1T is 11.1 ft3, and for an F-150 Lightning it's 14.1 ft3.

Both the Rivian and the Lightning are full size trucks. The Slate is a compact. The Cybertruck suffers from small frunkitis because of a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with key systems that Tesla chooses to locate in the front for “ease of access”.

 

[Swinefuzz]

Felt and sounded like metal. Can't recall what he told me it was.

metal auto body panels require enormously expensive and just plain enormous equipment (3 stories tall) to stamp them out, so with this truck's makers fully intending to NOT do that in their own future factory, where'd they get these metal panels stamped?

It probably isn't metal. There are some plastics so dense and durable and nextgen that they can fool a human into believing they're metal.

I heard in one of the many, many videos on the Slate truck that they were going to use a polypropylene composite.

 

[YDR37]

Both the Rivian and the Lightning are full size trucks. The Slate is a compact. The Cybertruck suffers from small frunkitis because of a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with key systems that Tesla chooses to locate in the front for “ease of access”.

I wasn't criticizing the Slate. The 7.0 ft3 frunk of the Slate is perfectly respectable given the vehicle's size and price point, especially if it has a 12V power point.

I do give props to the "Mega Power Frunk" in the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is probably the most advanced frunk available on a production vehicle in the US today (and maybe the world). Capacity = 14.1 ft3, with four 120V outlets and two USB ports.

 

[cvollers]

I wasn't criticizing the Slate. The 7.0 ft3 frunk of the Slate is perfectly respectable given the vehicle's size and price point, especially if it has a 12V power point.

I do give props to the "Mega Power Frunk" in the Ford F-150 Lightning, which is probably the most advanced frunk available on a production vehicle in the US today (and maybe the world). Capacity = 14.1 ft3, with four 120V outlets and two USB ports.

I think it can be argued that despite being made by Ford, the Lightning might be the gold standard for EV pickups. It certainly is the best F150 not named after an extinct dinosaur.

 

[evtruth]

metal auto body panels require enormously expensive and just plain enormous equipment (3 stories tall) to stamp them out, so with this truck's makers fully intending to NOT do that in their own future factory, where'd they get these metal panels stamped?

It probably isn't metal. There are some plastics so dense and durable and nextgen that they can fool a human into believing they're metal.

I heard in one of the many, many videos on the Slate truck that they were going to use a polypropylene composite.

They are absolutely going to use composite panels in the *production* trucks. However, this is a *pre-production* unit that they hand built in Michigan. There are only a handful of them. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

 

[SichuanHot]

I think it can be argued that despite being made by Ford, the Lightning might be the gold standard for EV pickups. It certainly is the best F150 not named after an extinct dinosaur.

I don't know about that. I think Rivian has the edge when it comes to gold standard for EV trucks.

 

[Luxrage]

I can't hate on the look of the Slate. I kind of dig it. It's basic and utilitarian. But this comes from someone who also owns a Honda Element with acres of chunky plastic.

I've seen people hating on the looks for the Slate in the same breath they praise how great the Telo looks, so definitely different strokes.

There does seem to be some discoloration between the front fascia and the fenders, but I'll chock that up to these being prototype builds with parts from different batches.

That is a big frunk, the cutout for easy loading means we can't use it for wing parties like Ford does LOL.

 

[cvollers]

I don't know about that. I think Rivian has the edge when it comes to gold standard for EV trucks.

SUVs? No question Rivian is #1 EV. Pickups that do actual work? Doubtful.

 

[SichuanHot]

SUVs? No question Rivian is #1 EV. Pickups that do actual work? Doubtful.

Let's be realistic here. No contracting company is going to use a fleet of F150 Lightning EVs to do actual work. They'll use F250/Silverado 2500s/Ram 2500 and up with varying bed types. If you want to compare work specs, the Rivian has a leg up on the Ford in all metrics, even towing (11000lbs vs 7700lbs). At the end, both trucks are lifestyle trucks and it just so happens the Rivian is the better truck.

 

[YDR37]

That is a big frunk, the cutout for easy loading means we can't use it for wing parties like Ford does LOL.

Realistically, the Ford Mega Power Frunk may have the advantage when it comes to wings. However, it's possible that Slate could finish ahead of Ford in another key frunk performance metric.

The cavernous Lightning frunk has a drain plug at the bottom, which seems like a good idea. However -- the drain plug is permanently fixed in the "open" position; there is no provision to close it. This engineering design decision severely compromises the important "chilling beverages in the frunk" use case; the ice just melts and runs out the drain, rather than maintaining low temperatures for the Schlitz Malt Liquor or other fine frunk-located canned or bottled beverages.

It's been claimed here that the Slate frunk does have a drain plug. However, I have not seen any photos of the plug, and at this time, no one seems to have any definitive knowledge about its specifications. If the frunk drain can be closed, that feature could sway many potential customers who are cross-shopping the Slate and the Lightning.

 

[skidoofast]

Gray is my favorite color so I personally love it. I think we all should wait until we see it in person to pass judgement.

I will say, one thing I don’t like about it is the hood is just flat. I think if it had some contours it would look better

funny, the thing you don’t like is one of the things I love, I really like the look and shape of every part of this pickup

 

[skidoofast]

So, to own this truck, we'll need a 3D printer, wrapping tools, and a label maker...

probably 2 3d printers LOL

 

[OldGoat]

funny, the thing you don’t like is one of the things I love, I really like the look and shape of every part of this pickup

What I love about the Slate is the vintage, utility look with a nod to those old farm Fords, Dodges and Internationals that kept running for decades. I pretty much abused my old Honda Element which had the plastic side panels and they held up great after skis, kayaks and bikes crashed into them. Wonder if Slate body panels can have some recycled content which I look for whenever possible.

 

[E90400K]

funny, the thing you don’t like is one of the things I love, I really like the look and shape of every part of this pickup

Me too. I really like the design. But honestly, I'm not sure injected molded plastic saves cost other than the plastic doesn't need to be painted and the metal would. When the plastic is exposed as surface level (texture and color) parts the cost increases vs. a hidden part. This is somewhat true with metal parts too, but molded in color plastic for surface parts is complicated (just ask Ford...). The risk for raw part rejection is higher with MIC plastic verses stamped sheet metal when it is a surface part. IMO, with Slate the colorization and surface quality is just passed on to the buyer rather than the responsibility of the manufacturer.

 

[cadblu]

What I love about the Slate is the vintage, utility look with a nod to those old farm Fords, Dodges and Internationals that kept running for decades. I pretty much abused my old Honda Element which had the plastic side panels and they held up great after skis, kayaks and bikes crashed into them. Wonder if Slate body panels can have some recycled content which I look for whenever possible.

There’s also a hint to military trucks, especially with all exposed hardware. I’ve worked on military programs in the past, and in some views I can’t help be reminded of the light version of the HMMWV. And they are almost the same length.

Excellent point on recycled content! Corporate sustainability is a huge concern for the automotive industry. SA will score huge bragging rights if they can incorporate recycled material (eg. PET or PETE1) into their composite panels. In the not too distant future, Slate can emerge as a major contender in environmental responsibility combined with their zero tailpipe emissions.