Slate starting price isn't set yet says CEO (per Insideevs interview)

[AZFox]

It’s very difficult to compare it directly, especially when other cars are by default, feature rich in comparison. Which is also a pro, or a con, depending on the consumer.

In my five decades of owning cars I've only bought three of them new. I wasn't interested in any new vehicle when the Slate Reveal Event came along.

I also appreciate that the Truck is a compact pickup.
I also appreciate the minimal tech.
I also appreciate (now) that it's an EV.
I also appreciate that it's USA-made.
...etc.

AFAIAC there is zero new-car competition.

 

[KevinRS]

It looks like #2 in that cheapest trucks list is headed out as well, though it's sales weren't much anyway.
I really don't think Slate will or needs to cut into sales of Mavericks or other small trucks much. I haven't really been seeing people even here who were looking to get one of those other small trucks new, and put it on hold to try getting a Slate.
For me, EV is a big plus, because while gas prices have dipped, that's mostly due to OPEC increasing production and decreased demand, and prices will always go back up, and set new records and baselines.
I can't justify to myself getting a truck if it's going to be something like 22 MPG, and even with a hybrid maverick at 35 MPG I get close to that with my 11 year old Versa. With either option, I'm looking at over it's lifetime spending almost as much on fuel and maintenance as on the purchase.
With an EV, I already have a power surplus from solar going into credits with the power company that never get refunded as a check or anything, due to a CCA. If charging a truck pushes that into actually getting a bill, I'll check into adding a panel or 2.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

And that's what sets the Slate apart from the others on the Comparable Truck list - it's an electric vehicle that comes with lower cost of ownership & operation. That lower cost of ownership can factor in one's decision (or not.)

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

For me, the EV aspect of the vehicle is not that important. A basic, easy to maintain, low cost of ownership vehicle is my priority. I am so tired of vehicles that are unrepairable after a few years because the specialized parts and modules are no longer available, or are not worth the cost to fix.
I buy a vehicle for the long haul, none of mine are less than 8 years old, I bought my current truck new in 2004, it now has 240,000 miles on it and looks and drives great, and I will keep it after buying the Slate.

 

[AZFox]

And Ferarri could sell its 296 GTB for $30,000[...]

@AZFox: The ideal, revenue-maximizing price will be determined by market demand for Blank Slates, not whether or not Slate "passes savings along to the customer".

@E90400K: Slate will determine the price of the Truck using production costs, amortization of the engineering costs, CapX, and payments to investors.

@AZFox: The price needs to be low enough to move all 150,000 units because you can't realize revenue from units if someone doesn't buy them because the price is too high.

@E90400K: But muh Ferarri could sell a sPoRTsCaRrrr for $30,000 and lose their ass!

@AZFox: That brings to mind a story about three special men and a large beast. Congratulations, you found the elephant!

 

[E90400K]

@AZFox: The ideal, revenue-maximizing price will be determined by market demand for Blank Slates, not whether or not Slate "passes savings along to the customer".

@E90400K: Slate will determine the price of the Truck using production costs, amortization of the engineering costs, CapX, and payments to investors.

@AZFox: The price needs to be low enough to move all 150,000 units because you can't realize revenue from units if someone doesn't buy them because the price is too high.

@E90400K: But muh Ferarri could sell a sPoRTsCaRrrr for $30,000 and lose their ass!

@AZFox: That brings to mind a story about three special men and a large beast. Congratulations, you found the elephant!

Correct, the elephant in the room is...

Profitability.

 

[Letas]

In my five decades of owning cars I've only bought three of them new. I wasn't interested in any new vehicle when the Slate Reveal Event came along.

I also appreciate that the Truck is a compact pickup.
I also appreciate the minimal tech.
I also appreciate (now) that it's an EV.
I also appreciate that it's USA-made.
...etc.

AFAIAC there is zero new-car competition.

Yeah, and you’re one (likely) buyer out of a proposed 150k a year. If this was an ICE compact SUV, the comparisons become more direct for more of the buyers. What I cross shop the Slate with will not match what you cross shop it with.

Its uniqueness is what makes it unique, which makes pricing unique.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I'm wondering if Slate will announce the base price of the truck alone, or along with all the accessories?

And I'm also quite interested in the Slate University, expecting it to answer a lot of questions and speculation.

Will they both be introduced concurrently?

Sorry if this is the wrong thread for these topics. Don't want to get scolded!

 

[AZFox]

Correct, the elephant in the room is...

Profitability.

On that we agree 💯.

It's more profitable to do market-based pricing specifically to move 150K units than it is to do cost-based pricing and hope for the best.

 

[E90400K]

On that we agree 💯.

It's more profitable to do market-based pricing specifically to move 150K units than it is to do cost-based pricing and hope for the best.

That I disagree with.