Slate Target Market Flowchart

[Letas]

I've spent a lot of time here trying to understand what the target market is for the Slate, and I think I've gathered it all into a flowchart for who the Slate is meant for.

Let me know your thoughts below, and/or what I missed

 

[zipn]

Actually even if you're not a contractor .. just need a commuter vehicle with 2 passenger limitation. The SUV kits add the extra seating but if they really are $5K more then the next gen Bolts and the new Hyundai/Kias that are due out in 26 are probably a better bet (depending upon if they qualify for the same tax credit as the Slate). I'll keep my Slate reservation, but when they start shipping I'll be looking at all the lower cost EV options. Ideally Slate will offer the SUV tops without the roll bar and seats to stay competitive.

 

[E90400K]

I think you missed socioeconomic factors and available charging infrastructure access.

 

[Letas]

I think you missed socioeconomic factors and available charging infrastructure access.

Ah yes, I forgot the ever elusive "this is a low-priced car not designed for lower-earning consumers"

 

[cvollers]

Actually even if you're not a contractor .. just need a commuter vehicle with 2 passenger limitation. The SUV kits add the extra seating but if they really are $5K more then the next gen Bolts and the new Hyundai/Kias that are due out in 26 are probably a better bet (depending upon if they qualify for the same tax credit as the Slate). I'll keep my Slate reservation, but when they start shipping I'll be looking at all the lower cost EV options. Ideally Slate will offer the SUV tops without the roll bar and seats to stay competitive.

Slate’s website is showing a “Cargo” topper option without rear seats. This one has my name on it.

 

[E90400K]

Ah yes, I forgot the ever elusive "this is a low-priced car not designed for lower-earning consumers"

I think it factors in.

 

[AZFox]

Ideally Slate will offer the SUV tops without the roll bar and seats to stay competitive.

This is something I was wondering about.

The Cargo Kit, with no windows, turns the truck into a little electric panel van. I'd prefer to have windows back there.

 

[Sven101]

I'm not sure how common my demographic is, but I don't fit your flowchart.

I live outside of the city on a couple acres in a densely forested area. I need something to drive back and forth to work 30 miles each way, and a truck bed. The truck bet gets used for gravel for the driveway, firewood, fence posts, my huge dog in his crate, etc. I use the bed in a way that would be difficult in an SUV probably once a week.

We rarely get snow, but do get quite a bit of ice. I stick winter tires on in the winter and thanks to my old hobby (rallycross), I feel comfortable with (maybe even slight prefer) rear wheel drive to all wheel drive.

My current car is a 2021 Frontier, rwd with the king cab.

What I'm giving up to the frontier is the area behind the driver's seat (made up for by the frunk), 1 foot of bed length (but the slate's will be much lower to the ground and more comfortable to load), and tow capacity (which I don't use often, if I need to tow something once in a blue moon I'll just rent a truck with the trailer).

What I'm gaining in the Slate is saving myself 450 bucks in gas a month in exchange for something like 50 bucks in electricity, and a smaller, simpler car which takes very little maintenance. I'm a bit of a minimalist, and the only buttons in my car I ever touch are the radio volume and the climate controls.

It's the perfect everyday vehicle for me.

I think it'd work for most commuting truck owners, but most of those aren't honest about what they actually need in a truck. A lot of folks I work with are in the "not a real truck" crowd, while they burn gas and take up space in their f250 king ranch without a scratch on it that gets two bags of compost a year in the truck, if that.

The range may be a tad annoying, but I don't drive long distance more than once every few months. Having to stop for a cup of coffee every two hours isn't a deal breaker.