SLATE UNIVERSITY will teach owners how to DIY

[E.T.]

Article describing the "Slate University" initiative that Slate will launch and maintain for owners.

https://www.newsweek.com/slate-will-teach-ev-owners-how-make-their-truck-suv-youtube-2063891

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Electric vehicle manufacturer Slate debuted its new truck tonight in Long Beach, California, pulling the silk off the model and revealing more about how the automaker will enable customers to personalize their vehicle.​

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Slate University is a multi-platform initiative by the company to teach, inform and inspire those who are thinking of purchasing or have bought one of their vehicles. Additionally, it will allow service providers to get continued and updated training in the field and have a mobile point of reference while on the go.​

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Traditional dealer sales models often rely on hours of in-person training at technical centers. Slate service providers will not be using the videos as their main point of training and there will be a certification process for them.​

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"So we plan to be very DIY-focused," Slate CEO Chris Barman told Newsweek. "We want to have our own channel [so that we can] keep that relationship with the consumer and that we can coach them directly on things they may want to do to update or modify their vehicle. But, if they don't feel comfortable, they can also take it to a partner."​

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Slate University will allow watchers to be better educated when the time of their service appointment arrives. "They can feel informed before they take it to the partner on what to expect around the service that they should receive," Barman said.​

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Slate will host the videos on its website, YouTube and mobile app.​

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Slate University will serve as a guidepost for those who want to try their hand at making do-it-yourself (DIY) improvements to their new vehicle. Barman is passionate about removing friction in the DIY process. Some of the key moments in Slate's journey toward the marketplace "revolve around the DIY and what we can do to make things easier for the consumer," she said.​

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Barman gave an example: "We have composite exterior panels. They are not painted, and we are molded in color. We wanted a wrap that brings the color to the vehicle to be DIY-able. For an individual who may not be familiar with putting a wrap on a vehicle, how do we help or assist them? And one way that we know we can do that is making the pieces of wrap that go on the vehicle just a little bit smaller and a little bit easy to manage."​

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Slate designed character lines in its vehicle that serve as break points, to make modifications easier. "If you look at the side of the truck, the hood design that we have, we call it a clamshell because it wraps around and down to the fenders to the side of the vehicle. We carry that character line through the door and through the rear quarter panel. And the reason we do is, yes, it's a nice aesthetic, but its purpose also is so that we were able to break up the size of the wrap. And that's a good area where you can have a scene in the wrap," the CEO said.​

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Slate customers can purchase a kit to turn their truck into an SUV in their driveway, should they choose. They could also install a unique front-end accessory created in partnership with a brand they love. There are thousands of DIY options.​

 

[Adam W]

They've already mentioned that some of the customizable pieces will have open-sourced designs that could be 3D printed. I can absolutely see Etsy shops and the like popping up that will make CNC dash panels in black walnut or diamond plate grill and light sets. This kind of mod community support could be a lot of fun.

 

[cvollers]

I love the DIY aspect of this vehicle. As a wrencher (and custom overlanding furniture builder) that often visits a local DIY garage (with lifts), this approach appeals to me. Teaching people how to mod their own vehicles is brilliant as it fits the overall mission of the company to save people money.

 

[cadblu]

I love the DIY aspect of this vehicle. As a wrencher (and custom overlanding furniture builder) that often visits a local DIY garage (with lifts), this approach appeals to me. Teaching people how to mod their own vehicles is brilliant as it fits the overall mission of the company to save people money.

For those of us old enough to remember, customizing audio was a big deal back in the day. Manufacturers were offering only basic AM/ FM radios and maybe a cassette deck. One of the first tasks I would do after getting my new car home was to rip out the OEM head unit / speakers and upgrade with a Kenwood receiver, sub amp, and 6x9 Jensen speakers in the rear deck. (example only). But over time, automakers improved their base audio systems so the desire to upgrade grew much lower. Given the complexity of today's vehicles with closed dash panels I have lost interest in modifying pretty much anything. because it might screw up the on-board computer and more importantly, void the vehicle warranty.

The major appeal of the Slate...it is indeed user friendly for mods. You don't need to rip out the "factory" radio unit because it isn't there. With the modular design, in theory, it should be easy to remove interior (and exterior) panels to run wiring for electronics, auxiliary lighting, etc. A nice audio system and dashcam(s) are a must; radar detector (not so much given the 0-60 time.) But again, we must remain vigilant that all these accessories will put a drain on the battery along with a loss of range.

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Once the Slate-approved accessories hit the market, owners with a garage, floor jack, and decent set of tools should be able to handle tire / wheel swaps, bumper / fender flare upgrades, SUV / roll cage conversions, etc. as a DIY project. For those without the above, assuming that audio is not plug and play, I could envision a local "Best Buy" national chain doing audio upgrades in partnership with Slate. I look forward to seeing how the next chapter will be written.

 

[E90400K]

Is there anyone here who has actually wrapped a vehicle?

This statement by designer Johnson, “I learned how to wrap a car in the process of designing the vehicle; in fact, our whole team did,” is bothersome to me. I understand the concept; to make the body easy to wrap and the wrap kit will be custom to the body contours, but I see this as trying to hang wallpaper or even just paint a room. There is a learning curve; such handiwork takes practice. I am quite good at such things and can achieve great results and I have a home auto shop. But I've never actually tried wrapping a vehicle. $500 is a lot to risk to screw up a wrap.

 

[lgerger]

Is there anyone here who has actually wrapped a vehicle?

This statement by designer Johnson, “I learned how to wrap a car in the process of designing the vehicle; in fact, our whole team did,” is bothersome to me. I understand the concept; to make the body easy to wrap and the wrap kit will be custom to the body contours, but I see this as trying to hang wallpaper or even just paint a room. There is a learning curve; such handiwork takes practice. I am quite good at such things and can achieve great results and I have a home auto shop. But I've never actually tried wrapping a vehicle. $500 is a lot to risk to screw up a wrap.

I don’t see this as concerning. Not everyone always has expertise in every area. I kind of respect they’re on this journey with us.

 

[E90400K]

I don’t see this as concerning. Not everyone always has expertise in every area. I kind of respect they’re on this journey with us.

We're on a journey with them. They're driving the bus. Hell, they are MAKING the bus.

 

[E90400K]

Just not painting it...

 

[E90400K]

Hopefully Slate will sell a rattle-can paint kit too.

 

[lgerger]

We're on a journey with them. They're driving the bus. Hell, they are MAKING the bus.

True - but no riders, no bus. It's a joint effort.