Speculation: who should buy Slate Inc?

[AeroWolf]

I could not remember who all owns whom and just listed known work tool brands.

Maybe Stihl US, Husqvarna, or Stanley-B&D could be enticed.

 

[EJensen]

I think a major outdoor power tools maker would actually be best company, to keep the Slate in its general form and technology approach. Imagine a parent of company of a popular electric tool brand like Ego, Ryobi, or Worx taking the Slate brand over. To sell it like it is power tool, more than a typical vehicle

Interesting.

A vehicle is an order of magnitude more complicated with higher liability, regulation, etc. compared to a power tool, but the Slate is way less complicated than just about any other vehicle. If my assumptions about fleet sales prove out, Slate will have an in with lots of folks in the trades.

Imagine a Milwaukee-branded truck with integrated Packout connections in the bed and onboard M12 and M18 battery chargers.

EDIT: Or just for funsies, Imagine a Snap-On branded truck with the same level of features but triple the price.

 

[beatle]

Amazon's burgeoning logistics arm could leverage small delivery trucks based on the Slate. They have a relationship with Rivian, but with more same-day delivery options, it doesn't make sense to drive around a full delivery vehicle for 8-10 hours if you're going to promise delivery times in hours. When I delivered pizza, I'd take 2-3 deliveries. More than that was incredibly rare. It's also a lot easier to maneuver a Slate in tight city areas. This is one reason why kei trucks are so popular Asia. Amazon seems to always be reaching for more vertical integration, though no other delivery/logistics service makes their own vehicles, even if they're bespoke. Well, nobody does anymore at least. DHL tried it with the StreetScooter but they eventually sold it since building cars is hard.

 

[EJensen]

Better yet: Harbor Freight.

They have an extensive reach with their brick-and-mortar stores. They are a hit with value-focused tradespeople. Their well into their transition from cheap Chinese import and essentially disposable tools to a good/better/best market coverage. Their ICON brand is giving the tool trucks a run for their money in terms of quality at a much lower price point.

I see a lot of crossover in terms of the DIY and trades markets. Same bang-for-the-buck value proposition.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Are there companies who make vehicles that are focused on fleet sales instead of consumer? Right from the beginning, I have assumed that fleet sales would make up a significant part of Slate sales. If you have a small business with a couple of vehicles that your techs and sales folks drive to get to customer/construction sites, the Slate seems to check a lot of boxes.

Are there existing companies that focus on that market?

Yes, especially those that do customizations of body on frame vehicles. There's a while industry to covert a Ford/GM XYZ platforms into very specialized work vehicles for tradesmen.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I think the next trend in fleet is going to be autonomous, at least for delivery of smaller stuff. Why pay a human when a self driving vehicle can do the job. A humanoid or other form factor robot can easily carry the package to the door - and it's not worried about a dog bite.

Delivery of small packages will soon be a dead end for humans. Ditto over the road freight. By "soon" I mean in the next decade, not next year.

 

[AeroWolf]

Harbor Freight is an American Company, even if they are more of an importing retailer than a manufacturer.

Currently imagining a red and white Slate truck pulling their little red Haul Master trailer with white rails and Black and Red Predator solar panels set up on the roof rack to form a canopy with awning charging the Truck.

 

[EJensen]

Currently imagining a red and white Slate truck pulling their little red Haul Master trailer with white rails and Black and Red Predator solar panels set up on the roof rack to form a canopy with awning charging the Truck.

This. And now I can't get the image out of my head.

Also, onboard chargers for Bauer and Hercules batteries.

 

[tubes]

Harbor Freight is an American Company, even if they are more of an importing retailer than a manufacturer.

Currently imagining a red and white Slate truck pulling their little red Haul Master trailer with white rails and Black and Red Predator solar panels set up on the roof rack to form a canopy with awning charging the Truck.

I proudly rock my big red HF bucket for carrying tools. Made in the USA baby!

Now will that bucket fit in the frunk? So many questions.

 

[EJensen]

 

[AeroWolf]

Bring me that 25% off Super Coupon for the Slate Truck.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

personally id rather see slate go under then be bought by any other auto manufacture in this current market of well frankly shit maybe just maybe toyota but that's where i draw the line

 

[Paul]

The hypothetical scenario: It's 2029 and EVs are taking over the auto market even in the US. A new administration ends tariffs and foreign models are about to start flooding in, and domestic manufacturers are all caught flat-footed. ICE sales plummet and EVs are all selling out; dealer markups are through the roof.

Then there's Slate. After some initial hiccups they're now maxing out production at 100k/year, still sticking to their $25k price point for the base model (thanks to advances in cheaper batteries), and they're still privately held by investors who want their big payday. Time to sell! But to who?

Who would you be fine seeing acquire Slate, and whose purchase offer would you run screaming from?

Maybe going public is the best?

Since to date, the only business model for legacy is to create the largest profit margin and limit choice Slate's success could be motivation to buy and kill. More they sell, the higher the motivation to buy and kill so we can have less choice and be forced to pay $60k for a pickup. I would hope they would sell enough to be successful and not seek a payday too quickly. The solution to compete with Chinese EVs is to block them. If slate starts cutting into sales, the goal will be to buy and kill. I'm hoping someone/group has a commitment to Slates vision and continue to be a thorn to corporate consolidation and profit squeeze.

 

[2thlesswithta2s]

In a surprise move, Datsun will purchase Slate, energizing the revival of this once-great auto giant.

Do you realize Datsun was the wholey-owned budget brand of Nissan Motors?

 

[BlackFlagBop]

Do you realize Datsun was the wholey-owned budget brand of Nissan Motors?

I think that may have been the intended joke after someone else in the thread said something along the lines of "anyone but Nissan"

I could also be overly generous.