Still Leary of getting my Slate

[dark star]

After reading more about Ford’s planned ~$30K midsize EV pickup, (due in 2027) I’m having more doubts about buying a first-gen Slate.
I like Slate’s mission, but if Ford delivers a four-door truck with more features at a similar price, it feels like the better fit for my needs. I’m not a big Ford guy, but I trust their experience more when it comes to a first-generation vehicle.
At this point, it seems like a Slate could end up near $30K (for my needs) with fewer features, given how quickly the EV market is evolving.

 

[atx_ev]

I 100% would look at the ford if slate doesnt pan out

but for 5K less (and the ford will have all kinds of markups) I get:

Smaller truck (ford is 210 inches, slate is 187)
no shitty infotainment system
Not "software controlled car" They literally want software everywhere in the car
physical controls
maintainable by me
No paint - I love the idea of no paint.

the ford might be 2 years out, slate should be available next year.

Im not averse to a 4 door truck, but my tundra at 230 inches is too big. The ford EV is also still too big, but better than the tundra.

I love parking my daughters bolt EUV.

 

[beatle]

I’m not a big Ford guy, but I trust their experience more when it comes to a first-generation vehicle.

I think the first part of this sentence explains the second part.

 

[E90400K]

I think the first part of this sentence explains the second part.

Hard to say based on my experience. I've owned 8 Fords from model year 1972 to 2022 with a gap from 2000 to 2021. All have been decent cars with little to no problems. Yeah, I understand recent news says Ford has had lots of recalls in the past 3 to 5 model years. For my '22 Bronco most of the recalls are BS. The Bronco is a nice machine. It's fast, well-engineered IMO, and the build quality is decent.

But how much of Ford's 125 years of experience transfers into the Skunkworks vehicle? Considering the Skunkworks is an all-new (EV) design and a mostly new manufacturing process (per Farley) is Ford's experience, good or bad, going to influence the new Skunkworks EV vehicle line. One could argue it is no different than Slate, since Ford has basically indicated the Skunkworks is nearly a fresh-sheet effort, which I'm not seeing much different than Slate's attempt.

An interesting question.

 

[bobobobo]

After reading more about Ford’s planned ~$30K midsize EV pickup, (due in 2027) I’m having more doubts about buying a first-gen Slate.
I like Slate’s mission, but if Ford delivers a four-door truck with more features at a similar price, it feels like the better fit for my needs. I’m not a big Ford guy, but I trust their experience more when it comes to a first-generation vehicle.

I've had the Mach E since 9/2021 and except for new tires this winter and replacing the 12V battery (needed to use the free Ford Pass points), the car has been my favorite vehicle. Fun to drive and almost no maintenance. Like you said, I trust their experience, and have not been disappointed. I expected many more issues with a new generation / early build vehicle.

Looking at Slate vs. the new pickup, I had a similar, but fleeting, thought after reading the WSJ article today about Ford. In my case, I'm not replacing the Mach E, I'm not a 'truck guy' (truck guy = needs 4 doors, hauling ability, etc.) so the real appeal is the small size, basic build and customization. I've always loved the look of the trucks from the 1950's and although not the same thing, it gives me a car that I can play with, change and update over time. I bet the Ford Pick Up will be a very good vehicle, just different than what I'm looking for.

Fingers crossed Slate's Gen 1 vehicle is as trouble free!

 

[GaRailroader]

After reading more about Ford’s planned ~$30K midsize EV pickup, (due in 2027) I’m having more doubts about buying a first-gen Slate.
I like Slate’s mission, but if Ford delivers a four-door truck with more features at a similar price, it feels like the better fit for my needs. I’m not a big Ford guy, but I trust their experience more when it comes to a first-generation vehicle.
At this point, it seems like a Slate could end up near $30K (for my needs) with fewer features, given how quickly the EV market is evolving.

This almost seems like a form factor question. If both a single cab compact EV pick-up and a 4 door compact EV pick-up existed today, which form factor would you prefer? If you'd prefer the 4 door form factor then I think it would be prudent to wait on the Ford. For me, the Slate is a 2nd(possibly 3rd) car and so it doesn't need to have as much passenger flexibility as our 1st car. I do think that people that are looking for a vehicle to be an only car solution that the 4 door form factor is going to be more popular.

 

[sodamo]

Quite happy with my Tundra. State is appealing as a small, 2 dr, EV truck. If it doesn’t pan out won’t look at anything unless a true Slate comparable shows up, which I doubt.

 

[Granite]

I like idea of a 2 seat truck for my son. He won’t be filling it up with friends that I would be somewhat responsible for.

 

[MotoGary]

I’m not a big Ford guy, but I trust their experience more when it comes to a first-generation vehicle.

I get trusting Ford's experience, but first generation issues happen at Ford too--I was an F150 Lightning owner and endured multiple first-gen issues! Here's another perspective: Who has more at stake to make sure their first-gen vehicle is a success? How many vehicles does Slate have to support vs Ford? Which truck will be simpler? Which vehicle will require the most tech support and ongoing updates/bug fixes/maintenance?

My money is on the Slate truck having fewer first generation issues than the Ford midsize EV. And when they do have issues, Slate will be all over it and fix it as fast as possible. Based on past experience with Ford, EV fixes can literally take months! To make matters worse with Ford, their service techs are mostly trained for ICE vehicles. Most have no clue on the EVs.

For Ford, the new midsize seems like just another side hustle. For Slate, this truck MUST succeed! They have no choice.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

At this point, I'm more inclined to buy the Ford than the Slate. But I'm cheering for Slate and for all the fans of the Slate. I truly hope it's a brilliant success.

I have to agree with MotoGary that Ford almost seems destined to have teething problems. And I'm a Ford fan with a problem-free-for-38,000-miles Maverick in the driveway. Ford is eating the whole pizza in one gulp. 48V, megacastings, new build process, a whole new software stack - from a legacy company with a notoriously dysfunctional organizational culture. But as an engineer, I happen to love all that new stuff.

I also think there's an invented-from-thin-air narrative on this group that Slate is simple and reliable. I don't buy narratives without real world data. First, decontented does not necessarily mean simple - it just means decontented. Second, reliability isn't something you can prove without years of real-world experience.

Happily, Slate <> Ford BEV - I would argue they live in very different worlds. For the most part, the customer group just doesn't seem to overlap much, just because one is 174" and two doors, and one is likely to be 200" or more and four doors. One is painted, sold through dealerships by a company with a century in the business (for better or worse, you decide). The other is sold online by a tiny undercapitalized newbie and serviced (or so we hope and if they don't go bankrupt) at your local (one would hope) independent shop. Some will cross shop, but I don't think most will cross shop. It just seems like very different crowds will like one versus the other.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Happily, Slate <> Ford BEV - I would argue they live in very different worlds.

Although I wonder if Slate inspired Ford to try a new approach...

Nice post - well put.

 

[KevinRS]

Pretty sure Ford has had this in the works for a while, the one impact Slate may have had is on the timing of their announcements.

 

[Aether1]

Honestly, it’s a valid concern to have.

I want to move to an EV in general, and while I’d like to get a Slate, I’m also curious about this midsize EV ford will be bringing out. I thought they said it was going to be an SUV? I haven’t looked closely. A four door option would definitely tilt me away from Slate, but either way it’s a waiting game. 30k before taxes and probably different trim levels as the base though would still be a hard sell.

And the growing popularity of Chinese EV’s will probably put pressure on the government to reconsider. Frankly, I think the big three automakers have all shot themselves in the foot by pricing the general public out of being able to afford new cars. They all need to go. The free market isn’t truly free, just free for them.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I want to move to an EV in general, and while I’d like to get a Slate, I’m also curious about this midsize EV ford will be bringing out. I thought they said it was going to be an SUV? I haven’t looked closely. A four door option would definitely tilt me away from Slate, but either way it’s a waiting game. 30k before taxes and probably different trim levels as the base though would still be a hard sell.

The way I see it, there will be more affordable options than just a few years ago and that's a good thing for those trying to decide to even try a EV.

I also had wanted to get an electric vehicle for many years. I wish there were more affordable choices at the time as I surely would have chosen a Slate over a Tesla. These days, the market has more to offer and things are changing & evolving in a positive direction thanks to Chris Barman, Re:Build Manufacturing and Slate. History shows us how many have tried & failed.

And if you try a Slate and find it's not for you, the cost of the experiment won't hurt as much as a Tesla.

 

[E90400K]

Just to be a broken record... my only real two issues with the Slate platform is the low tow rating and the 5-foot bed length. IMO, the bed should be 6-foot and the tow rating @3,500 pounds. This makes Slate more competitive with the extended cab Tacoma and extended cab Frontier.