Still Leary of getting my Slate

[E90400K]

And when people say the slate “needs” to do something it’s clearly not advertised as doing, they might not understand the point of what the product is and want something else?

Trucks have consistently been less fuel efficient than they could be to a certain point. Legitimately don’t even care about your argument either. More than one site has gathered similar info , this was just the first I could find. The consensus is still largely the same.

So, if most 'Mericans really dont use their fuel-inefficient pickup truck for "pickup truck stuff", why is Slate producing a pickup truck? Your position is pickup truck owners are mostly illegitimate because they drive non-fuel efficient vehicles for basically the opposite reason the vehicle is intended for, so why doesn't that follow the same reasoning for the Slate? Even as an EV because it is a pickup truck form factor it is less efficient than an EV sedan or minivan.

Your logic is flawed.

 

[Mackleandy]

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.

My Dad always said a two seater only contained 2 stupid ideas at anytime.

 

[Aether1]

So, if most 'Mericans really dont use their fuel-inefficient pickup truck for "pickup truck stuff", why is Slate producing a pickup truck? Your position is pickup truck owners are mostly illegitimate because they drive non-fuel efficient vehicles for basically the opposite reason the vehicle is intended for, so why doesn't that follow the same reasoning for the Slate? Even as an EV because it is a pickup truck form factor it is less efficient than an EV sedan or minivan.

Your logic is flawed.

No, what I’m saying is that most traditional pickup trucks are not practical, and also have not known for being fuel efficient. So while I get some people have need of a vehicle that can do heavy lifting, most people aren’t using them in ways that manufacturers are saying, “this is what it’s for”.

If your logic to me is by saying something along the lines of, “If a family doesn’t use an SUV to transport their family EVERY day, then clearly it’s not being used as intended” you’re missing the point. If you don’t have a consistent need to transport heavy equipment or tow things on regular basis, then it’s not reasonable or practical to have said vehicle. At that point it’s clearly for looks. Sorry you’re mad about my “flawed logic”.

The Slate is going to provide something more practical. It’s an alternative. Not a 1:1 replacement.

Example: Getting upset the Slate can’t have a 3500 lb towing capacity is silly, because it was never meant to do that to begin with.

 

[Shrink36s]

@E90400K doesn’t know how to emotionally handle not being the smartest most bestest boi in the room. Just smile an nod and move on.

It’s clear you’re a team of one, raging about opinions that have zero backing of anything even resembling relevant data to the discussion, and you’ve lost. Just read Slate’s well defined reasoning for their design and who their audience is not (you). As very succinctly outlined by Tom Sawyer a few posts back.

Tom also made it clear that this ridiculous back and forth, of which I’ve been a part, is not in overall service to the people who are here to enjoy their excitement with others in a more offering to the automobile industry. With that, this is my last comment on the topic, and last comment engaging with the troll of the forum.

 

[bloo]

My '21 Seltos has a big fat zero for towing capacity. With the paper maché CVT, its no wonder why. Even the dual-clutch 7-speed couldn't tow coz it easily overheats.

I see the Slate as a replacement for my previous ride - a 2012 Soul AT6 2.0l. Slate draws a size comparison with the Soul, so they agree. I just hope it's better in the snow.

This truck is great for first-time pickup buyers who want something small yet capable. As such, it's aimed squarely at me.

 

[Aether1]

My '21 Seltos has a big fat zero for towing capacity. With the paper maché CVT, its no wonder why. Even the dual-clutch 7-speed couldn't tow coz it easily overheats.

I see the Slate as a replacement for my previous ride - a 2012 Soul AT6 2.0l. Slate draws a size comparison with the Soul, so they agree. I just hope it's better in the snow.

This truck is great for first-time pickup buyers who want something small yet capable. As such, it's aimed squarely at me.

I know it’s still a ways off, but I’m excited by the prospect of the Slate. I want the SUV make, and wish there was a 4 door option. But I also like the retro look it has?

 

[bloo]

I know it’s still a ways off, but I’m excited by the prospect of the Slate. I want the SUV make, and wish there was a 4 door option. But I also like the retro look it has?

I specifically like the two doors. This vehicle will never need to carry more than one passanger. Most of the time it'll be just me commuting the shit out of this. I can park it anywhere and use it for all sorts of home-improvement projects. It'll carry gravel, rocks, dirt, lumber, furniture, and anything else without damaging the passanger space. Wanna' see what that does to the inside of a Seltos hatchback?

 

[dragondroptv]

I think Ford is going to have a very hard time actually delivering a $30K EV truck in the real world — even if that’s the headline price they advertise.

A big issue is the dealership model itself. Dealers make a lot of their profit from service, and EVs naturally require less maintenance. Because of that, there’s a strong incentive to push higher trims loaded with features, options, and tech packages that increase margins and create more things that eventually need repairs.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the true “available on dealer lots” version ends up far above the advertised starting price.

What makes the Slate approach interesting to me is that they’re doing basically the opposite. They’re stripping the vehicle down to the essentials and focusing on building a solid, affordable truck first instead of trying to turn it into a luxury tech product.

Honestly, it reminds me of successful food trucks. The best ones usually don’t try to make 40 different things — they focus on one thing they do extremely well. A pulled pork truck that perfects pulled pork will usually beat the truck trying to serve burgers, tacos, pizza, wings, and BBQ all at once.

Slate feels like they’re taking that same approach. One core configuration. Fewer variables. Simpler manufacturing. Better consistency. Focus on making one good truck instead of twenty versions loaded with features.

The single-SKU approach seems underrated to me. Building one core configuration at scale should help manufacturing consistency and quality a lot compared to companies juggling dozens of trims and combinations right out of the gate.

 

[Shrink36s]

I think Ford is going to have a very hard time actually delivering a $30K EV truck in the real world — even if that’s the headline price they advertise.

A big issue is the dealership model itself. Dealers make a lot of their profit from service, and EVs naturally require less maintenance. Because of that, there’s a strong incentive to push higher trims loaded with features, options, and tech packages that increase margins and create more things that eventually need repairs.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the true “available on dealer lots” version ends up far above the advertised starting price.

What makes the Slate approach interesting to me is that they’re doing basically the opposite. They’re stripping the vehicle down to the essentials and focusing on building a solid, affordable truck first instead of trying to turn it into a luxury tech product.

Honestly, it reminds me of successful food trucks. The best ones usually don’t try to make 40 different things — they focus on one thing they do extremely well. A pulled pork truck that perfects pulled pork will usually beat the truck trying to serve burgers, tacos, pizza, wings, and BBQ all at once.

Slate feels like they’re taking that same approach. One core configuration. Fewer variables. Simpler manufacturing. Better consistency. Focus on making one good truck instead of twenty versions loaded with features.

The single-SKU approach seems underrated to me. Building one core configuration at scale should help manufacturing consistency and quality a lot compared to companies juggling dozens of trims and combinations right out of the gate.

This is in no way in support of the dealership model. Not even a little.

In fact, I agree with pretty much everything you said, so this is just sharing a thought as I read your post.

I think the one area of service profit, that is if Slate when a dealership route, would be in the accessories. Putting on the warps, the SUV kits, the bumpers, the roof racks, the door cubbies, etc. I would do all of that myself, and there are a lot of people who simply would not, and would be happy to pay for. Hell, I'd probably pay for the wrap part. That amount of tedious work is not my forte.

I love that the did not go the dealer route, and instead engaged the service market through the RepairPal network.

 

[E90400K]

No, what I’m saying is that most traditional pickup trucks are not practical, and also have not known for being fuel efficient. So while I get some people have need of a vehicle that can do heavy lifting, most people aren’t using them in ways that manufacturers are saying, “this is what it’s for”.

If your logic to me is by saying something along the lines of, “If a family doesn’t use an SUV to transport their family EVERY day, then clearly it’s not being used as intended” you’re missing the point. If you don’t have a consistent need to transport heavy equipment or tow things on regular basis, then it’s not reasonable or practical to have said vehicle. At that point it’s clearly for looks. Sorry you’re mad about my “flawed logic”.

The Slate is going to provide something more practical. It’s an alternative. Not a 1:1 replacement.

Example: Getting upset the Slate can’t have a 3500 lb towing capacity is silly, because it was never meant to do that to begin with.

Exactly, you say most "traditional" pickup trucks are not practical. What is it about the Slate pickup truck design (i.e. cab and bed) that make it non-traditional and make it more practical than a pickup truck from Ford, GM, RAM, Toyota, Nissan, or Honda?

 

[dragondroptv]

Exactly, you say most "traditional" pickup trucks are not practical. What is it about the Slate pickup truck design (i.e. cab and bed) that make it non-traditional and make it more practical than a pickup truck from Ford, GM, RAM, Toyota, Nissan, or Honda?

To me, the Slate isn’t “non-traditional” because of the cab or bed dimensions — it’s non-traditional because of the philosophy behind it.

Most modern trucks are sold as fully finished products on day one. You pick a trim level, pay for every feature upfront, and that’s basically the truck you’ll own forever.

The Slate feels different because it’s designed to grow over time.

You can start with a simple, affordable truck and then add accessories, storage systems, body conversions, racks, wraps, tech, or utility upgrades later as your needs change. It’s more modular and adaptable than the traditional “buy it all now” approach.

That’s what makes it practical to me. Not that it magically hauls more than a Ford or Toyota, but that it can evolve with the owner instead of forcing you into one expensive configuration from the start.

 

[Aether1]

I specifically like the two doors. This vehicle will never need to carry more than one passanger. Most of the time it'll be just me commuting the shit out of this. I can park it anywhere and use it for all sorts of home-improvement projects. It'll carry gravel, rocks, dirt, lumber, furniture, and anything else without damaging the passanger space. Wanna' see what that does to the inside of a Seltos hatchback?

Incan see the appeal. For me, I like having the option of carrying a few passengers, and I always offer to drive when needing to car pool for events around town or on trips because I enjoy driving.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

@E90400K doesn’t know how to emotionally handle not being the smartest most bestest boi in the room. Just smile an nod and move on.

It’s clear you’re a team of one, raging about opinions that have zero backing of anything even resembling relevant data to the discussion, and you’ve lost. Just read Slate’s well defined reasoning for their design and who their audience is not (you). As very succinctly outlined by Tom Sawyer a few posts back.

Tom also made it clear that this ridiculous back and forth, of which I’ve been a part, is not in overall service to the people who are here to enjoy their excitement with others in a more offering to the automobile industry. With that, this is my last comment on the topic, and last comment engaging with the troll of the forum.

There's a misunderstanding here. My intent is not to contribute or lend support but to get away from the bickering. Sorry if came across otherwise.

 

[jonboy108]

In 2001 I bought a Mazda Tribute. I got the four cylinder five speed 4 wheel drive model. It was basically, as we all know, a rebadged Ford Escape of the same year and specification. It would intermittently and randomly shut down and not start. I was even stranded in sub zero weather once. at 20k miles, the tie rod ends wore out. replaced with OEM and ditto at 40 k. Replaced with NAPA ball joints. The brakes failed twice when the brake booster sucked all the fluid out of the master cylinder. Later on, the gear shift would occasionally over center and get stuck in third gear. It is a fallacy to think that the legacy auto makers will have the lock on how to build a car. Bought a 2020 Tesla Model Y and have had a few minor glitches, but it is getting close to 100k relatively trouble free miles. So I don’t trust Ford to get a great truck out of the chute. YMMV!!!

The form of a four door truck repels me- the Maverick, for example is something like 18 inches to a foot longer than my model Y. I don’t want to sing “Give me forty acres to turn this rig around”. Even though I’v over 6 feet tall, I’ve found little cars to fit me, not the least of which was my Honda Fit. So Slate is the winner- package size, eager young company, committed young work force with experience in other new companies. I don’t need to haul heavy construction material, I may tow a small sailboat, make runs to the hardware store or Lowe’s… I love the thrill of the Tesla acceleration, but it isn’t my jam on a daily basis, I think the Slate will sate what little need I have for speed. After all its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow…..

thanks, I’ll see myself out.

 

[Shrink36s]

There's a misunderstanding here. My intent is not to contribute or lend support but to get away from the bickering. Sorry if came across otherwise.

Very much understood. You were right, and I am no longer engaging.