The car I had dreamed of before the slate.

[P99Guy]

The smart car is an interesting car except that it had terrible fuel economy and wasnt safe

10 years ago I imagined a small electric car with 2 seats that had a frame/rollcage that completely surrounded the cockpit. The wheels would mount on the outside so if the car was hit from any direction, the wheels would take the first impact, the roll cage would 100% protect the passengers even if they rolled. The purpose would solely be for commuting and driving/parking in urban areas. I also imagined the panels would be changeable and removeable and that the car would be completely stripped down with no features (like a kit car). You would customize it however you wanted, including changing out side panels. It would use as many off the self parts as possible to use existing supply chains. Everything would be easily accessible for repair.

The slate came out and it was literally everything plus it was a truck, but a little bigger than what I imagined the car would be.

Who knows if the market can support it, but now they got the new funding they will definitely produce some production cars.

Terrible fuel economy? My 2009 Smart still gets 40-42mpg. I feel more safe in my smart car than my Tesla and that is saying a lot. The Tridon safety cell in the Smart is incredible. I got smashed between two larger cars at about 40mph In 2011. Scratched my shin, nothing else. Safety cell was not damaged, new front and rear basically snapped on. Still drive it.

 

[Luxrage]

Despite their numerous issues and shortcomings, I still want to import a Smart Roadster once they're old enough.

I've been on the fence about a RHD car but if I do ever get the space / barn for a import I've been toying with the idea of a Japanese Daihatsu Move Conte Custom. Still a little ways off from being importable.

These came with hubcaps and emblems of Daihatsu's then mascot, Kakukaku Shikajika.

 

[P99Guy]

I've been on the fence about a RHD car but if I do ever get the space / barn for a import I've been toying with the idea of a Japanese Daihatsu Move Conte Custom. Still a little ways off from being importable.

These came with hubcaps and emblems of Daihatsu's then mascot, Kakukaku Shikajika.

Is the the Nissan Cube relative?

 

[E90400K]

I've always seen the Smart Car as a soccer ball for 18-wheelers.

 

[Luxrage]

Is the the Nissan Cube relative?

Kind of, but I rarely see a Cube on the road these days. I remember their wild headliners:

 

[P99Guy]

Kind of, but I rarely see a Cube on the road these days. I remember their wild headliners:

You are not that far from me. I see them all the time around Denton. I could just be seeing the same one over and over. I will pay more attention.

 

[P99Guy]

I've always seen the Smart Car as a soccer ball for 18-wheelers.

That’s pretty much every car though isn’t it? thats what makes it safer as it bounces easier than a bigger vehicle.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Ford Ranger EV, according to friends who worked there it was being planned, but died. Then the Cybertruck, but It was too big for my needs, not as promised (price and features), and the deal killer; Elon and politics. Telo...yes, yes, maybe, no. (Too California) Slate hits all the right notes for me.

 

[E90400K]

That’s pretty much every car though isn’t it? thats what makes it safer as it bounces easier than a bigger vehicle.

No. The Smart Fortwo looks like a soccer ball.

 

[tgpii]

TELO MT1

Overpriced.

 

[P99Guy]

No. The Smart Fortwo looks like a soccer ball.

Not what I meant I meant about soccer ball, but sure it is small and kinda of round.

 

[E90400K]

Not what I meant I meant about soccer ball, but sure it is small and kinda of round.

Yes, and when compared to the size of an 18-wheeler, it looks like the automotive equivalent of a soccer ball. Which is what I meant in my initial comment, "I've always seen the Smart Car as a soccer ball for 18-wheelers".

 

[atx_ev]

Telo has about 30 million in funding compared to slates 1.3 billion..

 

[CorvusCorvax]

My dream car was always an aircooled Porsche 911. I suppose it could be a commuter for me - I know plenty of guys who DD their classic Porsche. I have one of those now, and love it for what it is. But I've always wanted a simple, cheap commuter vehicle. Once upon a time, I owned a 6-speed Mercedes C240 (not kidding - you could actually get them in the U.S. with a manual transmission!) It was cheap to run and drive, but it was really only for commuting, not much else. I was excited when the Elio was in the dream stage - they promised that there would be a turbo version, and that it would be really quick. But I was wary, because they just didn't have funding, and even though they said they were going to purchase a factory location in Shreveport, they never actually did.

Then along comes Slate. No infotainment. Just knobs and switches. No added packages and trim levels. (OK, now I'm intrigued.) No dealer network to have to pay extra for. (Now you have my attention.) Mid-twenties pricing (Imma turn off the TV so you can tell me everything.) Truck (my damned F150 eats gas like it's still $2.50/gallon - and it's HUGE, pain to park anywhere, crappy ride quality - it's a truck, fergawdsake.) Oh, and it's an EV. Hey, I have a 240V outlet right at the front of my garage...

SOLD. Put in my $50, and just waiting for an invitation to put my down payment in.

 

[TPL]

Terrible fuel economy? My 2009 Smart still gets 40-42mpg.

Only terrible compared to expectations, I think. IIRC the EPA rating was 37 MPG at a time when the Prius was 50 MPG, which was disappointing for me.