The Slate is a Coupe Utility Vehicle (CUV)

[AZFox]

It seems like a lot of people are expecting the Slate to be more truck-like than it will actually be.

The Slate is car with a pickup bed. There's a name those: "Coupe Utility Vehicle" or CUV.

A coupé utility is a vehicle with a passenger compartment at the front and an integrated cargo at the rear, with the front of the cargo bed doubling as the rear of the passenger compartment. -- source​

Other CUV examples would be a Chevy El Camino, a Ford Ranchero, a Subaru Brat, and a Volkswagen Pickup.

They're all cars with beds, not trucks, and they all provide abundant stuff-hauling capability.

I won't go as far as to say a Slate pickup is a TINO (Truck In Name Only). I'm just noticing that the Slate Truck is a Slate Compact Car With a Bed.

It's a pickup, but not quite a pickup ''truck'', at least for some intents and purposes -- for example, towing. The Slate's has the towing capacity of a subcompact car.

This is an observation, not criticism.

 

[AZFox]

In Australia and New Zealand they call CUVs utes (yoots).

 

[Johnny5]

I'd totally be down for the VW Rabbit truck experience! Those were awesome!

 

[yaheyder]

I had a VW pickup, fun little work truck.

 

[null98115]

Bed = truck.

 

[GoinPostall]

I'm curious to see how this will play out for registration. Here in CA, any truck is given commercial plates. My 1979 Dodge W150 isn't used for any commercial work, but still has commercial plates. Same with anything like an old Mitsubishi Mighty Max, or a Maverick. I'm interested in seeing how things will work for those that go from truck to SUV.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

In Australia and New Zealand they call CUVs utes (yoots).

When I was visiting AU I LOVED seeing all the Holden yutes all over the place. Such sensible vehicles IMO. I'm sure the US EPA rules that keep small trucks from getting made also keeps these from being a reality over here....

 

[Dorbiman]

When I was visiting AU I LOVED seeing all the Holden yutes all over the place. Such sensible vehicles IMO. I'm sure the US EPA rules that keep small trucks from getting made also keeps these from being a reality over here....

The Holden utes are bad ass as hell too. I’ve toyed with the idea of importing one

 

[AZFox]

Bed = truck.

True if the bed is separate.

 

[Dorbiman]

True if the bed is separate.

Silverado EV is a "real truck" and has the bed integrated into the body. Everything is arbitrary

 

[AZFox]

Q: What's the difference between a CUV and an ordinary pickup truck?

A: A Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) is typically built on a car chassis, offering a more comfortable ride and better fuel efficiency, while an ordinary pickup truck is built on a truck chassis, designed for heavy-duty tasks and towing capabilities.

 

[AZFox]

Silverado EV is a "real truck" and has the bed integrated into the body. Everything is arbitrary

I would say it's nuanced, not arbitrary.

 

[Dorbiman]

If the stance is "truck = separate bed", that means discounting "real trucks". Not much nuance there; it's an arbitrary definition. This is all before we even get into work trucks, or heavy duty trucks, that don't have beds at all.

 

[AZFox]

If the stance is "truck = separate bed", that means discounting "real trucks". Not much nuance there; it's an arbitrary definition. This is all before we even get into work trucks, or heavy duty trucks, that don't have beds at all.

Separate bed means truck, but that's not a requirement.

If it's built using a truck chassis and has a bed it's a truck.

A truck without a separate bed 👆

 

[AZFox]

The reason I started the thread is because I see people expecting a Slate to do some "truck things" it won't be suitable for.

The Slate is a CUV, not an ordinary pickup truck. That doesn't mean it's "not a truck"; it means the platform has some car-like qualities (beneficial ones) that inherently trade away some truck-like capabilities.

👇 Here's a more detailed AI query and response than the previous one.

Q: What's the difference between a CUV and an ordinary pickup truck?

A: A CUV (crossover utility vehicle) and an ordinary pickup truck differ primarily in their design, construction, and intended use. A CUV is typically built on a car-based platform with a unibody structure, which integrates the body and frame into a single unit. This design generally offers better fuel efficiency, a smoother ride, and easier handling, making it more suitable for everyday driving.

In contrast, an ordinary pickup truck is built on a truck-based chassis, featuring a body-on-frame construction that provides greater durability, towing capacity, and off-road capability. Pickup trucks are often designed for heavy-duty tasks such as hauling and towing, with powerful engines and robust frames that can handle rough terrain.

While CUVs may offer some off-road capabilities, especially when equipped with all-wheel drive, they are generally less suited for extreme off-roading compared to pickup trucks. Additionally, pickup trucks tend to have a more rugged appearance and are often associated with work or outdoor activities, whereas CUVs are designed to blend the comfort of a car with the utility of an SUV.