The Slate Truck Needs A Four-Door Version!

[AZFox]

My opinion about owning a small two-door truck comes from a few years' experience owning one.

When I was college-age I drove a 1972 Datsun Pickup . It was great!

I've been noodling the idea of a small, simple modern electric version of that Datsun Pickup for quite a while. When I saw the Slate announcement I was blown away.

IMHO SUVs and pickups didn't get bigger and grow extra doors because of consumer demand, rather it happened because of things like CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards that essentially legislated them out of production.

Not just CAFE restrictions, but import rules accomplished that. I had a 1989 Dodge Raider (a.k.a. Mitsubishi Montero) that was a fantastic off-road performer. It far exceeded the off-road capabilities of the Jeep CJ-5 I owned previously.

Shortly after '89 they quit importing the 2-door version of the Montero because it was re-classified as a truck-based SUV. The result? Much-higher import duties priced the 2-door Montero completely out of of the U.S. market. That didn't happen to the four-door.

I could be wrong about this next import restriction: I believe foreign manufacturers are restricted to a certain quantity of vehicles per year. If that's true, it stands to reason that they'd have incentive to embiggen the models they import.

So it seems to me like Doug DeMuro's assumptions are off. He's apparently assuming the industry is creating what consumers are demanding, however there are also CAFE standards and other government restrictions to consider.

 

[AZFox]

Here's someone's explanation regarding CAFE Standards. He mentions the Slate Truck at the end.

 

[Mad Mac]

You are spot on, AZFox.

The "Chicken Tax" was imposed initially by Lyndon Johnson in the '60s for chickens and other goods such as light trucks imported into the U.S.

Some of you may recall the Subaru Brat with two seats in the bed which allowed it to be classified as an SUV in order to avoid the 25% duty on light trucks.

Believe it or not that 25% duty is still with us.

 

[JeffVA]

No it doesn't

 

[Luxrage]

I am on team two-door but I understand the need for a four door. I know more than one person where four doors were a dealbreaker, and it was mostly to have space for a dog.

I’ve done a couple renders myself on different wheelbases including the current 2 door wheelbase.

Give me that last one as a two door or extended cab, like those monster 8ft bed trucks!

 

[slateya]

I am on team two-door but I understand the need for a four door. I know more than one person where four doors were a dealbreaker, and it was mostly to have space for a dog.



Give me that last one as a two door or extended cab, like those monster 8ft bed trucks!

“Needing” 4 doors for a dog. 🤦‍♂️ I will be making my oversized teenager climb in the back seat like I did all those years ago.

The price for an EV combined with DIY repair support are the items that push me past wanting a 4 door.

 

[cvollers]

My opinion about owning a small two-door truck comes from a few years' experience owning one.

When I was college-age I drove a 1972 Datsun Pickup . It was great!

I've been noodling the idea of a small, simple modern electric version of that Datsun Pickup for quite a while. When I saw the Slate announcement I was blown away.

IMHO SUVs and pickups didn't get bigger and grow extra doors because of consumer demand, rather it happened because of things like CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards that essentially legislated them out of production.

Not just CAFE restrictions, but import rules accomplished that. I had a 1989 Dodge Raider (a.k.a. Mitsubishi Montero) that was a fantastic off-road performer. It far exceeded the off-road capabilities of the Jeep CJ-5 I owned previously.

Shortly after '89 they quit importing the 2-door version of the Montero because it was re-classified as a truck-based SUV. The result? Much-higher import duties priced the 2-door Montero completely out of of the U.S. market. That didn't happen to the four-door.

I could be wrong about this next import restriction: I believe foreign manufacturers are restricted to a certain quantity of vehicles per year. If that's true, it stands to reason that they'd have incentive to embiggen the models they import.

So it seems to me like Doug DeMuro's assumptions are off. He's apparently assuming the industry is creating what consumers are demanding, however there are also CAFE standards and other government restrictions to consider.

I owned a 1989 5-speed, 2-door Montero and loved it. A lot like this Raider but two-tone gray and silver. Nice and boxy just like the Slate. Fantastic in snow and off road. I think the back seat got used once the entire time I owned it.

 

[Luxrage]

“Needing” 4 doors for a dog. 🤦‍♂️ I will be making my oversized teenager climb in the back seat like I did all those years ago.

The price for an EV combined with DIY repair support are the items that push me past wanting a 4 door.

I tried to talk the dog haver into at LEAST an extended cab as they have no need for a four door otherwise, but it was easier for them to get their 10lb dog in the back with a full door .

Our family car growing up was a Ford Probe, and all through highschool my friends and I all had various coupes from Sebrings, Preludes, Grand-Prixs, and Thunderbirds, we never had issues with two doors other than the occasional mud on on the back corner of a folded forward front seat. To me two doors in the back is two more power windows that will stop working, seals to go bad, ect.

 

[sodamo]

I think there are many people hoping to get a full blown design, 4 door, 4wd, long bed, etc at the Blank Slate price. Perhaps they’d have better luck going to the existing manufacturers and asking for lower prices.