Value Proposition for SUV options?

[EJensen]

I put my preorder in for a basic pickup and I'm pretty happy with the price tag. I never considered any of the other options.

I'm curious to hear from the folks that were interested in the SUV options. With the Squareback at $29,950 and Fastback at $31,950, what are your initial reactions as to whether it's worth it?

 

[DinoLord]

More than I want. Hoping the cargo variant comes in at 27 or so. Otherwise, I'll stick with base truck if I order, and then add a topper of some sort.

 

[Dorbiman]

To be quite honest, the SUV options never really made much sense to me. If you need a small EV SUV, there are tons of options out there, new and used.

 

[FlyHappy]

I always figured it'd cost more then most would be willing to pay.

Personally,I think it's DOA, and that many of those reservation holders who absolutely counted on over 2 passengers seats will not convert to orders.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

What blew my mind in today's CNBC article (not the video) was that Slate is projecting a 60% take rate for the SUV kits. And it's part of their "path to profitability" roadmap.

I'm hoping at some point (days, weeks, months from now) Slate will do a news release with some concrete ordering statistics. How many orders. What accessories, etc.

 

[gnarly180]

I'm hoping they offer the fastback as a cargo variant. I want the fastback top but I don't want the seats or any of the unnecessary related stuff. Pretty much I just want a 2 seat SUV to keep my folding kayak in the back of and do some car camping in. As it is now I don't like the price, since I wont be using half of the stuff in the SUV upgrade, if the cargo variant can shave a few thousand off it would be more doable.

 

[Nivek]

I'm hoping they offer the fastback as a cargo variant. I want the fastback top but I don't want the seats or any of the unnecessary related stuff. Pretty much I just want a 2 seat SUV to keep my folding kayak in the back of and do some car camping in. As it is now I don't like the price, since I wont be using half of the stuff in the SUV upgrade, if the cargo variant can shave a few thousand off it would be more doable.

Cargo variant should easily shave off a few grand. Seats, seatbelts, airbags, and roll cage add a significant portion of that.

Also, I am getting the SUV version... not because I want to, but because I have kids. There is no other open air EV on the market in SUV form, so I disagree that there are other options. I am hopeful the seats remove easily to use the bed as well... again, nothing like it.

 

[metroshot]

Well worth the SUV option IMO.
I need the extra seats.
I don't tow or haul so more seats is my priority.

Mine configured in squareback when I placed my deposit today:

 

[Letas]

What blew my mind in today's CNBC article (not the video) was that Slate is projecting a 60% take rate for the SUV kits. And it's part of their "path to profitability" roadmap.

I'm hoping at some point (days, weeks, months from now) Slate will do a news release with some concrete ordering statistics. How many orders. What accessories, etc.

Ha. I don’t believe that at all. Maybe if it was 2-3k

The SUV kit is cool because it can be added later. But realistically, a single guy buys a Slate, meets a girl, and the family grows. How many people are going to drop $7k on a component for the car, as opposed to trading it in and getting something better suited? Not to mention kids in the backseat is suboptimal. The SUV kit off the lot is just not compelling.

The only use case I can see it consistently making sense is when Grandma and Grandpa have the grandkids for 2 weeks a year, slap it on, remove after.

 

[Nivek]

Ha. I don’t believe that at all. Maybe if it was 2-3k

The SUV kit is cool because it can be added later. But realistically, a single guy buys a Slate, meets a girl, and the family grows. How many people are going to drop $7k on a component for the car, as opposed to trading it in and getting something better suited? Not to mention kids in the backseat is suboptimal. The SUV kit off the lot is just not compelling.

The only use case I can see it consistently making sense is when Grandma and Grandpa have the grandkids for 2 weeks a year, slap it on, remove after.

You picked the most expensive option so I am assuming you arguing not in good faith. Cheapest option is 5K, and you can remove the roof. You can buy that with a tax return for a young family these days.

 

[DinoLord]

You picked the most expensive option so I am assuming you arguing not in good faith. Cheapest option is 5K, and you can remove the roof. You can buy that with a tax return for a young family these days.

I think they're suggesting that it will cost more to add the SUV kit down the road if not ordered with delivery. Not sure.

Either way, not a small chunk of change.

 

[Letas]

You picked the most expensive option so I am assuming you arguing not in good faith. Cheapest option is 5K, and you can remove the roof. You can buy that with a tax return for a young family these days.

Edit 7k to 5k in my statement and it holds true. I’m not arguing at all, I hope it works for individuals and the company.

I’m just stating, the whole “it grows with your family” notion is a tough sell. Especially with the size of car seats, I wouldn’t be surprised if it struggled to fit in the compact rear seats.

I’m sure some will do it. I’m sure some won’t.

 

[blampart]

Why in the world is the fastback SUV 7K but the square one 5k? Less components reusable? Really dissapointed. Was expecting both to be max 5k...

 

[gnarly180]

Why in the world is the fastback SUV 7K but the square one 5k? Less components reusable? Really dissapointed. Was expecting both to be max 5k...

The square back re-uses the back window and framing from the pickup configuration, but the fastback needs a new window and framing. I assume that is where the extra 2K comes from. They probably also put a bit more of a markup on it because it's a more desirable look.

 

[Nivek]

The square back re-uses the back window and framing from the pickup configuration, but the fastback needs a new window and framing. I assume that is where the extra 2K comes from. They probably also put a bit more of a markup on it because it's a more desirable look.

2K seems rich though... without knowing the why, it just looks like a "premium" markup. Maybe it turns out to be for good reason, but 7k is hard to imagine.