Value Proposition for SUV options?

[Shrink36s]

The fastback says it includes roll bar, squareback does not.

I am 100% confident you are incorrect here. it may say that, and that does not reflect the builder. It does not reflect the safety standards, and it does not reflect what the designers have talked about in interviews. Both SUVs have air bags which are only available inside the roll bar.

EDIT: Taken right from their site:

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I know there will be some takers, but I can't see the SUV kit being a high value item from an owner's perspective. If you want an SUV, you probably want 4 doors as well, and you're better off looking at another vehicle. There are plenty of 4 door EVs.

The cargo configuration might be popular with fleets that need to carry larger things protected from the elements.

I know it’s pricey but the SUV kit enables the full versatility of this platform. With this kit it can be an open pickup truck, the open air configuration with the seats and cage, or enclosed with protection against the elements.

I certainly understand it’s not for everyone but it’s for me.

 

[metroshot]

I am 100% confident you are incorrect here. it may say that, and that does not reflect the builder. It does not reflect the safety standards, and it does not reflect what the designers have talked about in interviews. Both SUVs have air bags which are only available inside the roll bar.

EDIT: Taken right from their site:

So does this mean that the factory can deliver the Squareback all done for $29,950 and installation included when I receive it ?

Or is there an additional install charge that I don't see ?

 

[clofan]

I keep going back and forth on the kit. I am curious what third party options will come up to fill the gap

 

[Shrink36s]

So does this mean that the factory can deliver the Squareback all done for $29,950 and installation included when I receive it ?

Or is there an additional install charge that I don't see ?

That's how it reads to me. What is still up in the air, is if the bulkhead and whatever else is needed to go back to a truck is delivered with the vehicle. There isn't a SUV-to-Truck kit, so it seems reasonable.
I noted in another SUV thread that I reached out to them for more information to answer that SUV-to-Truck question. All earlier indications was it would not come from the factory like that. I also noticed the SUV kit seems a little different than before. Where it clearly used the back of the truck cab, it no longer seems to. Maybe it retains the glass, but it does not retain the truck frame.
I posted about that here with some screen shots: https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...a-truck-with-no-extra-parts.15179/post-242579

 

[LuMu14]

I know it’s pricey but the SUV kit enables the full versatility of this platform. With this kit it can be an open pickup truck, the open air configuration with the seats and cage, or enclosed with protection against the elements.

I certainly understand it’s not for everyone but it’s for me.

Im the same, theres just too many occasions where I need a 3rd or 4th seat. I love the slate though because it will give me the option to also use it as a truck. theres no other cars out there that give that option. to me thats a huge selling point. Also 30k is still completely competitive among small SUVs. To me the pricing is completely fair, im not sure why everyone is acting like its unreasonably high.

 

[metroshot]

Im the same, theres just too many occasions where I need a 3rd or 4th seat. I love the slate though because it will give me the option to also use it as a truck. theres no other cars out there that give that option. to me thats a huge selling point. Also 30k is still completely competitive among small SUVs. To me the pricing is completely fair, im not sure why everyone is acting like its unreasonably high.

My thoughts exactly!
Very affordable for an EV SUV for 5 people!.
With the ability to remove top, back and seats for hauling!

 

[DinoLord]

I am 100% confident you are incorrect here. it may say that, and that does not reflect the builder. It does not reflect the safety standards, and it does not reflect what the designers have talked about in interviews. Both SUVs have air bags which are only available inside the roll bar.

EDIT: Taken right from their site:

Recently updated then. Was not there on squareback yesterday early morning. Good to know.

 

[FlyHappy]

So does this mean that the factory can deliver the Squareback all done for $29,950 and installation included when I receive it ?

Or is there an additional install charge that I don't see ?

There will be additional installation fee. The listed prices on everything is the price for it as DIY. None of the intallation fees have been determined yet.

Slate has used language that has muddied the waters.
Here is what I dunderstand - If you purchase an accessory at the same time as a vehicle AND you pay an installation fee, the vehicle is STILL built in base form, but your accessory is installed by the "delivery partner". Here is where the rumors of Carvana make sense, and my iron conviction that only base Slates leave the Warsaw factory.

If you chose not to pay install fee, the accessory is delivered with the vehicle, boxed up, etc.

If you purchase an accesory after you have the vehicle, Skate claims installation by 3rd party will be "available" in several cases specifically calling out "Repair Pal" as a provider, suggesting that they'll have pre-set pricing and such. Surely, Repair Pal shops will do some things and not others, and I think the willingness will be inconsistent. Wraps are out of the question.

 

[Kopsis]

If you purchase an accesory after you have the vehicle, Skate claims installation by 3rd party will be "available" in several cases specifically calling out "Repair Pal" as a provider, suggesting that they'll have pre-set pricing and such.

Don't rule out having installations done by local independent shops that are not Repair Pal affiliates. I have a shop up the road from me that would gladly install any of the available accessories - likely for less than the pre-determined Repair Pal prices. The accessories are all DIY-friendly so shops aren't going to need a bunch of specialized training and certification for installs.

 

[metroshot]

Don't rule out having installations done by local independent shops that are not Repair Pal affiliates. I have a shop up the road from me that would gladly install any of the available accessories - likely for less than the pre-determined Repair Pal prices. The accessories are all DIY-friendly so shops aren't going to need a bunch of specialized training and certification for installs.

I wonder how difficult it would be to do it yourself with common tools ?

 

[kvermeer]

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.

Of 171 responses currently in the pre-order tracking sheet, 15 (8.8%) are square SUVs, 9 (5.3%) are fastbacks, and 147 (86%) are Blank Slate pickups. No open-air or cargo yet because those aren't official options - I suspect the ratio of "open-air" buyers will be low, and cargo buyers probably selected either blank slate or SUV. But that's WAY less than 60%.

The original reservation tracking sheet had 984 responses. The results were Cargo 1.6%, Fastback 5.2%, SUV 13.4%, and Pickup 56%. It also had an entry for "Multiple" that won 24%, people clearly hadn't made up their minds and were more willing to indicate a desire for expensive stuff when it had no price tag attached.

I saw that CNBC article too, the full quote on the 60% number was:

Slate President of Vehicles Chris Barman, who was the company’s second employee and initial CEO, said current expectations are for the SUV to represent 60% of sales, despite the pickup being the base model at roughly $25,000.

but I didn't see anything indicating that was an essential element of their roadmap towards profitability. To the contrary, I remember (but can't point at a source without searching) that even the Blank Slate still represents a profit, it's not a loss leader being propped up entirely by accessories. Whether all the numbers work out at an average cost of $24,950 out the door or not I don't know.

It does bug me that the cargo mode will use the SUV body style, and that the fastback variant costs $2,000 more than the SUV when it appears to be basically the same thing. The fastback is just so cool, I want a fastback cargo cap!

 

[FlyHappy]

I saw that CNBC article too, the full quote on the 60% number was:



but I didn't see anything indicating that was an essential element of their roadmap towards profitability. To the contrary, I remember (but can't point at a source without searching) that even the Blank Slate still represents a profit, it's not a loss leader being propped up entirely by accessories. Whether all the numbers work out at an average cost of $24,950 out the door or not I don't know.

I wonder if CNBC misquoted/misunderstood.
I refuse to believe that anyone in Slates leadership actually thinks 60% of sales would be for SUV variant, given the pricing they set. that's just nuts.

 

[metroshot]

I know there will be some takers, but I can't see the SUV kit being a high value item from an owner's perspective. If you want an SUV, you probably want 4 doors as well, and you're better off looking at another vehicle. There are plenty of 4 door EVs.

The cargo configuration might be popular with fleets that need to carry larger things protected from the elements.

Yah, I agree with you.
I need the extra seats rather than a bed since I don't haul or tow.

Cross shopping the upcoming Ford UEV 4 door truck/SUV that has the same cabin size as a RAV4.

Will see if the test drive determines if I will let Slate keep the $300......

 

[E90400K]

So does this mean that the factory can deliver the Squareback all done for $29,950 and installation included when I receive it ?

Or is there an additional install charge that I don't see ?

That is exactly my question. The pricing info released on the 24th indicates there are actually four (4) consumer-level Slate SKU: pickup, Squareback SUV, Fastback SUV, and Open Air SUV. There may be just one (1) factory SKU and the three SUV variants are built off the line in a sperate assembly area. Ford does that with the Bronco for some accessories.