Value Proposition for SUV options?

[tubes]

Designers are in California. Some of these design choices feel like California tunnel vision.

I'm going to get a Blank Truck. I would not get the SUV version of this vehicle. I think the idea of converting it borders on the edge of reality. IF I got an SUV version, I'd get it from the factory that way. And I'm a huge DYIer. I reroofed a building last summer. I rebuilt 11 bathrooms to the studs at a non-profit I volunteer with. I could do the conversion.

So I said something negative. For the sake of all of us eventual owners, I hope that SUV does well.

 

[FlyHappy]

So, @FlyHappy please review the Electric Duo's video in the link below. At 23:23 Mr. Keipper clearly states, "...we can ship the SUV from the assembly plant...". Maybe one of Keipper's advanced degrees, along with his MBA, is in logistics.

Because, you know, "Modern scale industrial manufacturing and finance isn't common sense."

LFOL

https://www.slateforums.com/walkthr...er-info-including-state-of-the-assembly-line/

I heard this yesterday, and yes, I agree those were his words. This is the first and clearest support that you may be right; every other prior statement (including from him) was far muddier. Perhaps they have solidified a decision internally (finally), after all , the lack of published pricing on any "installation" suggests that its always been in flux.

We'll find out soon enough where/who/how the SUV gets installed, I still hear his words as slightly open to wiggle room, but if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, I'm not dogmatic.

 

[kvermeer]

So, @FlyHappy please review the Electric Duo's video in the link below. At 23:23 Mr. Keipper clearly states, "...we can ship the SUV from the assembly plant...". Maybe one of Keipper's advanced degrees, along with his MBA, is in logistics.

The FAQ has always said that select accessories can be installed by the delivery partner. Slate has also maintained that they produce a SKU of one - even when we still thought there were two batteries. Whether that SUV installation is being done in a shared space in Warsaw just after the production line officially ends, or at a Carvana IRC megasite in Indianapolis or wherever, I don't know, but it seems clear that end users won't be forced to do it themselves and that the Slate manufacturing line does not run different designs one after the other.

I think it is a legit concern. Back in the day I had a Jeep Wrangler soft top. Obviously, it had no rear wiper and defrost on the back window. Worse, after a few years of use the rear window becomes opaque and difficult to see clearly out of regardless of the weather. You just have to get used to it.

I had a rear vinyl window on my CJ5. Roll-up, zippers, the works! The cloudiness is a real problem, I am a little worried about Slate's rear window getting drips of rain and condensation and ice, but like the Jeep, that won't make it undriveable.

You learn to rely more heavily on the side mirrors. Legally you need 2 of 3, you technically don't need a central rearview mirror at all (you can't use the central rearview mirror if the bed is loaded with stuff that occludes the mirror, or you're towing a tall trailer). My wife can do a pretty decent job of backing up a utility trailer or boat trailer by relying on the rearview, but she's is basically incapable of backing up our travel trailer, because it completely fills the center rear-view mirror and she doesn't know how to steer using the side mirrors. I trust she could learn to do it if she had to, but she always asks me to do it because I've always been there. It's something Slate drivers will have to learn and adapt to, like one-pedal driving.

Slate does also have also has a rear camera, which doesn't qualify as a mirror but helps with the blind spot.

 

[Driven5]

Does anyone believe the lack of a rear wiper on the square back SUV will cause visibility issues in heavy rain and snow? Probably not much of an issue with the fastback version.

I've been thinking about this too, and am a bit torn on it. It's a lot like power mirrors and windows. They are certainly useful and nice to have, but I also know that they can certainly be lived without. The question really comes down to how each customer perceives the assumed vs actual inconvenience.

The shape of modern crossover and hatchback rear windows also means that many are already criticized for having mediocre coverage from their rear wipers. Then again, the Ioniq 5 started without a rear wiper, and added one due to customer complaints/deamand.

I'm not sure the fastback is angled enough to make a huge difference.

 

[E90400K]

I heard this yesterday, and yes, I agree those were his words. This is the first and clearest support that you may be right; every other prior statement (including from him) was far muddier. Perhaps they have solidified a decision internally (finally), after all , the lack of published pricing on any "installation" suggests that its always been in flux.

We'll find out soon enough where/who/how the SUV gets installed, I still hear his words as slightly open to wiggle room, but if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, I'm not dogmatic.

The answer to the question however remains unclear, which is, is the $29,950 price for the SUV the kit-installed price from the factory in Warsaw. It would seem based on the Maker that $29,950 is the squareback SUV delivered MSRP (less destination) before state taxes and fees. Then that begs the question, is the Blank Slate + SUV kit (not installed) available for less than $29,950?

Slate needs to clear this up.

 

[E90400K]

I've been thinking about this too, and am a bit torn on it. It's a lot like power mirrors and windows. They are certainly useful and nice to have, but I also know that they can certainly be lived without. The question really comes down to how each customer perceives the assumed vs actual inconvenience.

The shape of modern crossover and hatchback rear windows also means that many are already criticized for having mediocre coverage from their rear wipers. Then again, the Ioniq 5 started without a rear wiper, and added one due to customer complaints/deamand.

I'm not sure the fastback is angled enough to make a huge difference.

My Bronco (hardtop) has a wiper/washer. When not used, the rear glass window gets pretty dirty quickly. The wiper has an intermittent mode as well dual-action wash function. It is a very much added enhancement to the hardtop version of the Bronco.

 

[Nivek]

It sounds pretty likely based on the interview with the Head of Manufacturing Engineering, Dan Tasiemski, that the SUV will be assembled on site, and maybe even on line. They might just pull off the blank slate out of the assembly line as the 1 SKU, but continue the others as custom built orders down the line.

Electric Duo

 

[E90400K]

It sounds pretty likely based on the interview with the Head of Manufacturing Engineering, Dan Tasiemski, that the SUV will be assembled on site, and maybe even on line. They might just pull off the blank slate out of the assembly line as the 1 SKU, but continue the others as custom built orders down the line.

Electric Duo

Exactly how I said Slate will add the SUV kit and sell it a separate model from the Blank Slate. (Post #45)

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Does anyone believe the lack of a rear wiper on the square back SUV will cause visibility issues in heavy rain and snow? Probably not much of an issue with the fastback version.

I understand the rear wiper adds complexity and cost, but virtually ever other SUV in this class has the wiper. And I haven’t seen any mention of a rear glass defroster. No heating elements visible in any of the media. Am I the only one concerned about this?

It's an aftermarket sales opportunity!

 

[Auer]

I dont think many will convert the truck later on.

It's a nice thought but most ppl will have other cars in the fam too that can do the 4+ seater thing.

 

[FlyHappy]

I dont think many will convert the truck later on.

It's a nice thought but most ppl will have other cars in the fam too that can do the 4+ seater thing.

I am not (necessarily) in disagreement with you, but if true, it represents a bit of an issue for Slate, being pigeonholed as a "second/third car only" kind of product.

I'm a fan, I'm buying, but yeah... i can't see it ever being my only car, and I'm a one adult household.

Is there room in the market for a viable company dependant on sales of a secondary vehicle? This product niche did exist in the past, but things change - so I really don't know any more.

 

[Johnologue]

I think the greatest value of the SUV kit is empowering people to buy the cheaper 2-seat vehicle without FOMO. But then again, I can't imagine having 3 passengers.

Ultimately, Slate's value proposition and concept in general is unique. Nobody else is offering a Slate equivalent, and direct comparisons between starting prices can't capture that. Consider, for example, that the auto industry expects to derive an increasingly large percentage of their total revenue from "digital" sources. Their revenue is your expense.

 

[Auer]

I am not (necessarily) in disagreement with you, but if true, it represents a bit of an issue for Slate, being pigeonholed as a "second/third car only" kind of product.

I'm a fan, I'm buying, but yeah... i can't see it ever being my only car, and I'm a one adult household.

Is there room in the market for a viable company dependant on sales of a secondary vehicle? This product niche did exist in the past, but things change - so I really don't know any more.

My reality is I'll buy the truck (3rd car commuter mostly) and thats it.
So likely Slate wont get any additional $$ from me until the battery dies.

 

[Kopsis]

I'm a fan, I'm buying, but yeah... i can't see it ever being my only car, and I'm a one adult household.

The Slate will be my primary vehicle, but not only vehicle since my wife will be keeping the EV6. But if I was single, I could definitely see having the Slate as my only vehicle. Back in the day I had a number of "only" vehicles that were dramatically less useful/practical.

 

[FlyHappy]

The Slate will be my primary vehicle, but not only vehicle since my wife will be keeping the EV6. But if I was single, I could definitely see having the Slate as my only vehicle. Back in the day I had a number of "only" vehicles that were dramatically less useful/practical.

Right, "back in the day", I did as well, but never once did I purchase them even close to new (benefitting the factory). I never bought a new Subaru Brat or CRX or S2000.... to serve as an only vehicle. Its legitimate to question if in this modern era, a sale like this is likely, and if any follow up SUV conversion is realistic.