What accessories should Slate include in their Review Slates they give to the media on launch?

[Mac-Tyson]

Normally brands give one of their top trims that way they can talk about the Nissan Leaf that Starts at 30K but show off the platinum trim for example. The difficulty with Slate is that they don’t have traditional trims just a Blank Slate that is either standard or long range battery. The accessories are completely custom for how many you want or don’t want. For a reviewer like Edmunds that buys long term review vehicles this isn’t a problem they can buy a Blank Slate and slowly upgrade it over 3 years. But other reviewers won’t have them for that long and I don’t think giving each reviewer a Blank Slate makes much sense nor has it been the way Slate presents the Slate to major media outlets. So which accessories would you like to see Slate include in these review units and which do you think it might be better to not include?

 

[Mac-Tyson]

I think at minimum a wrap that is either custom for their channel/business or the colors reflect the media outlet. Then give them the choice between Pickup Truck, Squareback SUV Kit, or Fastback SUV Kit. Also maybe an option between the Bluetooth Speaker Mount or their Premium Sound Bar Option.

I think you keep the roll up windows for all the reviewers since it’s such a unique aspect of the truck.

Alternatively maybe you let them choose any of the starter packs to review. But if they choose the Blank Slate starter pack, I do think you should include the Bluetooth Speaker Mount and steering wheel bluetooth controls at min.

 

[AeroWolf]

The plain Blank Slate Truck, choice of SUV kit flat packed, power window, blue tooth speaker, and a wrap kit. Let the reviewer test out everything from the smoothness of the modularly customization process to the simplicity of the interior.

 

[sodamo]

Make any review a multi step process.
1. absolute, pure Blank Slate
2. Suv of choice
3. any accessory of choice

 

[E90400K]

The plain Blank Slate Truck, choice of SUV kit flat packed, power window, blue tooth speaker, and a wrap kit. Let the reviewer test out everything from the smoothness of the modularly customization process to the simplicity of the interior.

This. Exactly.

 

[E90400K]

The important thing to review is the ease or difficulty of adding the SUV kit by people of average DIY experience and kit of tools.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Since Slate is a DIY concept; my plan is to do a DIY review of the blank slate for a month or two. Then decide what I feel it needs.
EXCEPT;
If Slate offers a discount on early packages.

 

[Trace26]

They'll probably let them customize it to there hearts content and then let them choose to have the accessories pre installed or shipped to them with the truck.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

It will be interesting to see if Slate does another media day. This is often the most efficient way to generate a gazillion splashy media reviews, AND it eliminates the question posed by the OP. The OEM rents a nice event venue in an area with scenic driving. They have pleasing resort lodging and catered food for the journalists at no cost to the invitees.

Then they spend one or two weeks hosting waves of journalists and influencers. There is usually a fleet to choose from in various trims. The journalists are brainwashed in several presentations, and then are set loose (usually in pairs) to drive the vehicles over a set of carefully selected routes. A media embargo ensures fairness. On the embargo date, you suddenly see a gazillion reviews drop all over the web.

That's how most OEMs do it these days. Slate did one media event, so I'm wagering they'll do the above. It's the most cost effective way of controlling how journalists and influencers first meet the product.

Now down the road (a few months later), most OEMs also have a program where they rotate a fleet of demo vehicels through the journalist crowd. They get the vehicle for a solid week, so they can really get to know it and produce "high production content" videos. The influencers are usually give an option of several trims in the "demo" fleet. Most journalists love to complain that they never get the base trims, btw.

In other words, I think the quesiton is irrelevant. I'll wager all journalists spend one or two days with all the packages at a launch event, including base and everthing they have on offer.

 

[cadblu]

Two models, side by side, should be available for review:

1- Blank Slate, as it comes off the assembly line.
2- SUV as follows: I’d like to see a lifted Slate with all terrain tires, running boards, rear tire carrier, tow hitch, roof rack, and fog lamps. For the Interior, demo the most premium audio system available at launch.

Why? It will showcase what a basic no-frills Slate can become. This is the “end state” which will capture the imagination of the DIY crowd.

 

[E90400K]

Thinking about it, I'll add, I think the review should also include the ease or difficulty of wrapping the Truck using Slate's pre-cut kit and the tools Slate provides with the kit by novice DIY'ers. Personally, I am a well-seasoned DIY'er for most all things mechanical and especially automobiles, but I have never attempted wrapping a vehicle; I will be a complete novice at the wrapping part.

In fact, I think ease/difficulty of wrapping is actually more important than the SUV kit installation.

 

[WA8YXM]

I would go with optional bigger battery
The body options already listed (Square SUV for me)
Improved Audio system (Basic or "Delux" (Higher grade system)
(AM/FM should be standard but you can optionally (I do not want) add sattelite and /or internet)
Android/IOS connect on the audio
NAV (note all this fits in a standard Dual DIN cutout and you can order from Crutchfield as needed or other suppliers no need to stock all these options shipping time from most vendors is less than start to end assembly of the basic truck)

Colors (Added cost) of course. Lighter colors cost less to cool by the way.