What is Slate competing with for YOUR money?

[motorolas]

Here is a Ford Ranger for everyone lauding its praises. Have at it.

https://www.rochestermotorcars.com/used-Rochester-2011-Ford-Ranger-XLT-1FTLR4FE0BPA93223

I always hated sitting in the back side fold seats.

 

[E90400K]

If a slate is at $31k for the "big" (small) battery, I am OUT.

That's what I calculate by using the predicted kWh cost of EV batteries in 2026, which per Forbes is $80 per kWh.

 

[atx_ev]

i have a 2010 tundra. It is still going strong but I want something smaller.

My #1 priority is an EV. Otherwise I dont need a new car at all. If I kept the tundra then any ev would work. I would probably get a used Model Y for the self driving.

 

[adele]

There is nothing other than Slate, because there are currently ZERO new vehicles that are fully touchscreen-free and internet-free.

I'm kind of surprised that isn't THE main interest of more people here, because everyone I talk to in real life says that they hate touchscreens in cars but just treat them as a necessary evil. I have always said I would pay a high price for any new car without a touchscreen and with manual windows, etc. and people usually agree with me. (And I'm not even old or anything, my friends and I are all in our early 20's).

I guess that most people who are online enough to have heard of the Slate and are talking about it are mostly fairly techy people anyway, so that skews it. Come to think of it, that gives me a lot of hope that if the truck reaches production and more people see it in real life, it'll become even more popular, as the "back in my day" crowd eventually discovers it.

 

[KevinRS]

If slate doesn't pan out, or my current 100k+ mile versa with a CVT fails first, I'll be shopping for a used small EV. I don't need huge range, actually looking at the numbers confirmed this.
I've figured out that the garage and even the electrical panel may be electrically limited, so I may have to get some upgrades done even to do level 1 charging properly. I think the panel is 80 amp, all slots occupied, and the garage only has a few GFCI outlets, on a circuit that goes through the whole house first, and they are positioned poorly for charging. Also there is an unused dryer outlet that could possibly be adapted, but again, poorly positioned.

 

[GaRailroader]

That's what I calculate by using the predicted kWh cost of EV batteries in 2026, which per Forbes is $80 per kWh.

Is that at the cell level or pack level?

 

[Doctors Do Little]

If slate doesn't pan out, or my current 100k+ mile versa with a CVT fails first, I'll be shopping for a used small EV. I don't need huge range, actually looking at the numbers confirmed this.
I've figured out that the garage and even the electrical panel may be electrically limited, so I may have to get some upgrades done even to do level 1 charging properly. I think the panel is 80 amp, all slots occupied, and the garage only has a few GFCI outlets, on a circuit that goes through the whole house first, and they are positioned poorly for charging. Also there is an unused dryer outlet that could possibly be adapted, but again, poorly positioned.

Yep, you will want to make that investment as soon as you confirm your order. I had sticker shock when I replaced my panel and had three new lines run to my garage for “future proofing” a couple of years ago. But now have capacity for two EV’s and a golf cart without killing my existing line (fridge, lights, garage door openers, irrigation controller, dog fence, etc).

 

[E90400K]

Is that at the cell level or pack level?

Pack.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

The one vehicle that might be a direct competitor if the Ford "Skunkworks" midsize EV truck that's due in 2027 or so. This is being designed to be manufactured inexpensively. If Ford sells it as a four door for 30k, that might do it.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/ford-ceo-jim-farley-reveals-skunkworks-ev-platforms-code-name/

Really, read the press, its totally Haigspeak, I could not get a single sense of purpose out of it at all.

1) engineering: nothing "we will build a factory", Ford have done that for a century, does not work any more

2) electric tech: even less "we will use xxx to surpass the yyy competition"
My only comment: grunt: when I have one on the bench.

3) They have the consistent advocacy that their process will reduce cost.
but without the UAW that will just not happen

Somehow (I don't know how) UAW, and Ford must come together to solve this.
Please, if you have an opinion that's constructive, post it!
We-all need everything we can get

Meanwhile, I have had Fords, but now my wheels are a Tacoma.
I would like A LOT for the idea of a "small FORD pickup",
lets call it the "Maverick-Minus", yes, horrible name, how about just "Retro"
as far as I know Ford never made one, not since the Model-T.

Please, no electronics, no frills.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Yep, you will want to make that investment as soon as you confirm your order. I had sticker shock when I replaced my panel and had three new lines run to my garage for “future proofing” a couple of years ago. But now have capacity for two EV’s and a golf cart without killing my existing line (fridge, lights, garage door openers, irrigation controller, dog fence, etc).

I doubt very much that the panel is 80, probably 100+ or more.
for an L2 charger you need a 30A circuit at 220v,
uses #10 wire (if distance is short, say less than 50 ft)

If this is not sufficient? Please, do not get an EV, you will be disappointed.
The payback for an EV is all about low-rate, overnight, charging

 

[E90400K]

Really, read the press, its totally Haigspeak, I could not get a single sense of purpose out of it at all.

1) engineering: nothing "we will build a factory", Ford have done that for a century, does not work any more

2) electric tech: even less "we will use xxx to surpass the yyy competition"
My only comment: grunt: when I have one on the bench.

3) They have the consistent advocacy that their process will reduce cost.
but without the UAW that will just not happen

Somehow (I don't know how) UAW, and Ford must come together to solve this.
Please, if you have an opinion that's constructive, post it!
We-all need everything we can get

Meanwhile, I have had Fords, but now my wheels are a Tacoma.
I would like A LOT for the idea of a "small FORD pickup",
lets call it the "Maverick-Minus", yes, horrible name, how about just "Retro"
as far as I know Ford never made one, not since the Model-T.

Please, no electronics, no frills.

I found it amusing when Farley stated earlier this year that his badge doesn't work at the Skunkworks development center.

WTF.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

I found it amusing when Farley stated earlier this year that his badge doesn't work at the Skunkworks development center.

WTF.

Now thats a quote!, if I can find it.
This is one of the things that "should be true" but probably is not.

OK, Ford: Mini truck! any possibility at all, before say 2028 model year?
please?

 

[E90400K]

Now thats a quote!, if I can find it.
This is one of the things that "should be true" but probably is not.

OK, Ford: Mini truck! any possibility at all, before say 2028 model year?
please?

It was in an interview with him I saw earlier this year. I was taken aback. The CEO of the world's 3rd (4th) largest automotive corporation brags that he can't get into the part of the company he's betting the company's future on? He has no control over it?

If I was a board member, the next day he'd have a petition facing him to remove his butt from the CEO spot.

 

[Dorbiman]

It was in an interview with him I saw earlier this year. I was taken aback. The CEO of the world's 3rd (4th) largest automotive corporation brags that he can't get into the part of the company he's betting the company's future on? He has no control over it?

If I was a board member, the next day, he'd have a petition facing him to remove his butt from the CEO spot.

I think it’s a good thing. It’s not like there’s zero oversight. It’s more a figurative thing in my eyes. The goal of any Skunkworks group is to come up with something innovative and new without the constraints of tradition.

 

[Letas]

It was in an interview with him I saw earlier this year. I was taken aback. The CEO of the world's 3rd (4th) largest automotive corporation brags that he can't get into the part of the company he's betting the company's future on? He has no control over it?

If I was a board member, the next day he'd have a petition facing him to remove his butt from the CEO spot.

Probably way overthinking this….

“Hello security, we have a new building. Please give the following people access”