Who’s Reserving the Slate EV: Everyday Americans, Young Professionals, New Drivers, Contemporary Seniors, Auto Enthusiasts

[Letas]

JK.

My comment wasn't about that. It was about describing all sorts of car shoppers who wouldn't buy a Slate being neither necessary nor helpful.

Top-down vs bottom-up. Fair enough.

 

[HTXSlate]

No one has made a good argument that the Maverick is not a competitor with the Slate Truck.

Maybe you have not noticed Maverick does not come in a 100% EV configuration. I want a 100% EV for a commuter.

Argument approved. It's not a competitor for those that want a 100% EV.

 

[AZFox]

No one has made a good argument that the Maverick is not a competitor with the Slate Truck.

If you don't like Ford, that's a good argument.
If you don't like stealerships and prefer direct-to-consumer, that's a good argument.
If you prefer a smaller vehicle, that's a good argument.
If you prefer low-tech simplicity and no telematics, that's a good argument.
If you don't like crippled features that require subcription fees, that's a good argument.
If you prefer RWD rather than FWD, that's a good argument.
If you prefer two doors rather than four, that's a good argument.
If you want to own a unique vehicle from a scrappy startup, that's a good argument.
If you prefer the brilliant "timeless and familiar form", that's a good argument.
If you want lower maintenance burden (and cost), that's a good argument.
If you prefer lower cost-of-ownership, that's a good argument.
If you want to change your car's color every once in a while, that's a good argument.
If you want a car built in the United States rather than Mexico, that's a good argument.
If you want something highly customizable with DIY Accessories, that's a good argument.

...and those are just for starters.

 

[sodamo]

If you don't like Ford, that's a good argument.
If you don't like stealerships and prefer direct-to-consumer, that's a good argument.
If you prefer a smaller vehicle, that's a good argument.
If you prefer low-tech simplicity and no telematics, that's a good argument.
If you don't like crippled features that require subcription fees, that's a good argument.
If you prefer RWD rather than FWD, that's a good argument.
If you prefer two doors rather than four, that's a good argument.
If you want to own a unique vehicle from a scrappy startup, that's a good argument.
If you prefer the brilliant "timeless and familiar form", that's a good argument.
If you want lower maintenance burden (and cost), that's a good argument.
If you prefer lower cost-of-ownership, that's a good argument.
If you want to change your car's color every once in a while, that's a good argument.
If you want a car built in the United States rather than Mexico, that's a good argument.
If you want something highly customizable with DIY Accessories, that's a good argument.

...and those are just for starters.

Not to be confused with,”but a Maverick…”

 

[KevinRS]

Not only does Maverick not come in pure EV, it doesn't even come in plug in hybrid.

 

[E90400K]

If you don't like Ford, that's a good argument.
If you don't like stealerships and prefer direct-to-consumer, that's a good argument.
If you prefer a smaller vehicle, that's a good argument.
If you prefer low-tech simplicity and no telematics, that's a good argument.
If you don't like crippled features that require subcription fees, that's a good argument.
If you prefer RWD rather than FWD, that's a good argument.
If you prefer two doors rather than four, that's a good argument.
If you want to own a unique vehicle from a scrappy startup, that's a good argument.
If you prefer the brilliant "timeless and familiar form", that's a good argument.
If you want lower maintenance burden (and cost), that's a good argument.
If you prefer lower cost-of-ownership, that's a good argument.
If you want to change your car's color every once in a while, that's a good argument.
If you want a car built in the United States rather than Mexico, that's a good argument.
If you want something highly customizable with DIY Accessories, that's a good argument.

...and those are just for starters.

But a Mavrick, according to Ford, does not have a subscription fee, only the Mach E, Explorer, and Super Duty trucks have Ford Connect as a subscription. And since the Slate has no connectivity whatsoever, even if a Maverick had the connectivity package one would not have to buy it and they would be evenly disconnected just as much with a Slate.

No one knows if a Slate will cost less to own at this point.

An owner can wrap a Maverick at any time to change its color.

But a Maverick is just 2 inches wider than a Slate and 25 inches longer (though it has a rear seat, rear doors, and a pickup bed). The Maverick is HUGE! - LOL.

They both look like... small pickup trucks.

All good arguments they are competitors.

And industry publications think so too.

https://www.caranddriver.com/featur...ruck-ev-vs-2025-ford-maverick-specs-compared/

 

[Bayfire2441]

But a Mavrick, according to Ford, does not have a subscription fee, only the Mach E, Explorer, and Super Duty trucks have Ford Connect as a subscription. And since the Slate has no connectivity whatsoever, even if a Maverick had the connectivity package one would not have to buy it and they would be evenly disconnected just as much with a Slate.

I'd like to push back on this point specifically. Even if doesn't have a subscription, I'd have a hard time believing the Maverick doesn't have a way to phone home data. But this isn't too much of an argument as we don't know 100% if the Slate will do this either until someone gets one and digs into it.

 

[AZFox]

But a Mavrick, according to Ford, does not have a subscription fee

I thought it did because I read this:

According to sources familiar with the matter, the 2026 Ford Maverick offers the Ford Connectivity Package as an option on all trims, meaning every model is outfitted with the proper hardware to support the bundle's features. Specifically, the Ford Connectivity Package includes Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot capabilities, Audio and Video Streaming, Voice Assistant, and Entertainment.​

​

That package comes at a cost, however. While a one-year subscription is complimentary beginning at the warranty start date, if 2026 Ford Maverick owners want to continue its use, they must shell out for a subscription to the service. The one-time purchase option for $745 ensures service for seven years from the warranty start date, but buyers should note that it cannot be transferred to a different VIN and requires activation via the Ford app.​

Source

 

[E90400K]

I thought it did because I read this:

According to sources familiar with the matter, the 2026 Ford Maverick offers the Ford Connectivity Package as an option on all trims, meaning every model is outfitted with the proper hardware to support the bundle's features. Specifically, the Ford Connectivity Package includes Unlimited Wi-Fi Hotspot capabilities, Audio and Video Streaming, Voice Assistant, and Entertainment.​

​

That package comes at a cost, however. While a one-year subscription is complimentary beginning at the warranty start date, if 2026 Ford Maverick owners want to continue its use, they must shell out for a subscription to the service. The one-time purchase option for $745 ensures service for seven years from the warranty start date, but buyers should note that it cannot be transferred to a different VIN and requires activation via the Ford app.​

Source

My source was Ford's website for the 2025 models that have the Ford Connectivity option. But again, one does not have to buy the Ford Connectivity subscription and not having the subscription is certainly not "crippling". Crippling would actually mean, if we use the Webster's definition of the word, the Maverick owner would have to pay a monthly/annual/one-time subscription fee to drive the automobile; it would not operate without the subscription. But again, not having the Ford Connectivity subscription puts the Slate on even footing regarding lack of connectivity. One can easily use their smart phone to navigate just the same as one would with the Slate.

 

[E90400K]

I'd like to push back on this point specifically. Even if doesn't have a subscription, I'd have a hard time believing the Maverick doesn't have a way to phone home data. But this isn't too much of an argument as we don't know 100% if the Slate will do this either until someone gets one and digs into it.

I have a 2022 Bronco. If the concern is privacy issues, it is easily solvable by turning off the modem. That is what I've done with my Bronco, which I did to avoid software updates. My Bronco has no crippling subscription fees required to operate it.

 

[Bayfire2441]

I have a 2022 Bronco. If the concern is privacy issues, it is easily solvable by turning off the modem. That is what I've done with my Bronco, which I did to avoid software updates. My Bronco has no crippling subscription fees required to operate it.

Really? I didn't know that was a thing Ford did. Nice to see but I'm still one of those people that doesn't trust the brand as a whole. I'll once again say that I think it's a matter of what you are looking for as to if the Maverick is a competitor for you. For me it's not, but I'm also gonna say that I don't think that the Slate is going to be the better looking deal to the general public.

 

[E90400K]

Really? I didn't know that was a thing Ford did. Nice to see but I'm still one of those people that doesn't trust the brand as a whole. I'll once again say that I think it's a matter of what you are looking for as to if the Maverick is a competitor for you. For me it's not, but I'm also gonna say that I don't think that the Slate is going to be the better looking deal to the general public.

I've never said the Maverick is a competitor for me personally, I've consistently said the Slate and the Maverick are competitors in the automotive marketplace. They are both small pickup trucks that sell within $5K MSRP of each other.

 

[AZFox]

Crippling would actually mean, if we use the Webster's definition of the word, the Maverick owner would have to pay a monthly/annual/one-time subscription fee to drive the automobile; it would not operate without the subscription.

Capabilities that get turned off unless you pay are crippleware.

Wkkipedia:
Crippleware is computer software or hardware that has been intentionally designed to have some of its features disabled or not working to its full capability until payment of some kind is rendered.