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

[E90400K]

And I again point to the endless examples of grayscale/neutral cars sold in endless numbers. At worst, the Slate is neutrally-colored.

The impulsive/emotional consumer who "wants color variety" will see the Slate in grayscale and in the most diverse range of colors/appearances on any car. They also wouldn't be limited by the combination of colors/options/trims in dealership stock.
It's not a sure thing that people will accept that (true for any detail of a product that isn't yet for-sale), but Slate isn't particularly weak in terms of "offering colors".

I see the wraps having poor longevity as a potential issue, but that is very new information from the recent Q&A ("it doesn't even have paint!" has been an issue from the start) and, again, not getting at the issue of "paint is not regarded as a feature".

Any automobile can be wrapped if the owner fancies a color change. I'm not sure what your point is. My point is, is prospective buyers for the most part do not want to deal with the extra cost and effort to wrap their brand-new automobile. If the Slate SUV and the Equinox EV are the same price, the Equinox with its factory paint job will be the easier choice to make for the prospective buyer.

 

[AKrietzer]

Have they said the lifespan of the wraps if stored in a garage? I always put vehicles in the garage, and being retired, they aren't sitting outside all day. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, they use to wrap cars with advertising. I saw one recently from that era that still looked somewhat OK, but was faded on the horizontal surfaces. I'm sure the wrap was over 20 years old.

 

[cadblu]

And salt chambers.

Yes. I still recall Method 509 Mil Std 810 salt fog chamber with the V shape cover. We tested coupons for chemical conversion coatings. Needed to replace all equipment plumbing to stainless steel. Maybe we crossed paths in a different era…

 

[AZFox]

The Truck isn't designed to stay pristine-looking over its lifetime.

Thread:
Embracing Visible Wear and Tear (Shark Battle Scars)

 

[sodamo]

The Truck isn't designed to stay pristine-looking over its lifetime.

Thread:
Embracing Visible Wear and Tear (Shark Battle Scars)

Neither the owner/driver

 

[E90400K]

Yes. I still recall Method 509 Mil Std 810 salt fog chamber with the V shape cover. We tested coupons for chemical conversion coatings. Needed to replace all equipment plumbing to stainless steel. Maybe we crossed paths in a different era…

Might have. My early life was spec'ing and installing such equipment at a defense contractor plant. Shaker tables were my favorite next followed by temperature test chambers that heat soaked populated circuit cards (under operational load) then immediately cold soaked in a nitrogen chamber below. Fun stuff.

 

[KevinRS]

I am wondering what percentage of buyers will just keep the truck grey. It might be significant.

Wraps have improved over time, and the Slate is designed to be easy to wrap, most cars you really want a good shop doing it to get the complex curves right.

Just some quick searching on how long wraps last, I'm seeing 3-7 years, 5-7 years. Most factory paint jobs with color, if not parked in a garage most of the time, start showing signs of age by 7 years if not sooner, and cost a lot more than $500 to return to like new condition.
A paint job better than "rattle can" quality is going to cost more than $500. Part of the appeal of the "wrap strategy" is if you change your mind you can change colors for only that $500. Many will probably stick with grey for a while, and if they get bored or get the spare cash, wrap it then.

Sports fan? Wrap with a combo of the team colors, or even team logo, and show up at tailgate party with that Slate. You could do that with paint for significantly more, or a custom wrap on a different truck also for significantly more.

 

[smack daddy]

Yes. Sticker price will make or break Slate. “High 20’s” gets you a new hybrid Maverick, a used Tesla or New Nissan Leaf, each of which have numerous features but lack the barebones underdog vibe.
If the Slate can’t sell under $28k they’re not going to sell. This is my opinion obviously, I have a reservation and I’m hopeful.

I am in the 24k range this thing is to much nothing for 28k

 

[smack daddy]

I would rather have the slate but I am not going to pay alot more for alot less

 

[smack daddy]

I would rather have the slate but I am not going to a lot more for a lot less

 

[smack daddy]

I just hate, HATE, absolutely HATE every thread on this forum becomes 'YOU CAN GET A MAVERICK'

Yes, we know.
If you're one of those people that has to bring up the Maverick just please stop.
If you want to talk about the Maverick go to a Maverick forum.

It isn’t about that but the slate company has to realize that you can’t charge maverick prices and deliver Yugo tech for the same price I really want slate to deliver a low 20s truck I would be all in so would a lot of other people but you charge to much for this truck you will be one of only 1000 owners I won’t pay more for less I will pay less for less oh if you don’t know what a Yugo is look it up showing my age

 

[smack daddy]

It's a small pickup. It competes against the Tacoma, Frontier (their extended cab models) and with the 4-doors: Maverick, Santa Cruz, Ranger, and Colorado, all which can be had for under $35K MSRP before manufacturer and dealer discounts. All of which have a lot of content compared to the Slate and paint (in multiple color choices).

Sorry, but it just does.

Amen

 

[bloo]

I am in the 24k range this thing is to much nothing for 28k

I would rather have the slate but I am not going to pay alot more for alot less

It isn’t about that but the slate company has to realize that you can’t charge maverick prices and deliver Yugo tech for the same price I really want slate to deliver a low 20s truck I would be all in so would a lot of other people but you charge to much for this truck you will be one of only 1000 owners I won’t pay more for less I will pay less for less oh if you don’t know what a Yugo is look it up showing my age

Amen

Getting a vibe that this may not be the truck for you.

 

[smack daddy]

My choice is between Slate and other low cost EVs. My preference is Slate because while I don't need extra seating, I'd like to be able to occasionally bring home stuff that really needs a truck bed to fit in. Lumber, sheets of plywood, etc.
Maverick doesn't even have a plug in hybrid, and the EV trucks out there are around twice the price of a Slate, and are overkill for my uses.
I've spent more on gas and ICE maintenance than I've spent on car payments, so that's a big part of why I'm looking for an EV.

If Slate looks to be falling through or something else changes, I'll have to start seriously looking at new and used EVs as an alternative, but I really like the idea of having the utility of a truck bed without spending even more on gas.

Those people who keep singing odes to Maverick and showing up on the Slate forum just to keep telling everyone that Maverick is somehow better than Slate, that it somehow competes with Slate, or that EVs are doomed because average-income people don’t own homes and therefore can’t charge them...

Such arguments sound so strange, so far fetched, so forced that I fail to see what motivates such people. I enjoy the conversation though.

Those who seek cheap EVs will choose between Slate and Kona. Those who seek trucks, will compare Slate to other trucks. Those who want a fun car will be choosing between Slate and Electric Miata. Those who want a customizable car can choose between Slate and ... nothing really. Those who have no power outlets are irrelevant as they are not Slate customers at all.
Competition is not one-dimensional.

no those are the choices I am team slate however like I have said I won’t pay more for less just to say I have one that will be the down fall for this company if they don’t understand this I have a reservation in I am waiting for the final price low 20s they are winners 27k they will lose

 

[KevinRS]

I am in it for electric first. A plug in hybrid just adds complexity and maintenance costs.
The hybrid Maverick doesn't even have that, it is the non-plug in hybrid type. By using a gas engine to charge a small battery, and the power from that battery to drive the wheels, it gets better mileage than pure gas, but it's not one of these ones where people run all on plugged in power, and only stop charging every 6 months or so to use up the gas before it goes bad.
I basically never "need" to carry a 3rd person. I would like the utility of the truck bed, but if I can't get the Slate, I'll be looking at how cheap I can get a different EV, used or new.

I've expected to be paying something around $27,500 from the beginning, because the federal incentive can only be used against your tax liability. You have to have income over $75k if you are filing single, and have no deductions besides the standard or credits at all to get the full credit. Any deductions or credits drive that number up.