Why Doug DeMuro Thinks the Slate Truck Will Fail

[skidoofast]

Was there an announcement yesterday that I am not aware of? Perhaps 100,000 pre-orders already?

https://electrek.co/2025/05/12/slates-20k-electric-pickup-suv-100k-reservations/

 

[JeffVA]

Another reason demand will be high is because many people "need" a truck, it's not an option. I live in a rural area and we have to haul our trash to a trash collection facility. I'll be damned if I do that with my luxury SUV. I use my truck less than 4k miles per year so this truck will easily last me and my needs for 20+ years.

I was watching another YouTube video on EV batteries and they were reviewing a Ford Lightning. Battery life was still like new after 3 years but what really caught my attention was that he paid $80k for it new and 3 years later it's only worth $42k. Forget battery life, I can afford to lose $20k in 20+ years but $37k in just 3 years? Forget that.

So another reason people are going to buy the Slate is because they simply need a truck, not a Cybertruck fashion statement.

 

[JustWideman]

Caution: trigger material for us Slate fans.

Dear Doug: I DISAGREE!

He likes to hate on nitch things that are odd to him. He has a point in that the SLATE price without EV incentives is close to a Maverick with more doors and options, dealers, service network.

He roasted the Santa Cruz, too, and said no one would buy it. Hyundai sells 30k units a year, and they price it higher than a Ford Ranger for a smaller truck. Not everyone wants the most logical thing, there are markets for odd products.

Doug drives a G-Wagon cabriolet for Christ's sake, you'd think he would be a little more supportive of another 2-door, tiny bed Ute. He just needs clickbait for his podcast.