skidoofast
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Why Doug DeMuro Thinks the Slate Truck Will Fail
- Thread starter <3 Crank Windows
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JeffVA
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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.
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
Member
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.
cvollers
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I didn’t know a G-wagen cabriolet is a thing.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.
SichuanHot
Member
I used to watch Doug Demuro's videos quite often as I found his car "reviews" informative and entertaining. However, it suddenly dawned on me that most of his opinions are just that, opinions that don't apply to many normal people who use the car on the daily. He would nitpick really trivial things while overlooking more important things that may taint a potential ownership experience all for his comedy bit of identifying "quirks and features."
While he undoubtedly earned great success with his Bring a Trailer clone, Cars and Bids car auction site, I don't think he quite understands the burgeoning EV market, especially from potential younger owners like myself. The Slate truck ticks so many boxes, especially with their DIY friendly approach to maintenance and customization. Doug probably doesn't consider that important, but I do and don't see that offered from any other company - that is if the Slate truck does come to fruition. I'm hoping it does.
While he undoubtedly earned great success with his Bring a Trailer clone, Cars and Bids car auction site, I don't think he quite understands the burgeoning EV market, especially from potential younger owners like myself. The Slate truck ticks so many boxes, especially with their DIY friendly approach to maintenance and customization. Doug probably doesn't consider that important, but I do and don't see that offered from any other company - that is if the Slate truck does come to fruition. I'm hoping it does.
cadblu
Active Member
Admittedly, I have been a "fan" of Doug Demuro for quite some time. I have successfully auctioned off two high end vehicles on his "Cars and Bids" platform. There is no question Doug has been in the auto industry a long time and I greatly admire his expansive knowledge.
That said, I am not defending his stance on Slate. Over the years, he has predicted many car companies would eventually go out of business, e.g. Fiat, Chrysler, Buick, Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo, and Infiniti to name a few. I do agree that auto companies that cannot adapt to market trends and consumer preferences are doomed to failure. That was his message, and it is by all means relevant.
But that is not the case with Slate. Here we have an aggressive startup by experienced Big Auto 'rebels" that understand consumer demand for a simple, reliable, and basic mode of transportation, at a high value proposition along with endless customization options. Once you customize the blank Slate, it becomes a way more emotional and personal experience. That element of human interaction doesn't exist with most other mass market vehicles in this category. This element, might I add, is the 'secret sauce' in the Slate ingredients. Let's not overlook the power of the personal creativity. My prediction is that Doug will reconsider his short-sighted comments when the Slate hits the roads late next year.
That said, I am not defending his stance on Slate. Over the years, he has predicted many car companies would eventually go out of business, e.g. Fiat, Chrysler, Buick, Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo, and Infiniti to name a few. I do agree that auto companies that cannot adapt to market trends and consumer preferences are doomed to failure. That was his message, and it is by all means relevant.
But that is not the case with Slate. Here we have an aggressive startup by experienced Big Auto 'rebels" that understand consumer demand for a simple, reliable, and basic mode of transportation, at a high value proposition along with endless customization options. Once you customize the blank Slate, it becomes a way more emotional and personal experience. That element of human interaction doesn't exist with most other mass market vehicles in this category. This element, might I add, is the 'secret sauce' in the Slate ingredients. Let's not overlook the power of the personal creativity. My prediction is that Doug will reconsider his short-sighted comments when the Slate hits the roads late next year.
