Why Doug DeMuro Thinks the Slate Truck Will Fail

[fuzzyweis]

I used to follow Doug for his cool fun videos but then when cars and bid and his podcasts started I realized he was a fairly yuppy-ish yuppy. He and his friends all drive expensive German cars, he vacations every year in Nantucket, I think his 'beater' car was a G Wagon, these are not things I aspire to.

So I do not put much stock in anything they say for a sub $30k small truck. I follow another You Tuber that is in to EVs and I see occasionally in person, and I asked him if he was going to review anything on the Slate and he very honestly said he's not interested in it so isn't following it much and probably won't, and I think that's a much more respectable position than having no interest but still punching down on it while you sit with your friends who call people "Philistines" in your private parking garage next to your million dollar Porsche, Ford GT, and Countach.

-Jim

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Doug and company are at it again this week.

Mr. Demuro has long held opinions against small, no-frills vehicles. His target demographic leans towards the high-end, exciting platforms that energize his base.

I don't suppose the Slate will ever find acceptance with Doug and in my estimation, he doesn't deserve any more attention here. Unless he comes out as a big backer, which would be a big surprise (and nice change of pace!)

 

[cadblu]

While everyone’s been comparing the Slate to new EV start ups, what Ford and GM are doing, etc, I think the better comparison is to VW. Volkswagen of America was formed in 1955. A more improbable vehicle than the original Beetle could probably not even be imagined. Teensy. 36 horsepower. Basic to a fault.. by 1959 they were selling 100k per year. Ever compare a 1959 bug to a 1959 Chevy? Detroit was focused on profitable barges at that time. No one would want one of those little foreign things. No one will want a Slate? it is the market segment that’s been ignored. Just like the VW in 1959.

Your post reminds me of this famous scene from Woody Allen’s movie Sleeper.

200 year old VW Bug

 

[sodamo]

Nice analogy.
Had a 60 Bug and 60 Impala, not same time, both used. Miss the Bug more. 😁
Bug was 1st car I bought, 1965, $600. Funny to remember but had the Chevy when speed limit was 55.