$24,950 SLATE Truck News & Info

[Fcnrwy]

Am Reading it is to come with ...
Manual Windows.. grab that roll-down handle..
and NO Infotainment screen..

Sounds like my past Rangers...

Must say, I have gotten use to MY Extra two doors.. On the maverick...

Jerry

Sponsored

 

[HenryFord]

It's ALL "a la carte".

Interesting concept.

But will be $35k to $40k "nicely equipped".

They are following the Free Game model.

There will always be "in app purchases" with this vehicle.

This is an untapped market for perpetual upgrades. Instead of constantly having to sell a new vehicle to people offer them compelling upgrades to keep them coming back for the latest, greatest, updated, remodeled stuff for your existing vehicle. I think there would be a lot of takers if companies would start thinking along these lines.

 

[dochawk]

I remember when I said "Jeff Bezos? Amazon Stock = Hard No!!!"

I feel for you.

In the 90s, I thought that apple was doomed (and this from someone who still owns his 1984 128k Mac), but figured that it could be broken up for $20/share.

I was waiting for it to drop to $13.50, and was going to put $5k of my Roth into it.

It never dropped below $14.

Last I looked, several years ago, it would already have been 1000:1.

Oh, well . . .

As for the slate . . . will there be a variant for tall guys to slap on a saddle and ride on the outside?


I can just barely fit comfortably in a Maverick Lariat (and didn't in the XLT that I tried first.

And not just shorter, but narrower? ??? I could use more left elbow room in the maverick, but I think my right elbow would be out the window on this thing!

And my "hard no" is the manual windows. I won't even buy a classic car like that (but would make an exception for a 1920s Cadillac or model A).

 

[The Real Maverick]

From the SLATE Truck website. Just fixing your fixing.
" Use the included Slate charging cable • No need to purchase extras • Adds 2 to 5 miles per hour of charge • Overnight charge adds 20 to 50 miles " 12 x 2 =24 miles. 12 x 5 = 60.
"

Let's say you have an EV with a 60-kWh battery and the local electricity rate is $0.178 per kWh.

1. Total Energy: 60 kWh (battery size)
2. Cost per kWh: $0.178
3. Total Cost: 60 kWh * $0.178/kWh = $10.68

Therefore, a full charge using a 120V outlet would cost approximately $10.68, based on the J.D. Power calculation.

Okay so about ten bucks to charge fully. How far can it go on that? I think I heard 240 miles. I can go easy 500 mile on 13 gallons at $2.99 now for me so 38 bucks about. Sometimes even more. on 13 gallons. . Yet if you travel electricity rates are much much higher at those fast chargers. So up in cost to travel. So cost wise saving is there but not much . Added insurance cost plus registration in many states.

All to be crippled by its short range . They say not to regularly discharge a EV battery below 10 percent plus charge above 80 percent . My buddy has a Tesla and he says its in his manual for longest battery life.

Plus no idea on quality of components in this. Plus where to get service. These kind of vehicles are a big risk to a buyer.
[/QUOTE]
"Crippled by it's short range."

Hilarious. Are you trying to be a comedian???

Does ANYONE think this is a cross country family vacation vehicle?

Hilarious.

If you commute 240 miles a day, well, sucks to be you!

 

[TheSEARCH]

"Crippled by it's short range."

Hilarious. Are you trying to be a comedian???

Does ANYONE think this is a cross country family vacation vehicle?

Hilarious.

If you commute 240 miles a day, well, sucks to be you!
[/QUOTE]

The short range one says what 150 miles. But in winter time that low number drops by at least 30 percent to 105 miles. Remember they say to EV owners best not charge to 100 percent on regular basis for longer battery life. Plus best not to discharge past 10 percent so 30 percent off that 105 now your at about 75 miles. So you can go on a regular basis a WHOLE 37.5 miles one direction before turning around. I know many that drive longer to work than that.

Even with 250 range one in winter that's 175 . But then another 30 percent from not below 10 and not over 80 brings it to 123 miles on a regular basis. Seems crippled to me. Maybe not to you.

 

[converseguy]

I love my 2023 Mav Lariat Hybrid but Slate could make sense for me even with 150 mile range. My employer supplies us with free electricity for charging. Some of our employees bought Teslas even though they live in apartments with no chargers available. On the other hand I also bought a 2024 Prius but not the Prime PHEV since at $5000 additional cost even with free charging at work the break even was over ten years with an 8 mile commute. On yet another hand I paid $40,000 for my Mav because I like all the options and Lux stuff and can afford it so I am sure I would not be happy with the striped down Slate.

 

[Scupking]

Why all the hate? I think we should be encouraging any effort to bring an affordable alternative vehicle to the masses. I seem to remember the Maverick was ridiculed when it first came out. Sure this may be another vaporware startup, but I appreciate any effort to get the big three to start making affordable products

Thing is if it was a hybrid or regular ICE it probably could be 20k and include an infotainment system and power windows while getting around 40-50mpg. That would make more sense.

 

[51mavhatter]

Other than the beds being about the same size I don't think this competes with the Maverick. It's in a niche of it's own with the bare bones concept and all the potential customization an owner can do. This could be a big seller. More power and AWD will pique my interest.

 

[zen_]

Why all the hate? I think we should be encouraging any effort to bring an affordable alternative vehicle to the masses. I seem to remember the Maverick was ridiculed when it first came out. Sure this may be another vaporware startup, but I appreciate any effort to get the big three to start making affordable products

I feel the same; anyone ridiculing a simple, cheap vehicle at this point seems very out of touch. If this vehicle is a success it would solve so many problems facing consumers and the automotive market.

1. Current cost of vehicles is spiraling beyond what most Americans can afford, even stretching their finances beyond what they should with debt.
2. Many new vehicles are becoming almost irreparable due to complexity / poor quality ICE powertrains. Electric vehicles are much simpler, and this thing does away with basically everything that can be deleted if you want it that way.
3. Everyone would benefit if the average vehicle price on the road miraculously bent in the other direction (check your insurance rates...).
4. It's assembled in the USA, I assume with US components wherever possible.
5. If the USA doesn't get electric vehicles for the masses figured out, China already has.
6. Second chance for EVs that have sort of been a disaster in round one. Crazy expensive luxury cars not many people want with horrible depreciation, Elon's polarizing politics.

It will be interesting to see if the Slate delivers mostly what is promised.

 

[converseguy]

This not to argue but a genuine question. How many EVs are in the parking lot at you employer? Follow up, how many total employees? If just 1/3 of them drive EVs the service to the light poles won't handle the load. Plus when they see the HUGE spike in electric cost they will put in pay chargers. Employers are doing it now because they got a subsidy from the government of up to 100k per charger but that ended in 2023. Imagine 1/3 of the parking lot with chargers that is "free fuel" and the other 2/3 of employees have to buy their fuel. Won't be long until that "free" charge is taxed as income.

We have about 100 employees. 15 of them drive EVs so far. We have six chargers and have already had to limit charging to 4 hours when all chargers are being used. My company considers providing free charging to be an essential perk and have been clear that they will never charge for it. We do not allow non-employees to charge. We have already had some employees suggest that the company provide them with free gas which will never happen. We have had the chargers for many years but have never received a cash subsidy for them but we got in on the Volkswagen fine money so our chargers were installed and serviced for free.

 

[bartflossom]

Yes I put down 50 bucks and will trade my mav for it. Exactly what I've always wanted. This thing is exactly the same size as a 1984 toyota SR-5. You can covert it to a 5 passenger suv or hatchback. You can add electric windows, speakers, a tablet, lift kit, drop kit, precut wrap kits, and over a hundred factory made accessories. The body panels are like the Saturns of old, plastic with color infused all the way through. And to paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have any color you want, as long as it's gray.

My personal prediction is these will be everywhere like VW beetles were in the early 60's, or mini trucks in the 80's. It's perfect for 20 somethings just starting out, or retirees in the suburbs who just want a cheap second car to bring home mulch and an occasional sheet of plywood. Not to mention small businesses. And people like me who are just born auto tinkerers. I could have so much fun with this thing.

For those of you as old as me, remember when the J.C. Whitney catalog had about 20 pages dedicated to the VW Bug? This is going to be a people's car and the aftermarket for it will be huge.

 

[bartflossom]

 

[Joseaoe1]

Yes I put down 50 bucks and will trade my mav for it. Exactly what I've always wanted. This thing is exactly the same size as a 1984 toyota SR-5. You can covert it to a 5 passenger suv or hatchback. You can add electric windows, speakers, a tablet, lift kit, drop kit, precut wrap kits, and over a thousand factory made accessories. The body panels are like the Saturns of old, plastic with color infused all the way through. And to paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have any color you want, as long as it's gray.

My personal prediction is these will be everywhere like VW beetles were in the early 60's, or mini trucks in the 80's. It's perfect for 20 somethings just starting out, or retirees in the suburbs who just want a cheap second car to bring home mulch and an occasional sheet of plywood. Not to mention small businesses. And people like me who are just born auto tinkerers. I could have so much fun with this thing.

For those of you as old as me, remember when the J.C. Whitney catalog had about 20 pages dedicated to the VW Bug? This is going to be a people's car and the aftermarket for it will be huge.

That is very bold prediction. I hope you are right and I hope if that happens that we can recycle all the batteries when they are at end of life. Good timing for this company to be in trump America

 

[Administrator]

News: Slate production factory likely former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Yes I put down 50 bucks and will trade my mav for it. Exactly what I've always wanted. This thing is exactly the same size as a 1984 toyota SR-5. You can covert it to a 5 passenger suv or hatchback. You can add electric windows, speakers, a tablet, lift kit, drop kit, precut wrap kits, and over a thousand factory made accessories. The body panels are like the Saturns of old, plastic with color infused all the way through. And to paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have any color you want, as long as it's gray.

My personal prediction is these will be everywhere like VW beetles were in the early 60's, or mini trucks in the 80's. It's perfect for 20 somethings just starting out, or retirees in the suburbs who just want a cheap second car to bring home mulch and an occasional sheet of plywood. Not to mention small businesses. And people like me who are just born auto tinkerers. I could have so much fun with this thing.

For those of you as old as me, remember when the J.C. Whitney catalog had about 20 pages dedicated to the VW Bug? This is going to be a people's car and the aftermarket for it will be huge.

What's so hard for so many to believe that a CHEAPER ADEQUATE VEHICLE less than $15k is not only possible but HIGHLY LIKELY??? IF NOT THE SLATE then something else produced with 50 ton giga press bodies than can be turned out in FIVE SECONDS? Granny might only need a vehicle 4 hours on Tuesdays and 6 hours on Sundays? = "Time Share" even. Plus enough robots to complete assembly and stacked on delivery trailer(s?) at the rate of 1 in 5 seconds!!!!

Sponsored