$24,950 SLATE Truck News & Info

[cf91chevy]

It’s attractive to me because of how it can be configured with the accessory kit for the rear seat and cover. If I could make my Maverick into a “Bronco” and have an open rear it would be pretty fantastic. Maybe there’s a niche for Ford to look into with the configuration aspect and make a true Baby Bronco. Not all of us can swing $80k for the adult version.

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[cf91chevy]

They already do it's called the Bronco Sport. Same platform, same assembly factory.

True, but you cannot remove the rear like the actual Bronco or the Slate.

 

[zen_]

This thing kinda reminds me of when GM launched Saturn to try to reinvent itself and compete against imports from Japan, and they had some really good success until the brand lost it's way and just became another badge engineered mess in a corporate juggernaut.

In one of the multitude of tariff threads I brought up Saturn, but I honestly didn't think anyone would have the guts to put the resources behind such a venture again, even after all the luxury EV startups have been financial disasters.

If this materialized and is a good vehicle, who knows, I love the Maverick but an EV that cost almost nothing to operate at that price point is very appealing. Even with Jeff B involved financially, I hope they succeed, and sell them as fast as the undisclosed factory in the midwest can crank them out.

 

[notfast]

I bet it will appeal to a lot of people.

I agree! A friend of mine lives in Las Vegas (single-family residence), works from home, bicycles basically everywhere, doesn't own a car, and very occasionally rents or borrows a car. This would be perfect for him. Little regular cab truck with a 5' bed is perfect for general homeowner projects, and the rumble seat would make it possible to pick up friends/family from the airport. And it will take up less space in the garage for the 98% of the time that it won't be driven, and he can charge it basically for free (paid-off solar system).

My opinion is that EVs in all sorts of sizes and configurations will become a bigger and bigger part of the transportation landscape, and I'm glad to see companies (particularly American companies) trying lots of new ideas.

Vehicles like this I think are only possible as EVs due to regulations regarding cabin volume and wheelbase. In other words, I don't think it would be feasible to make this a gasoline or hybrid vehicle because a vehicle with such tiny cabin volume and a short wheelbase would have to get exceptionally good fuel economy in order to not ruin CAFE scores. I'm sure that is a contributing factor to the death of the regular cab midsize truck (small cabin volume and a short wheelbase) and why the latest generation Ranger and Colorado/Canyon are only available as crew cabs.

Some of these ideas will turn out to be useful and commercially viable and will stick, others will be tried and discarded. The most important thing is that companies keep innovating.

I hope mainline automakers will eventually pick up some of these ideas, or the boutique automakers stick around long enough to be economically viable. The Chevrolet Volt isn't exactly considered a success, as is the Ford F-150 Lightning EV and the Chevrolet Silverado EV.

New concept is just putting in a post with an outlet. Not too different than a parking meter.

I've been saying that for years. RV parks don't have cables; just outlets. Gotta bring your own 30A or 50A power cord.

I can't imagine it would be a whole lot cheaper to build a cable-less Level 3 charger than one with a cable. The inverter is inside the charger as opposed to using the one onboard the EV.

Level 2 chargers should be cheaper though since it wouldn't be much beyond a pay-to-turn-on power outlet.

 

[Walter56]

Am I the first to suggest LS transplant

 

[Bob The Builder]

About friggin' time somebody decided to build a BEV that the average person can buy and keep their monthly payments around 400 bucks a month instead of twice that. Only one option from the factory. Standard battery or extended range. Everything else is modular and can be added later including pre cut and "formed" vinyl wrap in basically any color and DIY. Genius.

This vehicle is made in the USA, majority of the parts are USA. Dent resistant composite body, 5 Star crash rating. No self driving crap. Just frontal collision alert and a backup camera. Perfect.

I gotta say if anything happens to my Maverick in the future this old boy will be looking hard and heavy at a Slate. About damn time somebody realized that a lot of us working stiffs do not need 75K BEV's.

I am reserving one. According to the web site, 50 bucks deposit and totally refundable if you "chicken out"

 

[Mark1]

Basically a fancy golf cart. With startups like this where do you get it serviced when it breaks? Parts availability?

If someone in the US doesn't do this affordable EV thing we are doomed by China. They, I mean BYD already have a 10k EV car in Mexico and Australia. Like usual though American auto makers are slow to make affordable and reliable cars. They, like many American businesses focus on gadgets and profits instead of reliability and price with high volume. We blew it in the late 70's and 80s and doing it again. When your products are expensive and unreliable, no Tarrifs will save you. People want a good vehicle and will buy whatever and whomever makes it. Our automakers are on their last leg. Ford and Gm both have the most recalls of any manufacturer and keep doing it.

 

[zen_]

About friggin' time somebody decided to build a BEV that the average person can buy and keep their monthly payments around 400 bucks a month instead of twice that. Only one option from the factory. Standard battery or extended range. Everything else is modular and can be added later including pre cut and "formed" vinyl wrap in basically any color and DIY. Genius.

I liked that their CCO compressed everything that went wrong with modern cars for the average Joe succinctly into about a minute.



Only thing I think they should change that is really obvious is just putting a double DIN radio receiver in the dash, and maybe at least having speaker mounts somewhere. I love the spartan nature of the vehicle, but I do think most people at least want a radio, and the double DIN standard should have never gone away on economy vehicles (you decide if you just want a basic radio, or a device with a screen and tech, and it can be replaced / upgraded easily).

 

[Bob The Builder]

I liked that their CCO compressed everything that went wrong with modern cars for the average Joe succinctly into about a minute.



Only thing I think they should change that is really obvious is just putting a double DIN radio receiver in the dash, and maybe at least having speaker mounts somewhere. I love the spartan nature of the vehicle, but I do think most people at least want a radio, and the double DIN standard should have never gone away on economy vehicles (you decide if you just want a basic radio, or a device with a screen and tech, and it can be replaced / upgraded easily).

Not needed. There will be mounts available for either a phone or tablet. They are offering a sound bar option that is USB powered and there will be USB ports available as well. Can also bring your own speakers if you so desire.

A cheap 50 dollar Android tablet, free AM/FM app from Google Play and your choice of speakers and you will be styling.

 

[Potatomafia]

Federal law requires all new cars have a backup camera. So It does have to come with a screen. So far the pictures I have seen don't show a screen BUT do show a phone in a holder. I highly doubt a phone connected will meet this requirement assuming they have camera mounted in back. Not sure what size screen is required though. Could be a 2 inch screen, lol.

Still say if it was either gas or hybrid or even gas that charged battery like China BYD truck it would be much better choice. But if it sells great. Just not for me.

The federally mandated backup camera will be displayed on the instrument cluster screen:

 

[notfast]

Only thing I think they should change that is really obvious is just putting a double DIN radio receiver in the dash, and maybe at least having speaker mounts somewhere. I love the spartan nature of the vehicle, but I do think most people at least want a radio

I suppose they left the radio out because adding one after the fact isn't that hard, compared to say, if they left the air conditioning out.

Adding a radio: well, it already has a phone mount and they say to just bring your portable Bluetooth speaker, and there supposedly will be an accessory dash speaker and an accessory steering wheel control. I'm sure the people that don't have a smartphone, listen to terrestrial radio, and want this vehicle are niche enough to not be worthwhile for consideration.

Adding air conditioning: need a compressor, evaporator core, condenser, plumbing and wiring that has to go through the firewall. Pretty hard to add aftermarket.

I'm also guessing that the target market of this vehicle aren't those that want sound systems with double-digit numbers of speakers, especially with such a small cabin space. Adding speakers in the doors adds manufacturing complexity and cost. Heck, my '89 F-250 had a single speaker in the dash, right behind the head unit. A $30 Anker Soundcore sounds like a symphony in comparison.

 

[Edge Haley]

About friggin' time somebody decided to build a BEV that the average person can buy and keep their monthly payments around 400 bucks a month instead of twice that. Only one option from the factory. Standard battery or extended range. Everything else is modular and can be added later including pre cut and "formed" vinyl wrap in basically any color and DIY. Genius.

This vehicle is made in the USA, majority of the parts are USA. Dent resistant composite body, 5 Star crash rating. No self driving crap. Just frontal collision alert and a backup camera. Perfect.

I gotta say if anything happens to my Maverick in the future this old boy will be looking hard and heavy at a Slate. About damn time somebody realized that a lot of us working stiffs do not need 75K BEV's.

I am reserving one. According to the web site, 50 bucks deposit and totally refundable if you "chicken out"

The $50 deposit is a good approach....any start up company has a lot of financial leverage if they can approach a lender/investor with a list of 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 pre-orders in hand as a good story for an investors. Ford sort of did the same thing with the release of the Maverick...online ordering thru "Build-Price" and no money deposit required...and it gave FORD a solid feel for production planning of the Maverick.

A car company startup to with a "made in the USA" theme will in itself attract a lot of customers...with our current "tariff" threats. And the SLATE will have a low level labor rate (via robotics) which is the current auto industry's biggest problem. Tax incentives for EV's greatly helped sales of the LEAF, and worked better as an incentive than tariffs.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64564869/2027-slate-truck-revealed/

I'm a software developer and for those concerned about bigger screens...It would be very easy for Slate to add very minor software to interface with a bluetooth tablet...like an Ipad which are pretty easy to find for $190...just bought one on Amazon for $182..much larger screen and higher resolution screen and easy to interface to a rear (or front) camera or both, tire pressure monitoring, etc...

Placed my order for a SLATE earlier....

 

[zen_]

I suppose they left the radio out because adding one after the fact isn't that hard, compared to say, if they left the air conditioning out.

Adding a radio: well, it already has a phone mount and they say to just bring your portable Bluetooth speaker, and there supposedly will be an accessory dash speaker and an accessory steering wheel control. I'm sure the people that don't have a smartphone, listen to terrestrial radio, and want this vehicle are niche enough to not be worthwhile for consideration.

Adding air conditioning: need a compressor, evaporator core, condenser, plumbing and wiring that has to go through the firewall. Pretty hard to add aftermarket.

I'm also guessing that the target market of this vehicle aren't those that want sound systems with double-digit numbers of speakers, especially with such a small cabin space. Adding speakers in the doors adds manufacturing complexity and cost. Heck, my '89 F-250 had a single speaker in the dash, right behind the head unit. A $30 Anker Soundcore sounds like a symphony in comparison.

That's a fair point, and I guess it's a slippery slope to add things when the point was to delete everything off the blank model.

Only thing I would worry about a bit with the phone mount + bluetooth speaker solution is that it wouldn't automatically use android auto / carplay mode on the phone, which will lead to more distracted driving (counterpoint, many drivers already have their phone mounted on the dash for use).

Personally I would want an mod path to add a double DIN unit + regular speakers. I had the same Pioneer android auto unit in my Prius C for 7 years and it worked just fine.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The $50 is a good approach....any start up company has a lot of financial leverage if they can approach a lender/investor with a list of 20,000 pre-orders in hand. Ford sort of did the same thing with the release of the Maverick...On line ordering thru "Build-Price" and no money deposit required...and it gave FORD a solid feel for potential sales of the Maverick.

A car company startup to with a "made in the USA" theme will in itself attract a lot of customers...with our current "tariff" threats. And the SLATE will have a low level labor rate which is the current auto industry's biggest problem. Tax incentives for EV's greatly helped sales of the LEAF, and worked better an incentive than tariffs.

Timing is pretty much here for "Made in USA by Robot".

 

[MDmaverick]

I find this intriguing due to the ability to add the features you want. (For the record, I did put a deposit on one of these). I love the idea that it is completely owner customizable. . Will this come to fruition or will this company fail will be dependent on a litany of factors. pros: Bezos money and other high dollar backers. , Made in USA with US parts/suppliers may help leverage this company , low cost point for new owner with profits being in the add ons. Cons: difficulty in EV adoption, EV rebates may or may not apply,

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