I think there's room in the market for a back to basics car company that takes out all this bs, goes back to crank windows and all that crap and sells new vehicles for an affordable cost with a good warranty.
It would probably crush today.
Edit: I got like 400 responses saying "slate" ok I get it you can stop
I hope it leads to other car companies doing something similar. You can tell that there are some people on here trying to discredit them without any rationalization. It’s what is needed
I like the idea of my car not spying on me. Plus the concept of a car simple enough that they're practically zero maintenance and easy to repair is a nice bonus.
People keep saying stuff like this, but there are literally no street legal cars you can buy in the US for under $23k. $15k is mid-tier UTV money, nothing approaching an enclosed vehicle you can take on a highway.
The Slate is the actually lowest cost EV you'd be able to get, but theres this mass sentiment that it should be be priced to be competetive with golf carts, it seems so out of touch.
Chevy makes an electric SUV for around 27-28k. That's a little more than the slate, but the basic slate has manual windows, no radio, no speakers, it doesn't even have an armrest or center console. With a little customization (which most people will probably want because they're used to things like armrests) you're probably looking at 26.5 or 27k.The Chevy on the other handed is loaded with modern features, and it's an SUV, meaning more seats, more interior space to furnish, etc. When you compare the 2, it leaves me wondering how the Slate gets up to 25k.
What is the availability of the base trim on that SUV? What sort of fees come with dealing with the Chevy dealership?
A lot of the problem I see with cars coming from the big 3 is actually getting a car at MSRP doesnt happen outside of luck, timing, or if the model is proving to be unsuccessful. Are you going to get that 27k model, or is the only trim level available 29k before dealership fees?
I just checked and I see them in my area for about 29k. I've seen cheaper ones before, but that was about 6 months ago. A lot of them are around 31k, but then you're really getting into luxury features like heated seats and whatnot. Keep in mind too that we're comparing a pickup to an SUV, which is inherently more expensive to build. If you get the SUV package for the slate, it goes up to 30k, $1000 more than the fully featured SUV complete with armrests and power windows. I'm sure they'll try to sell you on any number of additional fees at the dealership, but that's optional, you just need to stand firm.
I don't know how much it costs to make the Slate, they may note have as efficient of a manufacturing process, or they might pay more for materials, so it's not necessarily that they are ripping you off, but when you compare what you can get dollar for dollar, the Slate isn't very impressive IMO. I like the concept too, if it were 20k, I'd be a seriously interested.
The SUV trim Slate is just objectively a bad deal- maybe something you upgrade to later when your needs change and you'd rather upgrade than buy a replacement vehicle, but buying a new Slate as an SUV is an objectively bad call.
We do know that with Slate being a startup that has none of the economy of scale an established automaker has, even the modular and basic nature of it comes with an inflated production cost. It straight-up costs them more to produce than Ford or Chevy could. It's honestly a miracle they're coming out at 25k, because thats competetive with the budget ICE options from KIA.
$20k sounds great and all but cars at that price just arent realistic, let alone EV's. That dream died with the Versa, and I doubt we'll ever see a new car for that price ever again.
I don't disagree with your points but I don't factor in manufacturer costs into my purchase decisions, especially when it comes to major purchases. I just look at what I can get, dollar for dollar, and the Slate doesn't look very good to me at this point. Your point about them having a more expensive manufacturing process due to the customization misses the point a bit for me though. If including basics would be cheaper, maybe include the basics? The one thing it does have going for it is that there's nothing in it's category. but if of the major manufacturers decides to enter that market, I think they would bury them.
One customization and upgrade-related thing to keep in mind is that Slate plans to open source their accessory-related CAD drawings, and I’m personally bullish about the third-party/DIY space taking off for the vehicle.
The Chevy is the better equipped vehicle off the lot, but you’re mostly stuck with that hard product. The aftermarket is floor mats and maybe some first-party overpriced aero addons.
That's actually cool, though I somewhat question how many people have the resources to print larger items like armrests and center consoles. That said, you can't print power windows, or a radio, or speakers, or controls for those feature built into the steering wheel. I feel like they went too far on cutting basics, and didn't do enough to make it affordable.
3D printing alone is pretty limited you’re right, but that’s just one tool in the toolbox. A well-documented spec (first party or community-produced) creates opportunities for small businesses to come in with innovative and competitive solutions.
The jury is still out on how Slate will approach aftermarket options that compete with the upgrades they see as key margin generators though
Yeah I get it, I just think the Slate is way too stripped down. A lot of people spend a lot of time in their cars, so I think such a barebones vehicle will wear thin
99% people who are getting it will use it as a 2nd vehicle, because it’s just not good enough to be a primary vehicle
Charging extra for extremely basic features like speakers and a centre console is wild
Eh, I can dig it though. I like having the options that fit me just right.
I plan to get one, and for me the speaker options are nice because I get to pick what speakers go where. I'm opting for full central speakers but none on the doors, because the climate where I live is nice and I will be taking the doors off semi-regularly. So less cables and connections is nice, and I'd be fine with it not even having electric locks for exactly that reason.
The real seller for me though is I get to save ~300 bucks to avoid the optional telematics module. This is going to be the only new car you can buy today that isn't capable of tracking and selling telemetry about my driving, and I cant emphasize enough how important that is to me.
I had a funny dream last night about going for a test drive in a slate. I walked up to it and it was only about 3 ft tall. Larger than a power wheels but only marginally. I think the reality will be better
The thing really does just give the weirdest sense of scale. Pictures of it always make me think its the size of a mini cooper or something, and then a six foot tall guy will get inside and say 'its pretty spacious actually' but seeing them inside just makes the thing look even smaller somehow.
That’s exactly the problem. Building a good car in the US is expensive. Electric ones even more so because our local battery supply chain is immature.
Also many people make decisions based on safety ratings, and to score well on those you need a lot of expensive things. Side curtain airbags, automatic emergency braking, lane departure avoidance, backup camera and sensors, blind spot monitors, etc.
The big flashy screens, led light strips, and silly software features are cheap by comparison and are a way to try to make the car seem worth the price.
I could moreso see the slate as a fleet vehicle, something that a construction company would buy to save on refueling costs of an ordinary construction vehicle. Or, something that a farmer/land owner would buy that doesn't really leave the property but is used to haul light machinery. It doesn't really make sense as a primary personal vehicle
Yeah, I guess I’m just not the target demo for a used gas truck. The Mavericks have their place though and I get why they make sense for a lot of folks. I’d just rather drive something all electric so I’m not having to deal with the volatility of gas prices or higher maintenance costs.
It’s one of the most affordable new vehicles on the market right now. You’d be hard pressed to find a new vehicle for $24k or less.
Like I’m looking at used cars that are still $27k for some ungodly reason. I don’t look forward to when my car dies and I’m forced into a $500/month payment for a used car.
It’s not difficult to find a new car under $25K, a base Corrola MSRP is $23K and comes with a ton of features compared to the Slate.
If you’re specifically talking about an electric tuck and not just a car then it’s hard to beat the Slate. But that’s where I think slate messed up. Their first car should have been the most barebones compact sedan/hatchback at the lowest price possible. The fact that is a truck and electric kind of raises the price up a lot.
Exactly. The non-hybrids start at $23,325. I ordered three base Corolla Hybrids this year for our fleet. Delivered, they were $25,218. They have pretty much everything anyone would want in an economy car, plus 50+ MPG. They even have radar cruise with lane centering and wireless connectivity.
If you're looking for an electric car of any kind. Seems smart to buy used in January to March. Most people aren't ready for the draw that heating the car is going to have and how slowly it'll charge overnight in the cold. 2 years ago there were quite a few "used" electric cars that had around 500 to 1000 miles on them that were being sold, "better" names too. The Lyriq was a surprise for what they were going for used with hardly any miles on them around Spring time.
IDK I'm with many others of where the fuck are the cheap ass cars now a days?
Their first car should have been the most barebones compact sedan/hatchback at the lowest price possible.
That niche is both already covered and not successful enough to sustain a launching company. But compact pickups are an open niche that serve a secondary market for fleet vehicles- and if anything is going to get Slate going its the fleet vehicle market.
New cars really can't be 10-15k. If you got rid of everything in the car that is non-essential, it still wouldn't be anywhere close to 10k.
Maybe an electric car with a very small range.
A Nissan Versa is essentially a complete no-thrills car and its MSRP is 17,390 and it's a piece of shit. They also stopped production because nobody bought them. Mostly because nobody drives manual cars anymore.
Sure, but you can find cheap cars in Europe and other countries. Another big problem is USA imports majority of parts from other countries inflating the price more.
Europe can have a 15k car solely because they have the production there and people drive manual. Even then, it's only the Sandero currently? And after fees and what not, it's over 18k.
A lot of things compound as to why cars in America cost most relatively. Greed, stupidity, tons of shit lol
Admittedly, it was a decade ago, but Chevy used to sell the spark for about 12k CAD, Dodge the Dart, Nissan the Micra, and I think the Mirage was around that at base price too.
Those classes of cars simply are not for sale anymore, despite being perfectly cheap. The margins they ran those on aren't sustainable when the econmy is like this.
15K is what you would have paid for a simple Toyota pickup 30 years ago.
I paid $25K for my GMC pickup 25 years ago. It was not barebones, but wasn't top=of-theline, by far. Average pickup. And smallest I could get back then, considered mid-size today.
Might as well ask for one to come in your cereal box, for all the good it will do you. 15k is impossible, so it's silly to expect them to sell it for anything near that.
I might be misremembering but there isn’t a spot for one unless you buy the upgrade so you’re cutting your own holes in everything, speakers included and wiring from scratch
Yes, but it's an EV. Consider fuel and maintenance costs and it's a bargain. I replaced a CR-V with a Nissan Leaf S, than gets over 100 eMPG vs only about 20 mpg for the Honda.
it's like a Tacoma or a Ranger -- the older, smaller ones. perfectly reasonable vehicle to build as a pickup imo. I would absolutely pay more for more battery and AWD, but they're not options yet.
Almost identical payload capacity of around 1500 lbs though. At least for me I use the bed almost every week in my Tacoma, but I've towed things exactly twice in 20 years, so it'd be perfect for me.
It's a pickup for those who want a small, simple pickup like the old Toyota Hilux used to be. The dummies in Detroit keep making bigger and bigger pickups when most pickups are sold in cities and never leave pavement. Sure, make big pickups for those who really want/need them, but how about for the rest of us who want simple urban haulers? Slate is filling the need.
Trucks got so much bigger because of the way our country wrote our emissions laws. Bigger dimensions meant you could get away with more at the tailpipe.
Slate doesn't need to concern themselves with that, since they're electric.
Nah. You moved the goalpost. At first all you said “Except they miss the mark by not making it affordable”. Then when they proved that it was then your issue was that it wasn’t truck enough.
Now you’re trying to deflect and make it about me jumping in. You’re like a logical fallacy black hole
Edit: coward blocked me 😂. I guess logic isn’t appealing to them
Except they miss the mark by not making it affordable
Your idea of what is "affordable" is completely out of whack.
Its not even possible to make a car in the US that sells for ~15k and make a profit on it. Not if you want the people building it to be paid well and the car to not explode immediately when it is bumped or kill you in an accident.
A realistic new car that barely goes down the road is at least 19k and the company makes about 2k on that car - so they dont want to make it because thats basically not even a real profit when they have to account for losses in other departments.
So the realistic actual price of a new car is going to be in the low 20s.
What they want to say but won’t is that the company selling it should be selling it at a loss. Or at least that’s the only way their logic makes any sense
Sorry boss, Slate has no control over your salary. God I hope that’s not news to you but the level of ‘stupid’ on the internet just seems to never disappoint.
They are a business trying to sell an affordable product for a profit so they can continue existing as a business. Criticizing the company and saying their prices are too high because forces outside their control is just dumb.
Funny how you're bootlicking so hard when you clearly have the psychology of someone who isn't in control of his life. Such a poor mind you have that the only way you can imagine a purchase becoming more affordable is through a drop in price.
A lifetime of having little to no influence over how much you earn has trained your entire mental habit complex to be one of a subject: someone to whom life happens.
The other way that something could become more affordable--obvious even to a kindergartner--is through the buyer having more money. For example, if the workers of America, whose real wages have been frozen for 5 decades, were to claim their fair share of the 100% increase in worker productivity in those same 5 decades.
I don't understand Slate's target audience. The truck has too small of a tow capacity/bed size to be of use for most contractors. Regardless, the 205mi range isn't quite sufficient for contractor use- i put 180 miles a day on average in our f250 in phoenix. And if you are at max payload the range is going to be substantially worse.
So who is the target audience? It's not a good family car, too expensive to be a starter car, and too basic for most hobbiests.
85-90% of truck owners are not contractors. Most people who own trucks own them because they think they're cool.
The target audience is the cheaper end of those people. As for "too expensive to be a starter car", better check the market again. The cheapest new car in the US market is $20k. There are only 13 models total that are under the Slate's base price of $25k.
I'm not personally interested in one, but there are many who are.
Trucks are by far the most popular vehicle type, and the majority of Americans currently hold far more debt than they should for their income level. Not hard to imagine those two circles overlapping pretty significantly.
I intend to buy one as a commuter. I also do a lot of woodworking, so I want something I can pick up some wood/plywood on the way home from work. I already have a truck for towing stuff, but feeding a 6.2L with premium is expensive unnecessary for a daily. The Slate will be a second (technically 3rd) car for me, so I'm not looking for something that does everything. The 2 door fits my use case perfectly. I like the smaller size, and the 1% of the time I might be driving with more than 1 passenger, I can take a different vehicle.
I also like the fact it won't actively spy on me, like Ford is notorious for.
I am a not particularly wealthy guy with an old house that needs a lot of repairs. I don't need a full contractor-grade 3/4 ton, and I don't need a people hauler. I do need something I can use to bring plywood home and take trash to the dump. A small standard cab pickup is exactly what I need.
Also, I think they can work for a lot of local delivery use. A small truck is much nicer in the city than a big one. Although, that niche is probably even better done by a van.
I think it should be easy enough for them to build on the same platform. Maybe not the 300+ range, but the 200 of the truck is pretty respectable. Especially if you are talking city driving. The slower you drive, the better the range.
They are concentrating on the truck just so they can get off the ground, which is a sensible plan.
The truck has too small of a tow capacity/bed size to be of use for most contractors. Regardless, the 205mi range isn't quite sufficient for contractor use
doesn't this clearly tell you its not for contractors then? seems fine as the car-after-starter car, especially with the options to expand seating to turn it into a family car for those who want an EV (understandable with gas prices these days and in the future)
With the 2nd row seating and hatchback options, it becomes more expensive than a new kia EV3. Hell, at least the ev3 has an infotainment center and whatnot
Ehhh it's just too expensive and niche. A Maverick is only 2k more and is a much more capable vehicle out the gate. The only reason to get a Slate over it is if you have to have an EV.
And sure, it can be ordered as a crossover with two extra seats and a new roof, but those are delivered separately to your front door and then you have to install them. Most buyers don't want to have to finish building their own car.
getting an EV is a pretty valuable proposition these days. "capability" is often rarely used - arguably the best capability is to run cheaply. that being said, for those who are willing to order a (light) truck, i'd imagine a good amount of them are perfectly capable of installing the extra bits.
Slate has said their trucks will only be sold in the US, a place where getting an EV isn't an especially popular proposition these days.
When I said capability I was referring to more then just it's ability to be a pickup but also its ability to be a car. I mean, the Slates base doesn't include a radio...
When an alternative costs 2k more and comes with basic features found on cars 70 years ago along with modern creature comforts, that's what people will buy.
Slate trucks will only be financially successful if they can sell them in large quantities, like any low margin product, but at their current cost and capabilities, their potential buying group is just too small.
This car is so divisive because people either praise it for it's back to basics approach or they talk about how it's a vehicle that actively punishes you for being broke and compare it against a Maverick which has an objectively nicer interior.
The Slate isn't really cheap, and it cuts WAY too many corners.
If you're looking for an EV truck in that price range, wait for the Ford Fathom, it will be around the same price but actually be usable and you'll actually have support for it
People are like "just give me a bare bones vehicle that runs reliabilily" and then they see the Slate and they are like "I didn't really want a bare bones reliable vehicle, you should have know I was lying".
Nah, it’s because it’s a $26.4k barebones truck. It also has no proven reliability. Thats not the barebones for the price that people want. If it was $20k, sure
Yeah I’ve heard some buzz around it but I don’t want a truck. Just recently bought a house with solar panels and my electric bill has been $0 so an electric car definitely seems like it would be a good idea for me but I’m hoping to get some more out of my 2015 Nissan Versa lol still doing decent at 170k miles
2.8k
u/burge4150 9h ago edited 3h ago
I think there's room in the market for a back to basics car company that takes out all this bs, goes back to crank windows and all that crap and sells new vehicles for an affordable cost with a good warranty.
It would probably crush today.
Edit: I got like 400 responses saying "slate" ok I get it you can stop