SLATE Truck Debuts as Modular Pickup & SUV. Priced Under $20K With Federal Incentive

[2000prerunner]

Unlike most people weighing in here, I don't doubt there is a market for the Slate with specs and prices as listed.

My concern is that a small startup like this has almost zero chance of bringing a truck with the listed price and specs to market in a manner that is sustainable. I give it an 85% chance of it never hitting mass production. Even if they do bring it to market, I only give them a 2% chance of being able to do so in a sustainable manner (meaning profitably).

Like all of Tesla's models through their short history, new models need to be able to hit gross profitability, something Rivian has never achieved on any of their models (last quarter doesn't count due to the way they saved up sales of regulatory credits and stacked them all in Q4).

If a model cannot hit gross profitability, it shouldn't even be put into production. It makes no sense to make a car or truck that can never be sold for the amount it costs to produce. In a rational world, it makes no sense to produce goods that are worth less than the cost of producing them.

I don't know if the executives at Slate think they can sell this profitably or they just want to give it a go because they know they will personally be paid (by investors) to give it a go. And I cannot understand the thinking of anyone who thinks this stands a good chance of ever being profitable, even on a gross basis. If it can't do that, it can't be made in large numbers.

Exactly
Also, not sure how crash safety standards will fit in here. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned it or not but a huge reason pick up trucks have gotten bigger over the years is because you don’t need to die or get hurt as badly in them anymore when you roll over or crash . Stronger a/b/c pillars so the roof does not crush in on you . Multiple airbags, preserving the femur bones , skull and other body parts = good. Also active safety features like lane avoidance , automatic braking or even full self driving play a role. It seems like people are romanticizing 80s pick up trucks not realizing that there’s a thing called rules, progress and standards in first world countries that have made trucks infinitely safer. Like sure you could drive this type of truck and people still do in Third World countries. But they’re just trying to haul a bunch of bananas to the local market and could give two shits about their own life when they crash it .
if this pipe dream ever actually makes it, it will for sure balloon in size and price due to safety.

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[Administrator]

See the Slate builds people have configured and post your own here:

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/post-your-slate-build-configurations.12605/

 

[Cybrtr808]

I'm curious on how many $50 reservation were placed.

Slate is basically offering the affordability and simplicity of a 1980's Toyota truck in 2027.

I think the lack of an AWD option, limited range and its tiny size are going to big negatives for a lot of potential buyers. The Slate pickup is smaller than a Ford Maverick.

O

I put in a reservation

perfect new beater truck for one of my son’s as a beach car

 

[Cybertruck2024]

At first I thought this would sell well to homeowners that have smaller vehicles and don't exceed the EV credit threshold. But if you do meet the income threshold for the rebate, then you likely don't want to be paying the extra cost for insurance on this thing. I don't see this being most people's every day driver, replacing a vehicle.

If you already own a truck and don't care about doing work in it, sorry to insult pavement princesses, this is redundant.

If you're above the tax rebate income, then this thing at $30k is a rip off compared to other small sized trucks on the market.

Essentially this is the urban/dense suburban landscaper vehicle of choice, if you need something new. It just doesn't have a universal use case.

EDIT - In 2027 you can get a used Lightning Pro and likely XLT for the price of this thing. How is that even a question?

 

[Bridgeboy69]

We watched NFL Redzone on a Sunday driving back from a vacation in the freeway with it in FSD and an iPad on the CT dash.. so great

How are you getting around it's attention monitoring (eye/sunglasses tracking)? If I look at the screen (or my phone) for more than about four seconds it flashes blue lights on the screen, and if i don't quickly obey The Wizard of Dojo in about one more second it tells me to put pressure on the Wheel/Yoke...and it wants a good amount of pressure too, where I just wiggle it back and forth like a three year old on a quarter-operated kiddie car-ride outside a grocery store until it stops flashing...

Image courtesy of Grok 3...

 

[CyberTW]

How are you getting around it's attention monitoring (eye/sunglasses tracking)? If I look at the screen (or my phone) for more than about four seconds it flashes blue lights on the screen, and if i don't quickly obey The Wizard of Dojo in about one more second it tells me to put pressure on the Wheel/Yoke...and it wants agood amount of pressure too, where I just wiggle it back and forth like a three year old on a quarter-operated kiddie car-ride outside a grocery store until it stops flashing...

Image courtesy of Grok 3...

The iPad on the dash right behind the screen is just enough in the field of view that when watching it, the camera seems to think I am looking at the road.. no granted, I spend my time paying attention to the road, but I could peak at the redzone and it totally worked!

 

[cybercricket]

LOLTRUCK

 

[tingmo13]

there will be lots of Youtubers & medias claiming: Slate a Tesla killer

 

[Administrator]

5 Star Crash Safety Rating goals being met in early crash tests says Slate Chief Engineer

 

[Administrator]

Engineering deep dive: Slate EV truck chassis, body, battery, safety, suspension

 

[devdrone6]

I get the hype on this and I like it, but I had a maverick before and you can get still get those new for 30k. Now as something to differentiate from the crowds, I like it. But otherwise, you are better off with a maverick or santa cruze.

 

[CyberGus]

The $20k ($27k pre-incentive) price is for 150 miles of range. There's an option for a larger pack.

 

[Smokehouse Brown]

Exactly
Also, not sure how crash safety standards will fit in here. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned it or not but a huge reason pick up trucks have gotten bigger over the years is because you don’t need to die or get hurt as badly in them anymore when you roll over or crash . Stronger a/b/c pillars so the roof does not crush in on you . Multiple airbags, preserving the femur bones , skull and other body parts = good. Also active safety features like lane avoidance , automatic braking or even full self driving play a role. It seems like people are romanticizing 80s pick up trucks not realizing that there’s a thing called rules, progress and standards in first world countries that have made trucks infinitely safer. Like sure you could drive this type of truck and people still do in Third World countries. But they’re just trying to haul a bunch of bananas to the local market and could give two shits about their own life when they crash it .
if this pipe dream ever actually makes it, it will for sure balloon in size and price due to safety.

Woke? Who cares about safety? I ride a Harley without a helmet. I need transportation for hauling or when it's raining. I'll buy a Slate any day of the week at this price.

 

[blacksheep337]

The Jeff Bezos Tesla.

 

[YDR37]

Also, not sure how crash safety standards will fit in here.

According to Slate, the claimed base price of <$20,000 (after tax credit) includes airbags and all other safety equipment needed to meet current regulations, including:

• Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• 2-stage Driver/Passenger Airbags
• Full Length Side Curtain Airbags (Truck 2) (SUV 4)
• Seat Side Airbags (2)
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Backup Camera
• Pedestrian Identification
• Auto High Beam

Apparently they did not want to include any displays as standard equipment in the truck, but were forced to include one to meet the backup camera requirement.

They also claim to be targeting a 5-star crash rating, but have not been officially rated yet.

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