The $20,000 American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen. “It’s a machine designed to be extremely basic, extremely customizable, and extremely affordable.” It’s also designed to patina (i.e. age gracefully).
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There's a Car & Driver video about this that says Slate figured out how to keep making money when EVs require less maintenance by selling add-ons and upgrades. I don't think there's a single new car that isn't a scam at this point.
But if you're into the Slate, there's a forum: slateforums.com
Not sure what your definition of "scam" is (mine is along the lines of charging $10K for "full self driving" that'll arrive in a future software update....that never arrives), but what you're describing is just "commerce", isn't it?
Buy a truck for $20K - that's the end of your payments if that's what you want.
But in a year if you decide you want heated seats - $500 (totally making up numbers); if you want stereo/screens - $900. Want to change the color with a DIY vinyl wrap - $1500. Heck - change it into a closed-back SUV - $5000.
Or again, do nothing - $0.
Not sure how that's a "scam".
I’m waiting to see how they could scam us, but right now they’re talking about making the files available for people who want to 3D print and/or create their own versions of panels and accessories.
I welcome an affordable, custojizable EV that makes sense for tradespeople and families alike. I also recognize that we can’t have nice things, but I’m cautiously optimistic about this.
This is literally my dream car, a spiritual successor to the first vehicle I ever owned - a 1990 Toyota pickup truck. A truck so incredibly basic it didn’t even have a model name. A truck I inherited from an uncle who lived on Marlboros, Necco wafers, and John Wayne movies.
When I was a kid, my dad owned a pair of small trucks: a Mazda B2000 and a Ford Courier (which was basically a reskinned B2000). Oh and there was also a Datsun. I loved those trucks — they just ran and ran and ran and could haul a surprising amount of stuff.
I inherited my dad’s ‘91 Toyota pickup (manual-transmission) and drove it for about 5 years (including on a couple west coast tours with my band); then I got interested in Volvo 240s and old truckie moved back to my mom’s house. I loved the Volvo 245 for the same reasons I loved the Toyota: reliability, simplicity, hauling capacity, easy repair/upgrades, multiple model years of interchangeable parts, and utilitarian good looks. So excited a carmaker is bringing back that spirit, built in the US to boot!
Similarly my dad bought a '92 Nissan pickup that he drove then gave to me after college in 98 or so. I used that thing for years until I bought my own car and gave the truck back to him. Last I heard it's still running great for someone else he gave it to.
On topic - the Slate would be an awesome addition so I could make Home Depot runs and not put bags of dirt in the back of our family SUV. plus the customization looks fun. I hope they are able to bring this to market
It’s appealing to me mainly because of its size. Even small pickups today are far larger than a small pickup should be; there’s a hole in the market for pickups that used to be normal.
This looks like it'd be the perfect farm truck...maybe a bit small but still good around the farm?
I would assume they are aware that the company name is an anagram for "TESLA."
OMG. I can't un-know this.
That’s really interesting. Starting again with a clean slate? Some cleverness possibly going on.
I just want Ford to get their shit together and make an actually small, bare bones Ranger again because if you ever owned one, or had one in the family, you know. Indestructible! Make it look retro, you'll sell a ton of them.
Are you aware of the Ford Maverick? Seems like a direct comparison to the Slate, albeit without the EV option (though with an available hybrid option). Base price is about $24,000.
Smaller than the Ranger. More features/accessories than the Slate. And Ford marketed its customizability by the user as a key selling point.
This Motor Trend article compares the Maverick specs against compact trucks of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/how-big-is-ford-maverick-compact-midsize-yearlong-review-update-7-size-comparison
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