Slate is a phenomenal idea but….
Posted by RegisterFit1252@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 684 comments
Stripping a vehicle down to basically nothing and it still costs 28k??? Roll down windows (love it), no speakers, no radio, no screens, rear wheel drive only, etc etc. Again, I love the idea. But a vehicle stripped down this much still costs 28k??? That’s insane to me.
I realize there will be rebates, and I realize there are required safety features which cost money. But I’d expect a vehicle with essentially nothing but a motor, body, wheels and a steering wheel would be like 15k to start, plus rebates.
shellmiro@reddit
As someone in the other thread said, it's as if a manufacturer actually decided to listen to enthusiasts' opinions online and make a car out of it. And for that reason alone I think it'll be total flop.
czarfalcon@reddit
I could see some business/local governments taking a swing on these as fleet vehicles. But, yeah, I don’t see many individuals actually buying these.
shellmiro@reddit
The most important aspects govt departments look at for fleet vehicles is reliability, availability of spare parts and easy service and repairability. Reliability is uncertain as of now due to fleet EVs being a new thing (you could look at the Rivian vans at Amazon). Availability of spares completely depends on the fact of whether or not the company exists in the future. If the company goes bust or slowly withers down, those departments will be stuck with paperweights. One thing it's got going for is that EVs are generally very low maintainence.
Overall, I don't think most govt departments will want to place their bets on a new emergent like this.
mCProgram@reddit
I think you’re putting way too much faith in the due diligence of the purchasing departments of those agencies. USPS dropped how much money on a completely unproven electric chassis that is being built by a company that previously built only tanks and heavy machinery.
Bezos is fronting the development/proving of this, satiating that part, leaving only time as a factor, but at 10k cheaper then a similar maverick, that’s a lot of money savedz
SykoFI-RE@reddit
What is 10k cheaper than a Maverick? You can pickup a base Maverick for like $23k right now.
mCProgram@reddit
The maverick starts at 26k and gets no rebates. This starts at 28k and gets 7.5k from feds and a variable amount from the state, making it over 10k cheaper in most urban states where this would actually work as a product.
Loud_Internet572@reddit
The problem with people factoring in the federal EV credit (assuming it sticks around) is that it is tied to your tax liability. If you don't owe any taxes, you don't get a dime of that credit. It's why I get so sick and tired of hearing EVs advertised like "It will start at $37,500, but after incentives, it will start at $30,000" - it's simply not true. I've owned two EVs in the past and the only exception to this that I have seen are at the state level where a state will actually a rebate up front off the MSRP.
mCProgram@reddit
This is incorrect. It’s a credit, which means you get it back on your refund unless you are owing that amount. State benefits are generally removed from the sales tax of the car and then a credit on top of that depending on the size.
Loud_Internet572@reddit
No, it's tied to your taxes - see here:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/ev-tax-credit-electric-vehicle-tax-credit
mCProgram@reddit
“Consumers can either choose to claim the credit on their taxes or opt to transfer the credit to an eligible dealer for an immediate discount on the vehicle at purchase.”
KeyboardGunner@reddit
$27k now. Ford is getting greedy.
velociraptorfarmer@reddit
There's a fucking shocker... /s
SykoFI-RE@reddit
That's a big "IF" for the federal incentives. Alot of manufacturers struggle to keep their cars qualified for the federal incentives, especially the lowest cost cars. Only like 9 states have state incentives.
And that's all ignoring the fact that release is years away and there's zero that guarantees their pricing will hold.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
Policy discussion is welcome. However, if your post involves politics AND CARS, please consider submitting to /r/CarsOffTopic.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
TheNeonPeanut@reddit
Oshkosh doesn't build tanks. They also build much more then heavy machinery.
Snazzy21@reddit
The way defense companies work is they spread production out to as many states as possible so they can influence as many state senators as possible. Gov purchasing considerations are very different, they aren't just looking at value and performance, they think about who the money goes to and if it affects US dependence on other countries.
The new mail truck makes no sense until you consider they produce in 10 states, and are a US company that already had contracts. Slate could leverage this same hand if the produce in the US when they try selling to the government.
AvailableSalt492@reddit
Reliability is uncertain because this is a new brand, not because it's an EV
pusch85@reddit
It’s got the iPhone Mini curse. A vocal minority amplifying demand and then not buying it because “reasons”.
Banana_Leclerc12@reddit
hey, i actually did buy one.
gimpwiz@reddit
I think they sold like 30 million units of the mini. There is a pretty big market for smaller phones that are more-or-less flagships: people with small hands and small pockets (ie, women who don't carry purses.)
hi_im_bored13@reddit
And then blaming it on marketing for the next 5 years and asking apple to bring it back. One of the worst selling models of all time.
shellmiro@reddit
On the contrary, the so called enthusiasts were shitting all over the new iPhone 16e and proclaimed that it would be a dud because "why wouldn't you just buy a 15 pro". The 16e just helped apple reclaim its lead in global Q1 2025 smartphone sales. Proves that redditors don't know what most people actually want in the real world.
hi_im_bored13@reddit
redditors have absolutely no concept of fleet/business sales, said that the price point was to target corporate companies at launch and was downvoted to hell in that subreddit
anyways have one as a company phone. it’s pretty nice. not really losing out on anything I care much about. turns out the target demographic don’t really care that much about 120hz
Single_Hovercraft289@reddit
I want to believe!
Single_Hovercraft289@reddit
We all bought ‘em…Just ain’t enough of us…
WeeniePops@reddit
I think it's just too stripped down for the price tbh. The people who like crank windows are ABSOLUTELY the minority, no matter how vocal they may be. I don't require a lot in a car, but power windows are a given. I'd also like it to have SOME kind of stereo in it. This truck looks cool and I like the modularity of it, but the range and features you get for the base price are pretty dog shit imo. It either needs to come with more stuff, have better range, or be way cheaper. At this price point there really isn't anything special about it. It's an interesting concept, but I think they're missing the mark.
Larcya@reddit
Becuese people who actually buy things (Unlike Enthusiasts) want X. If you don't give them X they will tell you to fuck off and go buy product that has X.
Their is a reason why manufactures don't bother with base trim models of cars most of the time. It's becuese people who actually buy cars don't fucking want them.
If Volvo offered a Manual Brown wagon with Manual windows Car Enthusiasts would be going nuts. Everyone would be sucking each others dicks off celebrating.
Said Manual Brown Wagon with Manual windows however would be a sales disaster and would be canned in 1 year becuese no one bought the fucking thing.
Car Enthusiasts are probably the worst Enthusiasts becuese they never actually buy anything. They will talk about how Company should do X and if they did they would consider buying it! Meanwhile they drive a clapped out 2002 Honda Civic that is barely still running.
Riverrattpei@reddit
Hell Volvo might be dropping wagons period because their crossover equivalents are outselling them 10 to 1
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
Nailed it. This thing coming with no infotainment screen alone is going to result in 95% of your average non-enthusiasts not buying it. For a shockingly large number of your regular people, infotainment and carplay is the #1 most important, and sometimes the only important thing, they care about with their cars.
specialcommenter@reddit
The should’ve gave it a double din opening in the dash and 6.5” speaker openings in the doors. I would’ve bought it. I’m willing to overlook the manual crank windows
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
In the personalization menus, you can upgrade them to power windows.
College_Prestige@reddit
This is the framework laptop of cars but without China's supply chains making things relatively price competitive for enthusiasts
No-fear-im-here@reddit
Exactly, Reddits think they represent most people but in reality they don’t at all
MoirasPurpleOrb@reddit
Because most people would rather buy a better vehicle, but used, over this. Something so many on here just don’t seem to understand
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I disagree with that. I think the idea is phenomenal, but the execution may not be great. A car company can absolutely take a great idea and fuck it up.
gmkings@reddit
No radio and speakers is kind of criminal tbh. Just a simple single din head deck and two speakers on the dash near the A pillars or even just in the door cards would make all the difference.
BeginningPear4033@reddit
Looks like they have two portable speakers in the dash board
DontEatConcrete@reddit
TBH a $30 bluetooth speaker mounted in the center would sound as good as those anyway, and that's kind of the point of this thing.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I’m sure you’ll be able to add those things on, but when you start at 28k?? I’d like a bare bones nothing car to start at 15k and then add things on
dqrules11@reddit
Im pretty sure the cost of just the battery pack in many cases is almost $10k. Thats the limiting factor.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I absolutely believe that. Plus safety features I could see that being true… so why is the battery pack 10k?? lol
I also hope this starts a copycat company (i could see kia doing something like this) and theirs would actually be cheap
BladeVampire1@reddit
Depends, is that the MSRP of just the battery? If so that's normal, individual parts have higher markups than a fully assembled product including said parts.
Necro_Atrum@reddit
The batteries in the Mercedes eq line are all in 50k$ range
GoHuskies1984@reddit
Per Google nickel manganese cobalt batteries cost $112 - $139 per KwH and the smaller truck battery will be 54.7 KwH. Battery will be built in the US. That’s an easy $7600 for just the battery not counting any other labor or material expenses.
Koil_ting@reddit
It's an interesting concept because as "simple" as an electric car is, it is in fact cheaper to create the more complicated ICE vehicle.
phr3dly@reddit
The efficiency with which we can build gas vehicles is astounding. I can pay $6000 for a mid-range mountain bike and that company goes out of business because even at $6000 it's losing money.
A Nissan Versa S costs about 3 times that, but the complexity and the number of components are many orders of magnitude higher.
Navaros313@reddit
You know what's funny, looking at a flyer for a place that sells bikes, they've been the same price for over 20 years. BMX -mountain bikes, all the same price points.
badboyz1256@reddit
Man when did $6k mtbs become midrange? Or well I ain’t an expert because I thought 1.5k giant fathom 1 was mid range
lost-my-old-account@reddit
Even twenty year old cars are a steal in the complexity vs price scale. Consider a 2nd Gen Prius, maybe a few grand at this point. Compare that to a 5kw backup generator with a built in battery backup system. You're not going to find anything close to that price for a new system, and they probably won't last a decade of being used constantly.
Atypical_Mammal@reddit
And even crazier example is this snap-on tool cabinet:
https://shop.snapon.com/product/KEXP725-EPIQ%E2%84%A2-Series-Five-Bank-Roll-Cab-with-PowerDrawer-(144%22)/144%22-26-Drawer-Five-Bank-EPIQ%E2%84%A2-Series-Roll-Cab-with-PowerDrawer-(Gloss-Black)/KEXP725D0PC?gQT=1
A simple box on wheels with some drawers - and yet costs as much as a decent new Camry
EliminateThePenny@reddit
That's not really the same thing. That's fairly easy stamped and painted steel and a simple assembly. Snap on would make an absurd margin on that.
zisenhart@reddit
It’s back ordered…
Wolf_Blitzers_Beard@reddit
You are comparing apples to oranges. The first internal combustion engine was invented almost 150 years ago, and society has spent a considerable amount of the time since pouring large amounts of capital and resources into refining the design of both the product and the manufacturing process to make it as economical as possible to mass produce.
Adjusted for inflation, the Model T would cost $24,000 today, and it had far fewer features, reliability, etc. vs the current electric vehicles, including the subject of this article.
Car-face@reddit
To be fair, the same could be said of the rechargeable electric battery - whose invention pre-dates the ICE by 7 years.
The electric carriage pre-dates the Benz Motorwagen by about 40 years, albeit with non-rechargeable batteries, and the first production EV launched a year prior to the Benz Motorwagen.
Baker sold electric vehicles for over a decade prior to the introduction of the Model T, and suffered from the same problem then as they have until recently: adjusted for inflation, the 1910 Baker Electric would have cost $90,000 today.
We've spent huge amounts of money trying to improve rechargeable batteries over the last ~2 centuries, it's just taken a lot longer to achieve enough breakthroughs that they're able to be competitive with the internal combustion engine.
hi_im_bored13@reddit
However, if this qualifies for the credit (which they are targeting - and any leased ev qualifies regardless), that effectively brings it down to 20k, negates the battery costs
Western_Lab4099@reddit
technically... leased EV's dont qualify. What qualifies are businesses. The captive lender just gives it back to you... in most cases.
Koil_ting@reddit
The credits are a good point, I'm sure that initial price deduction provides incentive for many people in the position to be looking at new vehicles.
YellowFogLights@reddit
It does make a difference that we’ve been building gas cars consistently in large numbers for over a century.
Koil_ting@reddit
It's always just been the battery tech keeping the electric motor vehicles from being pedestrian and heavy equipment use rather than like the fork lift guy or eccentric dudes city/drag car.
avoidhugeships@reddit
They are not really simple though. They have fewer moving parts but the battery chemistry is complex.
jasonfromearth1981@reddit
They're really not any more complex than a AA battery - they just use more exotic materials in order to achieve a higher energy density in a similar size package. I'm still going to say a modern ICE is more complex than an EV battery. More moving parts, more heat generated, variables like ignition timing, valve timing/duration, cylinder pressures, fuel metering/timing, exhaust gas monitoring, air metering, and then all the sensors that monitor and allows fine tuned adjustments of all those variables that change with temperature, load, altitude, etc.
An ICE is not just gas goes boom car goes zoom; It's insanely complex to get right in order to achieve even mediocre efficiency.
Koil_ting@reddit
Not to mention there is also the transmission connected to that ICE engine, and all the fluids. (Though it is notable the EVs do need cooling which is often overlooked because from what I've seen they route those in harder to get/replace areas than the traditional ICE vehicles)
rotorain@reddit
Yep. 7k for the components so the installed pack will probably cost close to 10k. Then they have the rest of the vehicle to build plus EPA/NHSTA/etc testing and certification, logistics, marketing, dealers/sales, admin overhead, and profit margin.
28k for any new vehicle in 2025 is pretty good let alone an electric pickup from a "startup".
psaux_grep@reddit
Batteries are expensive.
However… if you have cheap electricity and can charge at home you can easily pay more for an EV and still be better off than a significantly cheaper ICE car.
Depends on cost of the fuel alternatives, how much you drive, and the cost of financing (if relevant), and service and maintenance.
avoidhugeships@reddit
That is unlikely. Electricity costs have been going up across the country. We are nowhere near keeping up with demand.
JALbert@reddit
My state has cheap electricity and expensive gas. I'd view a good chunk of the cost of batteries as just prepaying for gas and other ICE operating costs up front when comparing the vehicles.
Confirmed_AM_EGINEER@reddit
Batteries are expensive to make, expensive to test, expensive to manufacture and expensive to keep safe.
The fact that it is only 10k is pretty remarkable.
Just remember, even a small 58kw/hr battery pack is sufficient to powered your average American home for 3-4 days.
pavlovedoncaffeine@reddit
KWh not kW/h. kWh is a measure of energy produced by battery over one hour at 1kW of power output.
kW per hour is nonsensical because Power (measured in kilowatts) is energy per time
Dexter942@reddit
Problem is all Batteries come from China, $10k with 245% tacked on.
The_Strom784@reddit
That 245% isn't going to last a week. He's already pulling back.
xt1nct@reddit
Yeah if he doesn’t US is cooked.
Mac-Tyson@reddit
Yeah part of the reason that Chinese EV’s are so cheap in addition to labor costs and government support is because from my understanding they own and control the entire process of making them so they are self sufficient with their supply chain and can reduce costs that way.
WarOnFlesh@reddit
Absolutely. I'm thinking about adding battery backup power to my house, and that's about the same amount of capacity as a normal EV (50kwh) and you would not believe how expensive that is.
even doing a DIY set up with 3.3V cells from china and no-name BMS components, it's going to be 10k minimum.
I can't imagine needing to source quality components and packaging to feel confident to put in a car that I would have to warranty. If they can do a 50kwh battery for $10k that is amazing. It's probably closer to $15k.
ranvocd@reddit
Yeah but even then are those add-ons only using proprietary standards/inserts/molds that you can only buy from them or do they use typical standards yaknow? Even with how modular it is I would not even be sure the safety features such as the proper amount of airbags can be easily implemented in things like the modular hutch they are selling...
UYellandICry@reddit
I agree 15k start point with so many add-on’s being sold a la carte would feel better, but I’m not familiar enough with the auto industry financials to know how much the electric vehicle components add to the overall production cost. I imagine it’s not insignificant. The Maverick was originally pitched as a 28k dollar truck iirc.
HostSea4267@reddit
28K with a 7.5K subsidy, so 20.5K. Thats 10K cheaper than a model 3
phatmatt593@reddit
It makes me feel like they knew it was worth <$20k and just added the extra 8k knowing the government will pay it so they can get the money. Instead of utilizing what the program was meant for.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
EXACTLY! I also had this thought but haven’t mentioned it yet. People need to stop looking at the cost after rebate. The cost of the vehicle is the cost.
lost-my-old-account@reddit
Yeah, I went to the store the other day, and one pizza was $10 and a similar one was $11, but it had a 3 dollar mail in rebate. So I bought the $10 pizza, because it was cheaper than the $8 pizza...
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Im very confused what your point is.
EliminateThePenny@reddit
You don't understand supply and demand.
Cucaracha899@reddit
True, 12K sounds way too cheap. 20k sounds just right
Dick_Nixon69@reddit
But that's exactly what the program was meant for. Invest in electrics and invest in making them here and we'll help recoup investment cost faster. It was always to incentivize the manufacturer, not the consumer.
phatmatt593@reddit
It’s the consumers that incentivize the manufactures. There’s no getting around that.
The idea is consumers would be more interested in electric cars by bringing the price of the cars down, not simply that manufacturers can tack it onto the price tag and consumers are paying what they’d be paying anyways. It doesn’t help get more electric cars on the road if the consumer is paying the same amount.
WeAreAllFooked@reddit
A $15k vehicle in 2025 would the equivalent of a $9,800 vehicle in 2005. $28k in 2025 is the equivalent of $18,200 in 2005.
That's just how inflation works.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I’m confused what your point is. A vehicle in 2005 at $18,200 wouldn’t be considered “cheap”. At all.
MCXL@reddit
Uh, yes it would have. A Honda Civic EX with pretty standard features was about 18k MSRP in 2005.
That's a cheap car. It's not cutthroat bottom barrel pricing or whatever, but definitely in the bottom market segment.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
This thing has nothing in it! Cut throat bottom barrel is the expectation.. and then you add on… I’m not sure what people aren’t understanding about that
MCXL@reddit
No, it's not. It has built-in Cruise control, automatic braking, pedestrian collision of windows, backup camera, air conditioning, etc. These are all things that would have been options on that super basic cheap ass Honda. Just because this thing defaults to crank windows and no stereo don't be so deceived. This thing still has a big chunk of tech in it.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Does it really??? This whole giant post and nobody has mentioned that?..: why the F would this thing have automatic braking, cruise control, pedestrian collision, etc etc that all seems to go completely agaisnt the philosophy of bare bones
MCXL@reddit
Because many of those are set to become requirements by regulators here and elsewhere. They also are mostly trivial to implement with an electric motor drive system
WeAreAllFooked@reddit
A vehicle in 2005 didn't have a $6,500 ($10k today) battery pack in it either. A basic ass civic cost $13k, the driveline in those cars didn't account for half of the MSRP like it does for the Slate
Crocs_n_Glocks@reddit
And that civic didn't have heated seats, a backup camera, gps/car play...and I'm sure a dozen different safety features
Windows-XP-Home-NEW@reddit
The Slate has none of those either except Safety
MCXL@reddit
The slate has a backup camera.
Erlend05@reddit
Thats a legal requirement in the US. Not sure why tbh
MCXL@reddit
Save babies
rsta223@reddit
For a new car? Yes, that absolutely was cheap. I bought a brand new 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Basic in the end of 06 for $19k, and that had a manual transmission, steel wheels, the baseline 170hp engine, cloth seats, no screen, no climate control, no stability control, no traction control, etc.
Yeah, you could spend even less on a bottom of the barrel Civic or Mirage, but even those were $15k or so. $18k was absolutely a cheap new car in the mid 2000s, and the "typical" new car at the time was likely more like $28-30k.
MCXL@reddit
Dealers didn't even bring in the true basic cars, essentially no one bought a civic without AC, manual windows, manual transmission, etc. Dealers would bring in like one car along those lines, and it would never move. A normal civic cost 1800+, essentially everyone bought an auto EX, with side airbags.
responds-with-tealc@reddit
yea, that was crazy cheap for a new car. the absolute cheapest new cars i remember from the were Hyundai's, and it was $11-14k cheapest. At one point they had some wild " $15k for two Elantras" deal though.
Lawreddits@reddit
Wasn’t that $15k for 2 Daewoos?
refuge9@reddit
For an EV, it absolutely would have been. That’s the main point, overall, it’s still an EV, and that’s going to come at a premium, no matter how stripped down it is. You can’t compare this to a more conventional stripped down ICE vehicle. Yes, $28,000 for a car is nuts, especially a stripped down one, but $28,000 for any EV is really cheap.
Though lack of an audio system is definitely surprising.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Yea. Yea I see that point. Maybe someone will copycat this idea with a gas vehicle
Aggravating_Math_623@reddit
Isn't the Maverick that?
It launched at like $20kf for the hybrid, and it was sold out for like 3 years straight.
refuge9@reddit
Honestly, we need something just like that. The does maverick is kind of in that idea range. ($23k starting, though that’s not barebones by the same standards here.
KeyboardGunner@reddit
The 2025 Maverick starts at $27k now.
Previous_Composer934@reddit
yea. it's called a used car
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Boo
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
I’m sorry but you guys really need to stop applying the inflation rate as a blanket measure for everything.
The inflation rate that we all know is an average of price increases across several different market sectors using the Consumer Price Index. The CPI includes food, housing, clothing, transportation, medical care, and so on. The CPI takes a weighted average of all of those items together.
The reason you can’t really just apply the generalized inflation rate to a particular item to justify its cost is because each market sector has a different rate of inflation. The rate of inflation for housing is not the same as the inflation rate for healthcare or the rate of inflation for vehicles. They’re all different.
Housing can have an inflation rate of 8% while transportation may only have an inflation rate of 1%. If you combine it with the other weighted averages that they look at, you can still come up with a 3% number.
Intro24@reddit
Finally someone calls out the basic "adjusted for inflation" nonsense. It's not a perfect conversion but so many take it as gospel.
upboats4memes@reddit
I agree CPI isn't necessarily the right thing to compare to - the driving factor of inflation is the printing of more money. When you increase the total amount of USD in circulation, each dollar is worth less. If you look at the M2 money supply, it has increased ~100% since 2013. CPI tries to track a basket of individual items, but the devaluation of the currency pushes everything up.
FourteenTwenty-Seven@reddit
You're just demonstrating how poorly M2 is as an explanation for inflation - in this case, it vastly oveelrpredicts what we measure. Which is entirely expected, because it's ignores the many other factors that contribute to inflation - such as, for example, the supply of goods.
You're essentially suggesting M=P, when even the most diehard monetarist would say MV=PQ.
upboats4memes@reddit
Sure there are other factors, but M2 is clearly the driving force. Here is the distribution of Median Home List Price Changes by County from 2016-07 to 2025-03, and here is the M2 indexed to the same date. M2 went up about 70%, and the home price increase distribution is centered around 70%. Would you call that a vast over-prediction? We don't see as much inflation in other goods because technology is a deflationary force that counters -some- of the inflation.
FourteenTwenty-Seven@reddit
I would call that blatant cherry picking. If you compare M2 to the average increase in prices in the stuff people buy, it over-predicts by double. You just cherry picked one of the items that's increased the most. And cherry picked a date range when they happen to match.
You clearly have an interest in economics, but unfortunately you're misstating an already outdated economic theory. I'd encourage you to look into this stuff a bit more thoroughly.
upboats4memes@reddit
Housing is one of people's largest budget items - usually 30%+ of their total income - and due to the difficulty in creating more, is a great index for the value of currency. I picked 2016 because that is as far back as my housing data goes.
Where do you think inflation comes from? You're telling me to do more research but you haven't made an argument for something better.
FourteenTwenty-Seven@reddit
The source of inflation is multifaceted, but at the very least you can start with PV=MQ as I stated before.
FourteenTwenty-Seven@reddit
This may sound like a nitpick, but this isn't quite right. Inflation specifically refers to the overall increase in prices in the economy as a whole. While you certainly can say that prices in certain sectors have increased faster or slower, it's not really right to call these individual sector changes 'inflation' in the broader sense (though the term is sometimes used as a bit of shorthand).
Additionally, comparing how the prices of things (in this case, cars) have changed relative to inflation is a really good way of doing things, because it does a great job of putting thing in the context of the overall economy.
However, you are right that invoking inflation isn't a great way to justify the cost of something - because costs are justified by the value they bring to the purchaser and the available competition.
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
Actually, inflation doesn’t specifically refer to the economy as a whole, that’s just typically how we apply the word. And it is based on weighted averages of each sector of the economy that a typical consumer might participate in.
But in order to satisfy your nitpick, instead of saying individual inflation rates, I’ll say that each sector has its own individual rate of price increases that factor in to the overall average inflation rate we talk about.
For example, the tariffs placed on foreign goods coming in to the U.S. That is going to make certain sectors of the economy have a higher rate of price increases than others. However, since inflation is an average, you may only see the overall inflation rate increase by just a little bit.
FourteenTwenty-Seven@reddit
You can talk about the price fluctuations happening in individual industries, and these do affect cpi to some extent. But inflation, as measured by CPI, is capturing a more general, underlying trend. It's like measuring the tide by averaging out the height of a bunch of boats in a bay. Each individual boat is bobbing up and down in the waves, but by averaging them out you capture an entirely separate phenomenon.
This is why it makes sense to take inflation into account when we talk about how prices have changed at longer time scales. By subtracting out that general trend we can see industry-specific trends - kinda like if we saw a particular boat's height wasn't increasing at the same rate as as the average, we might want to check for a leak.
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
Except you can’t unless you look at that particular industry. Which means you’d have to look at the price fluctuations for the entire car industry which also means you’d have to take into consideration the devaluation of foreign currency and other factors that also affect the pricing.
xxyer@reddit
A 2019 Nissan Micra S, similar specs only obviously ICE, went for $10488, equivalent to $12600 CAD, or $9000 USD today. So, a fair MSRP on a base SLATE w/ 1.6L 100hp I4 would be around $10k.
welcometothewierdkid@reddit
For reference, the cheapest US vehicle for sale in 2005 was the Chevrolet Aveo at $9,995 MSRP
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Which is half the price of the Slate when adjust for inflation
footpole@reddit
You can get a new car for under 16k in europe.
reidlos1624@reddit
The cheapest truck in 2005 looks to be the Colorado which was about $15k. At least compare like to like, and even then this is an EV which could lead to decent gas and repair costs saving, plus the EV incentive.
Zappiticas@reddit
And it had a radio!
Compy222@reddit
To this point in 2005 the average price of a new car was about $23k
SF_Bubbles_90@reddit
Inflation is just a a fancy way of saying prices went up. The money is still the same, we just get ripped off more and more. There is good video by howmoneyworks on YouTube about it.
Ansonm64@reddit
My parents bought a Chevy aveo in 2006 for 10k cad OTD and it had a radio and speakers
WeAreAllFooked@reddit
Your parents' Aveo didn't have a powertrain in that accounted for half the sale price
SUPREMACY_SAD_AI@reddit
how can inflation be real if time isn't real?
blainestang@reddit
$15k MSRP cars just don't exist, even when they're barebones crapboxes like Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa, etc.
After tax credit, this will be basically the cheapest car you can buy, new, but it's RWD, 201hp, super cheap to "fuel", etc.
If the tax credit goes away, yeah, that's a problem, and the 2 seats could be a deal-breaker, but $100 speakers and use your phone (which everyone says they LOVE when it's Carplay), not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
SelfServeSporstwash@reddit
I am honestly super on board with this decision tbh. If the infotainment system on another car breaks its a whole ordeal, with this solution you just... buy a new phone? Which you'd have to do anyway since its your phone. Speakers are a very easy thing to add yourself, so unless the oem volume control kit is outrageously priced this is great in my book. You are telling me I get an easily customized box that I can buy speakers of my choosing for without also paying for crappy oem speakers? Sign me up.
Now, I have a LOT of other gripes with the design, but the approach of making it super barebones and allowing a la carte or DIY upgrades is super appealing to me.
MCXL@reddit
like?
SelfServeSporstwash@reddit
The nose mostly, it’s a very stupid holdover from ICE trucks and they sacrificed a great deal of functionality and aerodynamic performance to keep it that large.
Based on the images we have seen and the measurements we do know that nose is at least 4 feet long, that’s almost a third of the total length dedicated to dead space. In an ICE vehicle that makes sense, the engine has to go somewhere, but here? That’s dumb as hell. Chop at least 2.5 feet off of that, pull the cab forward and that is still plenty of nose to keep your seating position rear of the front wheels, provide good aerodynamics, and provide a larger crumple zone than just about any ICE vehicle. Most ICE vehicles have less than a foot of actual crumple zone, the ford ranger has 9 inches of front crumple zone in that massive hood, the f150 has roughly 10, the suburban has an entire 13 inches. 4 feet of crumple zone is ludicrous.
Moving the cab forward 2.5 feet or more gives you at least 2.5 feet more bed space, which is a big fucking deal, that makes this dramatically more useful, and would have opened up a great deal more opportunities for customization.
MCXL@reddit
That's fair but looking right is part of making a good vehicle, as much as I appreciate kei trucks I think most Americans would likely find that too big of a departure, and indeed the design of the Cyber truck including its aggressive front slope is a common turn-off for people.
I actually haven't seen it covered what they're doing with that space in the front? Is it a front trunk, is it actually occupied by any sort of running gear like batteries or etc? I know that the press release talks about how the vehicles provisioned for a eventual four-wheel drive version and I would assume that takes up some of the space up front but not a lot.
SelfServeSporstwash@reddit
It’s empty space, they state it contains (or will contain) a frunk.
MCXL@reddit
I think you're overestimating how many cars that actually is in practice. 10,000 people a year importing a thing is essentially nothing in the grand scheme of things.
This company aims to make 150,000 of these a year.
SelfServeSporstwash@reddit
We are on pace for 28,000 kei trucks to come into Baltimore alone this year. Baltimore is. The 3rd busiest port for cars in the US. For context only 2500 came through Baltimore in 2024.
The demand is crazy high, and these are vehicles that by law must be at least 25 years old. The supply of them is very limited.
SelfServeSporstwash@reddit
Also, the cyber truck had a waiting list for a while. The reasons it’s not selling are many, but they have little to do with aesthetics.
It’s not selling because
1: it costs $100k
2: it’s crazy unreliable, which is actually hard to accomplish with an EV
3: they keep (literally) falling apart on the road
4: Elon musk has done probably irreparable harm to the company’s reputation
And 5: the truck just doesn’t do most of the things it was supposed to be able to do. A light rainstorm can brick it, it’s fragile, its bed isn’t waterproof, its doors don’t open in crisis situations. In short, it’s not a vehicle you can rely on.
That’s why it’s not selling. It has nothing to do with it having a short nose. The short nose providing a big cabin in a smaller footprint actually generated a TON of positive attention for it initially. It’s not selling because it’s poorly made and the brand is toxic now.
Practical-East9211@reddit
16$ amazon bluetooth speaker. Call it a day
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I absolutely believe you are correct…. I guess I’m just sad a 15k vehicle, bare bones, doesn’t exist
K2TheM@reddit
It did. It was the Mitsubishi Mirage.
And it was killed for lack of sales.
Crying shame, because it's a solid car.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I drove a mirage for 4 years. I liked that car. It was solid…. But this is very different. I think people will absolutely add on a whole bunch of crap. That’s the whole point of the thing. But if the base is 15k, then you can go crazy adding stuff on and the vehicle will be 25k or whatever. Or, I’m 100% sure people would just keep it base for super cheap. The after market customization isn’t whole point
Elisalsa24@reddit
Nissan Versa starts at 17k
uber_neutrino@reddit
Amazing, I paid $13750 out the door including tax for ours 8 years ago.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly! Thanks… so that means a bare bones vehicle can absolutely be 15k. And then we can add on from there.
Elisalsa24@reddit
It can but most people don’t want something that comes with nothing. It’s also hard for poorer people to own EVs because they still have to go and charge it for 20 minutes and take time out of their commute. If you don’t own a home it’s hard to justify buying an EV. The EV market currently as is primarily targets people that have homes. The whole thing of nothing having to get gas only exists if you have somewhere to charge it overnight. You can just go get gas and spend such a small amount of time compared to an EV getting gas.
aprtur@reddit
Move to Japan...lol. You can get a bare bones Toyota Probox hybrid for $13k, and a standard non-hybrid for ~$10k.
opeth10657@reddit
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/41f86b2c-39ca-4d83-a648-848db61e0d62/
MSRP isn't $15k, but the car price is.
Elisalsa24@reddit
For that price you can just get a hybrid civic that comes with everything
blainestang@reddit
For "$28k" which is a meaningless number because no one is going to pay that much.
If this thing is going to exist, it's going to get the $7500 tax credit (and therefore be \~$20k).
$20k gets you stripped-down crapboxes in the NEW car market in the US.
Fit_Equivalent3610@reddit
A Versa starts at $17k, has room for 4 adults, and standard features include power locks and windows, auto door locks, LED headlights, a whole suite of safety features, an "okay" infotainment system with a 7" touch screen, steering wheel audio controls, bluetooth, 3 USB ports, Siri/Google Assist, etc. For $20k you can get a Versa SV with Carplay/Android Auto and some other upgrades.
This truck is way more of a stripped down crapbox than either of those.
blainestang@reddit
A Versa for $17k is manual, so that’s the ultimate in stripped down because most people in the US can’t even use it (even though I personally like manuals).
Auto Versa starts at $20k.
So, they’re both stripped down crapboxes for $20k, and it depends what you want in a vehicle which one is more “stripped down”.
I and everyone else already own a phone, so a small screen that just mirrors my phone is not a big selling point for the Nissan. The truck also has USB ports and such, so that’s not a win for the Nissan.
The question is: do you want 4 doors, FWD, and 122hp, or do you want a 2-door pickup, RWD, and 201hp?
It’s personal preference, but my point stands: you can’t get a Civic Hybrid or anything remotely that nice for the base price of this truck, and anything for $20k is going to be very stripped down.
TheThunderbird@reddit
The Versa also doesn't actually cost $17k because there's a mandatory s $1200 "Shipping & Handling" fee tacked on top of the $17,190 MSRP.
MCXL@reddit
And it's cost per mile is going to be way higher.
People are acting like bots in this thread. If they can deliver at this price point they will absolutely be booked solid.
Carl-99999@reddit
You couldn’t make an EV version of the Versa at that price.
You have to understand it is FUCKING ILLEGAL to make a truck the Slate’s size powered by any real car engine. You’d have to make some ridiculous shit like a nitromethane 50cc engine.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly! Agreed. Exactly my point
the_lamou@reddit
You should probably stop complaining on Reddit and get to building that time machine, then, because you're not getting a $15k car in the US any time in the last decade. Actually, probably at least two or three decades, if you adjust for inflation.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Nissan versa is 17k
the_lamou@reddit
Which, unless I suddenly forgot how to count, is higher than $15k. Also, I would rather take a car with no heating/AC and a hole in the floorpan so I can Feed Flinstone it.
txmail@reddit
Start at 15k and have a 2 or 3 cylinder diesel or 4 cyl NA gas engine...
confusedham@reddit
Don't forget what manufacturers cut in the name of mass production savings.
Things that make people go WTF, why would you bother, but over hundreds of thousands of cars it makes a large difference.
Kei trucks in basic form have the right idea, and it's a single din headunit that has a speaker inbuilt. Otherwise give me a spot to mount a Bluetooth speaker haha
Ham_Damnit@reddit
A $28K electric car that will be worth $10 after 10,000 miles.
Carl-99999@reddit
It doesn’t work like that.
mkmckinley@reddit
Gonna have to go back in time to roughly 2005 to find a new car for $15k
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Nissan versa is 17k right now. And it’s not bare bones
lunarc@reddit
I’m sure their theory is, let the aftermarket handle that stuff
AwardImmediate720@reddit
A single din head unit and a pair of cheap Pioneers are like $200 retail, so probably $50 for OEM. Add $5 in wiring and you're done.
Snazzy21@reddit
You have to remember that Slate is a startup company, part suppliers don't give them as favorable a deal as they do to large established companies. The parts business is built on trust and economies of scale, of which Slate has none.
If the bZ4x flops, the suppliers can be assured that Toyota wont disappear and they'll still get paid. To a part supplier Slate is risky, you want more money up front, and because it's a new company it might not sell in large scale where bulk discounts can come in.
iconfuseyou@reddit
It sounds like it will be modular to add those things on. A carplay headunit runs like $400 at retail now (cheaper if you really shop around). A set of speakers are like $100-200. For $500, I'd rather be able to pick my own parts instead of being tied into a manufacturer's. As long as the interior is modular all of those things are relatively easy to backfit.
The biggest letdown here is the powertrain. Very anemic single motor and no option for a second motor as far as I can tell.
sudo_su_88@reddit
Compared to a 100 hp old hilux truck with an 22r, it's fine for most folks. I love the Maker ethos they embrace to allow folks to diy and customize the truck. I have two Tacomas and one is 25 yrs old. I love my little truck, but I wish the safety tech is better. I put down my deposit and hope this EV takes off. Some of us truck people really want a small truck.
mjrubs@reddit
The configurator has a few different options for speakers -- your typical "hidden" car speakers, a removable bluetooth tube speaker on the center console, or just a rack on the center console to fit your own bluetooth tube speaker (like those JBL things)
I figured the whole idea of no HU/ICE was that so many people just use Android Auto or CarPlay these days, why bother developing hardware and software? Save a little bit of money and just make it play nice with phones and tablets.
MCXL@reddit
200hp in a small vehicle seems like plenty to me. RWD only does make me a little sad though, but this is also a minimum viable product. The Teslas didn't start out with awd or anything like that. In fact, hasn't every new model from tesla started as RWD only for initial rollout?
BudgetHelper@reddit
They know people will order them from aMaZoN
nicetac@reddit
Everything will be a micro transaction or subscription as a service. Just as Bezos intended.
Intro24@reddit
Disagree, their whole philosophy is to not do that stuff. Don't force people to have a radio if they don't want it, plus save cost in the process. People who do want it can add it back when ordering or whenever they want. Will be interesting to see the extent to which Slate allows 3rd party things like speakers though.
Ender06@reddit
Give me:
I'd be fine with that. I always use my phone for music anyways,
BuckManscape@reddit
It’s dumb. You need Bluetooth, stereo, and ac/heat. That’s it.
Maddog2201@reddit
Everyone carry's a tablet in their pocket these days, all it really needs is a USB C port and an amplifier and you could use your phone for literally everything.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
If you go into the personalization pages, you can add in-dash speakers and bluetooth steering wheel controls. Meant to use your phone as the source unit.
specialcommenter@reddit
I don’t even need speakers. I just need 6.34” openings on the doors and a double din opening with pre-wiring in the dash.
maxstuntmin@reddit
Funny enough, if they designed a replacement dash with a single/dual din slot as well as the door cards w/ standard speaker inserts - that would solve so many of the current headaches everyone seems to have. The price is still meh but having the options would help
valsalva_manoeuvre@reddit
I've read about basic city cars being sold with a space to put a Bluetooth speaker instead of having a radio. Is that such a bad idea? I mean honestly, so many people have these speakers, just like a smart phone. Too much to expect to take it with you when you get in the car? Yeah, it's a choice you'd have to make, just like me choosing to say I think calling it criminal is nonsensical.
RKRagan@reddit
Yeah. You're not saving any real money here. If I am paying you almost 30K I can get some speakers. Just let me dock my phone. It's stripping down for the sake of stripping down. It's 2025, speakers are common and cheap.
cantstandmyownfeed@reddit
I imagine there are no more off the shelf, OEM level, single din radios being produced, so that would require additional development and cost.
Although, I wonder how they're doing the backup camera, those are mandatory. Must be in the rear view mirror.
Mustang1718@reddit
They make them. And they cost retailers less than $85 to make. We used to throw them away because labor charge for repair was more than what it cost to buy a new one.
aprtur@reddit
JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony and Alpine all still sell single DIN radios. If Lotus can throw one of those in an Elise when they were new, Slate could throw one in their truck.
cantstandmyownfeed@reddit
Not talking about aftermarket options, that's a different product. JVC's not supplying OEM single din radios to auto manufacturers anymore, nor are any others. There's no market for it, no one is going to develop one for it. If you want to argue that Slate should have put in a provision to hold an aftermarket DIN sized radio you could self install, then maybe, but even then, that's such a niche feature within a niche product, I'm sure the bean counters would have nixed it too. Its not just the place to put it.
Someone will develop some bluetooth speakers that mount somewhere in the cab that are self contained. That's a much cheaper and easier option.
AwesomeBantha@reddit
Fine, go double DIN, I’m not sure it would be much more expensive than single DIN - lots of cheap cars still have extremely cheap double DINs. I was in a brand new 2024 GMC Savana U-Haul that had the OEM double din with no touchscreen, Bluetooth, USB, or anything. The vehicle had a sticker identifying the aux input as a feature. I’m sure they’re dirt cheap.
aprtur@reddit
There are still service trim vehicles that use single DIN radios, although I believe they're all outside of the US. Even if Slate decided to source them from one of the Japanese radio OEMs, a batch order at discounted pricing would've been pennies on the dollar. I don't think making it work was their issue - their design prerogative was just to get rid of everything that wasn't strictly necessary in the interior.
Bamas16th@reddit
Don't forget Boats, Side by Sides, RVs, etc... a lot of single DINs still being used.
brucecaboose@reddit
It’s in the dash, it switches to a rear view when backing up
scottroid@reddit
You've never worked construction. It's called a cell phone and a Bluetooth speaker on the dash
solo118@reddit
If you think about it just put some speakers, and just have USB plugs to handle the music through your phone
tom_yum@reddit
Just plug an amazon echo into the cigarette lighter. But for real this thing should be 10k, not 24.
KeyboardGunner@reddit
It's literally impossible for the vehicle to be made in America for $10k. The battery pack alone is going to be nearly that much.
tom_yum@reddit
They should make a version with the engine from a side by side.
Compy222@reddit
It’ll be a low dollar option I’m sure. A good reminder the NA Miata had AC as an option, let alone other basics like power steering. We’ve become accustomed to a lot of standard content these days!
a_modal_citizen@reddit
Lots of cars used to have those things as options... It wasn't uncommon at all.
kon---@reddit
No stereo is a safety feature and so much nicer than the bother or expense of finding something to listen to.
Embrace air and tire noise plus the ability to hear what's going on around you.
c_d-a@reddit
Have been watching a ton of videos on this vehicle over the past few days as it's been an intriguing vehicle to me. Someone said they overheard the extended milage would be $3k and up and the SUV top options would be $5k and up. So without incentives would be pricing up to $35k+. Hope these incentives last when this vehicle gets released.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
And that’s with basically nothing else in it. No custom wrap, no speakers, no radio, etc etc
vantafanta@reddit
People still don’t realize that even today after all these years, a lithium-ion battery costs about four times more to manufacture than a typical 4 or 6 cylinder engine.
theabstractpyro@reddit
yeah, I would have loved a 4 cylinder or turbo 4 version that was cheaper. or a plug in hybrid for the same price would be epic
mildlyarrousedly@reddit
Why don’t they make a non electric - I would rather by one with a standard engine or hybrid than full electric
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Ok yea, I definitely see that point. Im curious if this will inspire another company to do the same thing but with a gas engine. And it’ll be actually cheap
CheapTemporary5551@reddit
Maverick. Although sadly it doesn't start at 20k anymore.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
No. I mean absolute bare bones truck for like 15k. It’s gotta be do-able with ICE. Then people can add on and customize from there. Maverick is a fun truck and is relatively cheap, but it’s not the same philosophy as Slate
CheapTemporary5551@reddit
It's arguably a better philosophy than Slate. When it released for 20k it was nearly better than Slate in every metric. Barebones, but not in an absurd way.
15k seem like an impossibility in the current market conditions.
Straight6er@reddit
Toyota did with the Hilux Champ. Starts at roughly $12k USD but isn't available in North America.
Carl-99999@reddit
Unless you want to swear your life on it that you wouldn’t complain that it’s slow and heavy…
Straight6er@reddit
I mean, one of my vehicles is a 32 Y/O Toyota wagon, I'm used to slow. I don't want a Hilux Champ tho.
HerefortheTuna@reddit
I’d love one. Was at Toyota today getting parts for my 1990 4Runner and all the new suvs they have started at 60k
s1a1om@reddit
And a Corolla starts at $25k. What’s your point?
HerefortheTuna@reddit
That new cars are crazy priced. I still can’t believe my GR86 was only 28k when I got it 3 years ago
Straight6er@reddit
The last new car I bought was a nicely equipped '19 Golf for about the same amount. Since they don't sell the regular golf anymore I'd have to spend about 40k to get a similar car. (CAD)
specialcommenter@reddit
That thing rides too rough
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Yup! Exactly. They couldn’t get a vehicle completely bare bones for 15k? I’m not buying that
Peterpiperpickedapec@reddit
Not with the pants on head stupid regulations we have, they can't. C.A.F.E. ensures that any pickup this size has to be electric which is just far more expensive than an ICE and all the BS nanny aids that are now mandatory add to the cost too. The battery alone probably costs twice as much as a 22re and a 5spd
Bamas16th@reddit
Is that spoken from experience as someone who has designed vehicles from the ground up and brought them to market?
Carl-99999@reddit
circlejerking redditor.
Carl-99999@reddit
It does not have American safety regulations. It is made for Southeast Asia.
teamdragonite@reddit
now that will sell like hot cakes even at $25k
piddydb@reddit
Problem is CAFE standards make it close to impossible to build a small truck without it being an EV. They can probably build a Chevy S10/true Ford Ranger like truck for $20k for pretty basic means and sell them if regulations allowed them but they don’t really as written.
Intro24@reddit
Plus no incentives so what you're proposing would actually end up being more expensive
Abba_Fiskbullar@reddit
Cafe standards make small ICE vehicles unreasonably expensive since they'll require a hybrid, which is why there are hardly any available.
Life_Menu_4094@reddit
Yes. They stripped down a US-made electric vehicle to basically nothing and got it to cost 28k. That's an impressive feat.
sudo_su_88@reddit
They cannot make a gas version, bc of EPA standards. That's why trucks got bigger. Smaller trucks like the Maverick is a hybrid or Slate's EV are exempt.
xstreamReddit@reddit
More like 20 times more actually.
MajesticBread9147@reddit
But presumably less in R&D right?
It's not too complex to make a battery in a somewhat unique shape at scale when every cell phone has been doing that for years.
Electric motors predate ICE by decades.
As opposed to new powertrains where you need to figure out the most power/fuel efficient way to make an engine cheaply, without it blowing up and ruining your brand image, and pair that with a transmission that will both be an efficient pairing with that engine, and similarly not blown up.
There's a good reason the amount of unique car brands exploded after electric vehicles became somewhat affordable, but what few small car makers existed either targeted extreme upmarket (koenigsegg) or used engines from larger manufacturers (Lotus, Morgan).
lokglacier@reddit
That's...not true at all? Costs about the same
ggtsu_00@reddit
That's for the most part due to manufacturing volume. If auto manufacturers were to produce and sell as many EVs as ICEs, the cost per battery would go down.
Tax__Player@reddit
If my grandmother had wheels she would have been a bicycle.
Practical-East9211@reddit
I think that they should offer a small 4 banger along with the electric option
AmericanExcellence@reddit
it's really absurd that media are pretending this is a "bare bones vehicle". it's an EV. by definition not bare-bones. if you want this truck, but actually this truck, get an old mazda B2000
Snoo93079@reddit
It's not are bones because it uses a battery and motors increase of a gas tank and internal combustion engine?
Teledildonic@reddit
If anything batteries and a motor are more barebones than a clockwork setup of explosion-driven gears and shafts.
austinzone813@reddit
it is absolutely barebones. it is the definition of it.
Drzhivago138@reddit
How so? Usually when people say "bare bones," they're referring to the amount of options and creature comforts, not the drivetrain, and this is definitely scant on those.
TunakTun633@reddit
I really wish the people behind this truck were willing to cheap out on battery chemistry (ie sodium-ion).
PontiacMotorCompany@reddit
For a an Initial low volume launch that price is incredible. If they can manage to Scale with quality intact it could be a hit.
Given the Bezos backing they’re probably selling at a loss initially
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
You think that’s a good price for what you get with the base model?
BearGetsYou@reddit
I just want a small truck, if it’s electric so be it. Crank windows - I still have them in my old 93 dakota. No radio- check. Basically for me this is just a swap to something shorter. It has more features with temp control.
Would I prefer an old ranger or a clone using an ICE with all new components? Yes. That same slow little truck just new seals and whatnot, but that’s not an option.
RevvCats@reddit
Presuming the tax rebate still exists adjusting for inflation this will almost be spot on with the base price of a 1994 Chevy S-10. Capabilities seem pretty similar and those were fantastic little trucks.
Realpotato76@reddit
A Chevy S10 was wayyy more capable than this truck though. Longer bed and 600% higher towing capacity
RevvCats@reddit
But how often are most people actually towing? I grew up with my dad driving compact Toyota and Chevy pickups and he worked in construction. When you have a reasonably sized bed that’s not some dinky 4’ thing you just toss all your junk there and those beds can hold a lot of stuff.
Calgrei@reddit
Yeah but 94 S10s came with a radio and speakers lol
Carl-99999@reddit
They had engines.
Hohenh3im@reddit
And what do you call the thing that powers this?
RevvCats@reddit
I did some digging, AM radios were standard and you had to pay extra for FM or a cassette player.
jib661@reddit
isn't there an inherent long-term savings with electric vehicles because you pay much less for fuel? Gas is almost $5 a gallon where i live. The amount I save in gas driving an electric vehicle would pay for a radio and speakers in like 2 months
Dnlx5@reddit
Dude have you bought anything in the last 10 years? That is incredible value. Think about the engineering time, factory build, salalries, health insurance, cars destroyed in testing...the batteries, you have to dig up the lithium, transport it across the world chemically and mechanically clean it, build the battery... So much
Then think how much it costs to buy a bicycle or 4...
austinzone813@reddit
The hybrid maverick for $20k was an incredible value.
So is the current Chevy Trax.
architype@reddit
I thought hybrid Mavericks were closer to $28K?
SigmaBallsLol@reddit
20k for launch of 2022 model
though I have a hard time believe they weren't taking a loss on them, and they're 28k now.
Dr_Disaster@reddit
They are. They went up in price quite a bit.
Dr_Disaster@reddit
Yes, he just called out why.
In auto manufacturing scale is EVERYTHING. For Slate to be new an fairly low volume, being under $30k is impressive. They don’t have the volume or supply chain of a big automaker that can drive costs down.
Thee_Sinner@reddit
The lack of feature is a feature to me. I have been looking at going for a 70/80s, no frills, small pickup, but this fills that roll and comes with modern safety standards.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Sure!…. But 28k is crazy for the no features feature
Personal_Economy_536@reddit
You have to realize it’s never gonna be as cheap as a car from a big company because big companies are buying millions of dollars of parts at a time and getting big discounts. Your average small car company can never compete.
Carl-99999@reddit
What would be, since you’ve made electric trucks?
markeydarkey2@reddit
An established player like GM or Tesla could give you more for the same money but for a startup in North America starting from scratch, yeah kinda.
Conscious-Food-9828@reddit
I mean, if we factor in inflation it's not all that farfetched. I saw a post showing a 1995 Tacoma that was 22k in 95', which would be around 45k today. Sure, it had more features for it's day than this base model vehicle, but that's a significant price increase. On top of that, an electric truck is going to be cheaper to operate as well.
We complain about prices all the time nowadays, and for good reason, but surprisingly, cars/trucks are on of the few consumer goods that actually make sense price wise when accounting for inflation. Our wages on the other hand...
aDturlapati@reddit
it’s anything but incredible. it’s exactly what i would expect it to cost considering battery tech.
sl0wjim@reddit
Firmly disagree.
Banana_Leclerc12@reddit
A renault 5 in europe costs 25k euros, and it is a fully featured car, no reason for this to cost this much while being this stripped down
CloudsTasteGeometric@reddit
Sorry to say but $28K is CHEAP in 2025.
The cheap $19K hatches people praised in 2015 would MSRP at $27K today, adjusted for inflation.
Wages aren't keeping pace with the cost of ANYTHING unless you're comfortably middle class or above, which is where so many people struggle and where conflict arises. I hate it. But the problem isn't price tags so much as it is pay.
That said, even at $28K, no radio or speakers is ridiculous.
NotoriousCFR@reddit
Not buying this argument. Plenty of better-equipped cars are cheaper than that. The Nissan Sentra starts at $21k, Subaru Impreza starts at $23k (with standard AWD), the Chevy Trax at $20.5k and the Trailblazer at $23k, the Hyundai Venue starts at just over $20k. And that's just off the top of my head. The Maverick XL just barely undercuts it (starting at $27k) even after a couple years of significant price hikes. These aren't the most exciting cars in the world but at least you get like, power windows and a radio. Trying to make the case that a vehicle that has the creature comforts of a Super Beetle can and should cost 20% more than a Subaru Impreza is absurd.
zebutto@reddit
Not one of those is an EV. The cheapest EV (in the US) is the Nissan Leaf, which starts at $29k. Not to mention the $7,500 credit, as long as that's still available.
couldbemage@reddit
30k price announced for the new Chevy bolt coming this year.
More than twice the range.
All the normal stuff that comes on cars.
The slate, equipped with the basics that no car actually gets sold without, is more expensive than the bolt.
Did I mention more than twice the range?
Literally the first thing people looking at EVs ask about?
zebutto@reddit
The Bolt will likely be a great car and sell well. But the Slate is a totally different thing, in form factor, styling, and customizability. The range will improve as the company matures. And it will start $2k under the Bolt (not sure on accessory pricing). Even if it's the SECOND cheapest EV in the country, God forbid, there's plenty of differentiation. Not to mention a growing demand for simplification (like the dumbphone market). It doesn't have to be the #1 best or #1 cheapest to sell a ton of units.
Own_Hat2959@reddit
I mean, the Bolt EUV basically shits all over the Leaf, and costs less. Ok, it is technically out of production now, but a new model will be here by EOY 2025.
zebutto@reddit
The Bolt EUV started around $28k for 2023, so the new one is expected to start at $30k+. But wherever the price ends up, Slate is offering something totally unique, and people will pay extra for that.
PaulTheMerc@reddit
The hybrid Maverick is 28k. Though the battery is...50x larger in the slate?
identifyme614@reddit
It’s $28K now we have no clue how much it’s going to be when the Slate releases as they keep increasing the price of the Maverick.
Ecsta@reddit
It's seriously so frustrating people are comparing this to ICE vehicles.
At the very least compare it to used EV's or ICE trucks since that's going to be its main competition.
Mimical@reddit
This is a key point here.
This potentially opens the door to other manufacturers seeing this gap and pushing to it as well. I would hope that anyone who orders one gets a viable product that works for them.
CloudsTasteGeometric@reddit
Plenty of better-equipped CARs, sure.
What about better equipped TRUCKS or EVs?
The fact that it can price match a Maverick XL while still being a full blown EV with solid range is kind of insane. ICE engines are still orders of magnitude cheaper to produce than batteries.'
Its unfair to compare these to ICE subcompacts or midsized trucks.
couldbemage@reddit
The only thing this has on a Chevy bolt is being truck shaped.
It really can't do truck truck stuff.
As a truck, it's way behind the maverick.
As an EV it's crap compared to a bolt.
So the market is people that must have an EV, and must have a truck, but don't want to tow, carry big stuff, and don't care about range.
CloudsTasteGeometric@reddit
It would work as an errand runner like the old Ford Courier or base model S10s.
Nobody in their right mind would look at a Slate and think "I'm gonna use this to tow a boat." It isn't an off roader or a tower or a work truck (beyond the realm of gardeners and electricians.)
And that's ok. Especially for $28K.
The bed itself offers the illusion of practicality that most hatchbacks (seemingly) lack. And that's what really matters.
But at the end of the day it's a neat little "lifestyle" vehicle that will likely flourish in a market full of buyers starved to buy a vehicle that has:
True truck people won't buy the Slate and they don't need to for it to be a success. How many people buy new Jeep Wranglers having never ridden a trail? Tons. The Slate fills a similar niche - complete with endless customizability - and is a LOT cheaper.
It's biggest obstacle is it's lack of and ICE engine in a country that still hasn't built out enough charging stations. I'm much more worried about that than it's lack of towing or hauling capacity.
WeeniePops@reddit
I don't think it's egregious, I just think they're trying a little too hard to be stripped down. Even the most basic vehicles come with a stereo and power windows these days. This is like a weird amalgamation of modern and stone age automotive tech lol. I don't need to have power massaging heated seats and a car that parks itself, but I will also never purchase a car without power locks and windows ever again. Those things I feel like a given in even the cheapest modern car these days. I bought a Chevy Cobalt brand new all the way back 2010 and even then I was shocked they still had crank windows and manual locks. Needless to say, I hated that car and never want to relive that driving experience ever again lol.
CloudsTasteGeometric@reddit
Interesting - I half agree.
When I think about everyday driving I know I'd miss a proper stereo (even a cheapo one) WAY more than power locks/windows.
Then again, I grew up riding/driving cars with windy windows and manual locks.
WeeniePops@reddit
Yes, I did too. My first 3 cars for about the first 15 years of driving had crank windows and manual locks. I didn't mind it in my very first car because it was a vintage 1980 Camaro and that was kind of part of the charm, but when I had a new 2006 Colorado and new 2010 Cobalt with the same features it just made things inconvenient and frankly kind of embarrassing. I first off have to ask my passenger to lock their door when exiting the vehicle (to which they're like wtf), and if I forget, which I often did, then I'd just have an unlocked car for the rest of the day. Thankfully no one ever wanted to break into my POS cars though lol.
Also, inevitably when I got pulled over by cops for some reason they would always decide to address me from the passenger side. So that was always fun trying to yell at them through a closed window that I couldn't roll it down or had to look like I was reaching for a weapon to get to it lol.
I have also only ever locked my keys in manual lock cars, for obvious reasons. All my keyless vehicles have had push button start, which means my keys never come out of my pocket and never get forgotten in the car as I lock it from muscle memory. I can do without power or heated or massaging seats. Or power mirrors. Or 360 degree cameras. Or adaptive cruise. But power locks and windows are more than just a convenience imo. They significantly reduce bad things happening, but more importantly than that, they've been around for so long and the tech is so cheap there's no good reason for a manufacturer to exclude them. The cost to the manufacturer is probably like $100-200 per vehicle if that. It's not a massive cost cutting measure that will significantly reduce the vehicle sale price. Might as well just throw it in and stay competitive with basically every other base vehicle out there.
PaulTheMerc@reddit
I'd be a lot more for it if it could seat 5 like the maverick.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
If you go on their page and go through the personalization menus, it offers the option to add one of two SUV kits on these. If you select the SUV kits, in the preview window you can see back seats.
CloudsTasteGeometric@reddit
I disagree - that's shoot the price up and make the bed even shorter.
It's a work truck that's priced low enough to work as a second vehicle.
Not everything needs to be a family hauler.
Intro24@reddit
Allow me to introduce you to the 1993 Ford Taurus.
blainestang@reddit
$28k is a meaningless number specifically chosen by Slate so that it is competitively priced at $20k after tax credit. They are assuming they'll have the tax credit, so they're pricing it accordingly.
They picked $20k, and backed into the "MSRP".
No, it's not a great deal at the meaningless MSRP. Yes, it's very competitive at $20k which gets you almost nothing in the new car market.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
You said it better than I did. Completely agree
Larcya@reddit
Nah the problem is absolutely the price tags. Back when I rented an apartment in Minneapolis, Minnesota I lived in a 1 bedroom(this was 2020, not 1980) that cost me $800 a month. That same unit last I checked(around this January) is now going for $1800 a month. No updates have been done. It's the same unit.
Price tags are absolutely the problem. Wages have actually been keeping up far better than they previously were. It's just that people are being squeezed in every single direction that it doesn't feel like they have.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
Shithole apartments in minneapolis are not what we use as a metric for any kind of wage comparison. What grown ups use for this is called the CPI.
Larcya@reddit
CPI is a well known terrible metric.
Secksualinnuendo@reddit
I know comparing used vs new isn't fair. BUT if someone wanted an electric truck with more features and towing etc, used F150 lightnings can be had for $30k to $35k.
PorkedPatriot@reddit
I think I actually like this thing, but I'm interested in the cost of speakers. If you can just slap a quick kit in there for a c note, I'd forgive it under the guise of customization.
If I can slobber all over a Porsche, even tho the base option of some of those models also are missing a radio, I'll not immediately dismiss this thing.
sirconandoyle14@reddit
What’s crazy is people are forgetting the same customization options can be had for any other vehicle in the world. Same concept. For the money, you can add/change anything you want to any car lol.
Want your white Toyota Corolla to be red? Pay to get it wrapped.
Want a new head unit for premium audio? Pay to get it taken care of?
Want new wheels? Pay for em. lol
couldbemage@reddit
But it can be wrapped! No other car has ever had that option!
Wait. No.
Every car can be wrapped.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Yup! Exactly
neverfakemaplesyrup@reddit
I think if its a startup, it might be that they're lacking the economies of scale and lets be honest, connections that enable dirt cheap production & distribution. Like toyota sells a $15k truck in the developing market, but they have a global supply chain to use
burnedsmores@reddit
Yeah people need to just sit down and do the math here:
You arrive a few decimals short of $20k very quickly. Now they'll be making a lot of fat off the $7500 tax credit and launch options for a little while, but it's not like that $20k line in the sand has a lot of wiggle room unless you build this in India
couldbemage@reddit
People understand that. That's why you have all the people thinking it will fail.
barf26@reddit
and an important reminder than in order to qualify for the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, they can’t build it in India. The new vehicle credit only applies to vehicles assembled in North America.
Drauren@reddit
ITT: A lot of people underestimate how hard and expensive it is to design and manufacture a car basically from scratch.
turbo-cunt@reddit
Design and manufacture and test and certify and market and distribute and service and...
I work in the industry, it is a herculean effort to get these things on the road. Way more man hours go into it than any other single thing a normal human would likely own
cocainebane@reddit
I almost took a job at Fisker and didn’t see it sustainable.
Intro24@reddit
Not to mention R&D like $100,000,000+ for their first product
Ecsta@reddit
You forgot all the safety related equipment. Airbags are expensive as fuck and then there's the radar for AEB. Additionally safety certifications and crash testing isn't free.
It's ridiculously easy to get to 28k. Honestly this vehicle is cheap for a BEV and I'd be shocked if they were able to actually release it at this price. I hope the tariffs are gone and it's available in Canada.
neverfakemaplesyrup@reddit
Oh man that's a greater point. Someone else pointed out kei trucks & utvs. Neither kei trucks or UTVs have safety features.
I think they should be legalized in many areas and we need to reduce the insane driving of Americans (The amount of unlicensed, uninsured, ratchet drivers is nuts), but I'm not going to argue with NYS when they point out they're as risky as a motorcycle. instead I'd argue well, we allow motorcycles...
elon_free_hk@reddit
Even with your breakdown, that's a stretch.
Assuming 100 engineers/development head count, costing the company $120k/year per head. That's already 12 million dollar of burn rate a year just on headcount cost excluding development and other cost. The $5k you listed for engineering + assembly + certifying etc are very aggressive. That would still require this company to sell 2400 of them to to reach $5k a unit. This is also just 1 year of burn and not to mention the other 3 points you made are also aggressive.
I am actually not too optimistic on this vehicle achieving a cost of under $28k, even if it sells at $28k it might be a loss until their next model. Vehicle development is extremely expensive. Every little thing cost shit ton of money to beg a supplier to work with you, not to mention engineer/designer/fabricator are hella expensive too.
College_Prestige@reddit
Ultimately it's not the customers responsibility to buy a product solely to prop up a startup. If a customer sees a product from an established company that provides more bang from buck they're just going to do that
fufu0306@reddit
Friendly reminder: a brand new 2024 Tesla Model 3 starts at just $35k before any incentives or rebates. For about $7k more, you can get a significantly better car.
phxees@reddit
$7k more is $150 more a month. For a lot of people considering a new ca, $7 at that price.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly. It makes no sense
The_Frey_1@reddit
A simple screen with CarPlay/android auto would make a lot of sense here
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
What is better than literally just using your phone in the dash mount?
die9991@reddit
A small built in bluetooth speaker or at the very least a basic sound system. I mean you can also just bolt that on no big deal ngl.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
They come with bluetooth speaker mounts built into the dash.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
That would go against the entire philosophy though…. Besides, I’m sure you can add that on
Gab729@reddit
I think if they dont want to put a radio its fine, but at least having the support for a single/ double din radio with speaker support in the door so we can install ourself aftermarket one, I would gladly put one of the awsome Sony double din android auto with some bose speaker and a sub... Not interested in a soundbar. But i love the concept
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
Reddit always talks about how manufacturers need to make more basic vehicles. How they would totally buy them if they were on the market. Well,here it is and yet there's nothing but complaints. Nobody here is creating a car company. Take a swing at it, build quality new cars for $10k. I'll gladly wait for the reports of child labor and exploiting migrants to do it
Puzzleheaded_Bus_103@reddit
That exploitation could be happening here too. We'll find out in 10 years.
ActuallyNotRetarded@reddit
Not one person ever said "get rid of the speakers in my car so I can pay less"
Also, literally every car for 28k has speakers. Even sub 20k cars have speakers. Even fleet vehicles have speakers. Some motorcycles even have speakers. My buddy's kids driveable toy car has speakers. Please don't try to defend this as if they're giving us exactly what consumers asked for.
I think everyone is right to talk shit but that's just me.
WeeniePops@reddit
Crank windows can also fuck right off for 28k.
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
Speakers cost money to procure and install. If cost is your concern then adding non critical parts isn't going to make vehicles cheaper. Go buy some plug in speakers to connect to your phone and run power to the battery
ActuallyNotRetarded@reddit
I think you're missing my point. If you're gonna drop everything, even speakers, then it should be selling much cheaper than 28k since every car under 28k includes all those options
Ecsta@reddit
What other new BEV is under 28k?
Realpotato76@reddit
Do we want BEV’s to be significantly worse value than their ICe/Hybrid counterparts? It’s crazy how much better equipped and more capable a Chinese BEV is than this
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
Ah, because production facility and labor are free. Like i said, reddit should create a co op or something since everyone here knows how to do it. A coop would be ideal since all profits would go back into the company.
ActuallyNotRetarded@reddit
I literally work in automotive manufacturing lol
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
No you didn't if you think ita feasible. My brother was an engineer for Honda. Made every civic that came out of Indiana was there before he plant opened until 2014 or so. I've been there for plant tours multiple times. I'm an accountant that has worked for large manufacturing clients. There's no way you could have an operating model from selling cars that cheap. You can't use machines for everything, they need maintenance and calibration often
elon_free_hk@reddit
I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the speaker option is just $50 - $200, and I will gladly pay for it.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
It literally has a speaker option as an add on in the personalization page.
Intro24@reddit
And they cost?
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
It doesn't say what they cost on the site, but it can't be that much.
Intro24@reddit
You realize that the starting cost of this car with speakers added will still round to the same $28k price, right? So just click the button to add speakers if you want them. You act like they're impossible to get or that they'll add $5k to the car.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
Speakers are like 100 bucks, man. The whole point of the car is that you can add the accessories (YES this includes speakers) that you want.
Practical-East9211@reddit
I know some guys who just leave cheap Bluetooth speakers in their cars and connect their phones to them
PaddingtonBear888@reddit
I use air pods and my iphone on a rennline magnetic mount in my 997. Its a gt3 with cup car muffler so the noise cancelling on long drives is a must. That and the fact that the factory speakers are diabolically bad, worse than any car I've ever owned.
SwiftCEO@reddit
Yeah, the speakers were an odd thing to omit from the base model. They’re not that expensive. I’m surprised they’re including the windshield.
Larcya@reddit
This is giving me Porsche "We got rid of the door handles becuese of "Weight savings!!!" Bullshit.
So you saved what 1 pound? Meanwhile you could have just told the Cargo wearing fat ass to lose a pound and kept the fucking door handles.
Real talk though, I'd just go buy a side by side. a $30,000 side by side is going to shit on these things all day everyday and depending on your local laws they might be street legal too depending on your local laws. I know where I live they are street legal.
No-fear-im-here@reddit
Exactly. What normal person is gonna spend 28k on a car and not care about having speakers or some basic tech? That’s right no one. Definitely not me either.
2for1garlicknots@reddit
No complaints here, I put my deposit down
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
Congrats. Would be happy to hear a review when you get it. No bs
nickiter@reddit
I think there probably isn't a way to build a sub $20k car in the US any more. Labor and part costs are simply too high.
TheThunderbird@reddit
Welcome to r/cars! Stick around long enough and you'll learn that every new car under $100k is fatally flawed (usually because it's not a brown, manual wagon with a V8), and the ones that aren't are too expensive.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Hey man, a great idea can be executed poorly.
I can guarantee you a car company out there can make a gas vehicle, completely bare bones, for 15k
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
I guarantee you it can't. The testing and certifying alone would likely put that out of reach. Make 50 production ready cars at your expense just to get trashed before you even sell one. Not to mention the startup and design costs. Do you even have enough consumers to get production levels high enough to sell them so cheap? Look into cost accounting
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Nissan versa is 17k
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
Why isn't reddit buying them en masse?
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Because it’s not customizable. It’s a completely different idea. I think you’re missing the point
BM_seeking_AF_love@reddit
How is it not customizable. It's called the aftermarket. What customizing do you want to do to a nissan versa? Any customization is going to add costs and it's still a nissan versa. You're missing the point, nissan limiting customization is why it starts at $17k
blainestang@reddit
And the "$17k" Versa (which is still \~15% more than $15k) is a loss-leader that no one buys and is ONLY for the manual one. Add an automatic, and it starts at \~$20k.
macchiato_kubideh@reddit
I'm surprised crank roll down windows are cheaper to make than electric ones at this point
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Thats… a very fair point.
Phosphorus444@reddit
Are there really no speakers? Isn't there a requirement for door chimes or something like that?
Snoo93079@reddit
People regularly spend $20,000 on little all-terrain vehicles. These guys are making one that's road legal with all the modern safety features.
And then people lose their minds because it's not mainstream enough.
mrb4@reddit
People spend a whole lot more than that on sxs these days. Plenty of models that start in the mid 30's.
AwesomeBantha@reddit
I mean, for a lot of people, an SxS is more like a track toy than a pickup truck. I agree that they’re not cheap but nobody is buying one of these and treating it like a $30k SxS.
krombopulousnathan@reddit
Correct! That’s exactly why I bought my Can-am; it’s cheaper than track days and a track car for something that I’d consider to be of roughly similar caliber. Plus I also like off-roading.
And compared to a track day I can run my can-am way longer; riding 8 hours in a day is no problem. Idk what track I could get that amount of seat time, if I had a car that could even handle that
AwesomeBantha@reddit
and on top of that, if you already own a bit of property, you can sorta clear some paths and hoon that thing around without even needing to go anywhere - I can’t imagine what it would cost to pave and maintain a private track but for these things you just need a dirt road
some municipalities will even let you put motorcycle/off highway plates on, so you might even be able to drive it to a nearby trail without needing a trailer
lots of people, especially here, seem to think that a $4k kei truck does the same things that a $30k SxS does lmao
krombopulousnathan@reddit
Yea I would love to rip my Can am with their kei truck on the same trails and see how they keep up haha
And boy I envy those municipalities that allow SXS’s on the street. VA is not cool with that where I live haha, but down in WV they allow it which is so fun
trmoore87@reddit
Those have better infotainment than this
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
Slate is allowing you the ability to have your iPad as an infotainment system. So that right there can give you an 11 or 13 inch display which is better than a lot of infotainment systems out there.
WeeniePops@reddit
Using an iPad as a head unit sounds like a recipe for getting your car broken into. I'm not a fan of this idea at all.
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
Then don’t use one or make sure your car is well tinted then.
WeeniePops@reddit
That's not the point. The point is this isn't a very good solution and they should've provided a very basic built in screen. Aren't cars required to have back up cameras now anyway? How does that work without a screen?
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
I think it’s a great solution for people that want choice in how large their infotainment screen is. Some may want one the size of their phone while others may prefer a large tablet.
If you don’t like it that’s on you. Nobody is forcing you to buy this truck.
And it does have a backup camera screen: the digital speedometer switches to the rear camera when in reverse.
barryicide@reddit
Redditors:
Slate: Okay, here you go
Redditors:
Subrotow@reddit
I don’t think people are complaining about the lack of features. It’s that the lack of these features and it’s still more expensive than a fully featured civic. A car this barebones should be well under 20k.
TheRealPizza@reddit
haven’t owned a car with carplay yet and always glad to use my phone. integrating with a tablet would be great too. but having use your phone or ipad’s speakers for music is absolutely insane.
hutacars@reddit
You don’t have to though? Get a Bluetooth one (they even sell a mount for this) or install some speakers.
ZannX@reddit
Redditors:
Also Redditors:
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
They’re allowing you to use either a phone or a tablet.
Mimical@reddit
It's actually a REALLY smart idea.
It means in a few years if I wanted a better resolution and faster system I just put a new tablet in.
Even better, which I don't think people are thinking about: Get a tablet with a SIM card slot and you could piggy back with an added data plan for maps/calls and whatnot.
alonjit@reddit
It's not "how dare you giving me the option to use my infotainment system" it's "how dare you ask 28k when you make me use my infotainment system".
A big difference. Sell it at 10k? Sure, that works. 28? No.
College_Prestige@reddit
That's not what slate is doing though. You're still using their infotainment system, it's just that you have to plug in your own phone to have it exist
austinzone813@reddit
The only down syndrome side to this is no Carplay. Not that its reallly necessary but here its not an option unless you install a headunit.
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
Yeah I mean honestly I think that’s one of the best features about this vehicle is the ability to basically choose whatever device I want to serve as the infotainment system.
If I’m someone that’s into the minimalist style, I go with a phone screen. If I’m someone that wants the biggest display possible, then I grab a Galaxy View 18.4 and have that as my display.
Where they fucked up was not having speakers as standard. That’s my main issue with this. It could’ve been so easy for them to follow Volvo’s shoes (in the EX30) and had a 2.1 soundbar type system just there on the dash.
barryicide@reddit
My car is 2016: at the time, plenty of cars had Android Auto (or Apple CarPlay) but the car I wanted (turbo wagon!) only had "dumb" infotainment. As a result, I don't use the screen for anything except selecting to reset my tire pressure. All of my media and navigation runs through my phone which is mounted in front of my screen. At the time, I thought it was a huge compromise I was making in order to get the rest of the vehicle that I wanted (Volvo V60) but almost 10 years later, I really don't mind it. Meanwhile some friends with cars a few years newer have "fancy" infotainment that feels horrible and dated. Rolling your own means you can upgrade your phone/tablet for cheap instead of replacing the entire car.
I agree on the "not having speakers" part. Good-enough stereo speakers and a basic amplifier unit are cheap at economies of scale and everyone wants speakers in a car (...maybe not deaf people). We'll have to see how easy they make it for you to wire in your own (where are the speakers going to go? can you get power to the head unit? is there somewhere to run the speaker wire?).
nonamenogain@reddit
All I want is to mirror Waze and Spotify to the screen, my penalty box base 1.0 Škoda does this, as did the Corolla before that... and the Škoda before that.
specialcommenter@reddit
That’s not good for privacy when your friends text you weird things to say for the passenger to see.
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
You can individually set your iPad to have settings where it won’t show the description of the messages being sent. So I’m not sure why this would be an issue?
DrSpaceman575@reddit
My blender and a can of tennis balls also offer the ability to use my iPad as an infotainment system. Technically everything I own has that ability.
ZombieDO@reddit
Would be nice to have speaker mounting locations and wire channels, as well as location for an amp. Bluetooth interface, amp of your choice, good speakers, and a phone/tablet of your choice is way better than most other compromised systems that come with inexpensive cars anyway.
Tourettesmexchanic@reddit
And worse, checks notes everything else.
Itz_The_Rain@reddit
But at 28k you’re comfortably in Corolla SE and Civic Sport territory. Granted it won’t have the hauling capability, but has better everything else.
SciGuy013@reddit
those definitely will have more hauling capability than this lol
Realpotato76@reddit
Those cars can also tow more weight than this truck
Tourettesmexchanic@reddit
Yea if that's what you want. But at 20k it's something I would look into having. Nice little electric hauler with short range I can use as my daily and use for moving shit like I do with my current truck. That would give me a lot of freedom for my other car and solve my problem of fuel mileage. I don't want a corolla or anything in that class because then I still have to have my truck to all that other stuff with.
fgsfds11234@reddit
i thought my friend was lying when they said they got a corolla hybrid for 26k
Itz_The_Rain@reddit
It’s pleasantly surprising how the economy car market has bounced back post COVID. I actually got a Corolla SE for around 28K a while back. Couldn’t be happier with my choice.
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
This is comparing apples and tubes of toothpaste
What the fuck is going on in this sub
Brain rot
HobsHere@reddit
Infotainment is what many of us would like to avoid in a vehicle. Give me speakers with a Bluetooth link, and that's all I want. I do not want to play video games on my dashboard. I don't want any animated screens at all in my view when driving. I don't want to use a touchscreen to adjust the climate controls or my seat. Give me knobs/levers for that that I can use without looking.
Pattern_Is_Movement@reddit
Dgaf about infotainment, I can put a Bluetooth speaker on my dash if I want.
trmoore87@reddit
Might as well buy a 2000 ranger FFS
Pattern_Is_Movement@reddit
Already own an 02 Tacoma with zero options, was looking at this maybe in a few years depending on where in am at at the time.
trmoore87@reddit
lol that explains it
cannedrex2406@reddit
Yeah, but no car has a better infotainment and ease of use as Google Maps on your phone/iPad.
VW managed just fine using your phone as an infotainment in the VW Up! As far back as 2012
Slate should be just fine
krombopulousnathan@reddit
lol no they don’t
I own a Can-am Maverick X3 Turbo and for $22k new you get nothing for infotainment.
CheapTemporary5551@reddit
The people buying those are driving Platinum F250s or GMC Denalis. Not entirely sure what your point is here.
MrPsychoanalyst@reddit
But the slate isnt all terrain and probably defeats the purpose to modify one of these, the Maverick costs the same with leather seats and sunroof and a fun interior
Snoo93079@reddit
I didn't mean to suggest they're both all terrain. Just saying people spend as much for limited use vehicles all the time. Arguably this is much more useful to more people and it has all the modern safety standards all terrain vehicles lack.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
Road legal, but not as capable as the vehicles you're talking about.
Larcya@reddit
Yeah I love to shit on the stupidity of $30,000+ Side by sides...
But lets be real here none of these things will ever be as capable as the $30,000+ Side by sides that also depending on your local laws are also road legal too. They all have good infotainment too.
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
You’d be hard pressed even as a seasoned backyard mechanic with unfettered access to Facebook marketplace to build something as capable reliable and easy to run as a 30k sxs.
And the vast vast majority of people are not seasoned backyard mechanics.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I do wonder if they kept off roading in mind for their customizations. Factory lift, bigger tires, 4WD would make it capable. Rear locker would be nice to be able to add on also… but! Again, would be awesome to have that thing start at 15k. And theeeen add those things on.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
I doubt it. These are supposed to be cheap and let's be honest, the range is abysmal if you want to take it out of the city. Especially with heavy tires.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Yea. True… they aren’t cheap btw! That’s the point of my post
Shmokesshweed@reddit
Well...28k doesn't get you much these days.
And the tax credit minimizes the cost too.
peoplearekindaokay@reddit
I mean... 28k can get you a nissan versa and a motorcycle. Or a base model maverick (if you pretend taxes don't exist).
Salty-Dog-9398@reddit
The things you mention like lifts, big tires and 4th are actually pretty expensive to implement on a car. By comparison, taking out the radio/ roll up windows saves basically nothing.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Completely agreed! Which is why the base should be more like 15k. Then, maaaaybe it could be capable at 25 or 30k
TurboSalsa@reddit
Here is what a $15k EV looks like. It's a low speed vehicle (LSV), so it's technically street legal under 25 mph.
Salty-Dog-9398@reddit
$15k wouldn’t cover the bill of materials, let alone manufacturing costs, R&D, distribution, etc.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
As another poster said… Nissan Versa is 17k. It’s 100% possible. They probably made a mistake making it an EV
wolfpack_57@reddit
It has 4wd motor space packaged in. Well see
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Awesome! I’d wonder what the cost would be to make it capable off road
Snoo93079@reddit
Those vehicles aren't even allowed on the roads
quantum-quetzal@reddit
It actually depends by location. Here in Minnesota, state statute allows local governmental bodies (counties, cities, etc.) to authorize OHV use on roads under their jurisdiction.
FreshSetOfBatteries@reddit
Yes but that's an entirely different market. People spend millions of dollars on yachts too.
Mojave_Idiot@reddit
I’ve read a lot of pretty stupid takes in this thread but to directly compare a budget ev pickup to something like a maverick x3, let alone suggest the truck is the same thing except road legal with all the modern safety features is fucking hilarious.
StockAL3Xj@reddit
There's really no reason to assume that those target audiences overlap.
Snoo93079@reddit
I don't
ggtsu_00@reddit
Same type people who are puzzled a race car doesn't have cup holders.
Fcckwawa@reddit
Those luxury toys not pitched as basic bare bones trucks😂
TheFennecFrenzy@reddit
Yeah but when you make it road legal and safe, it goes from little off roader to car and the expectations change
albiorix_@reddit
Do you mean SxS or a Subaru?
thenewtomsawyer@reddit
They’re referring to side by sides
domvaughn_@reddit
The audio system is really the only thing holding this back.
If you were to add your own aftermarket audio system (something simple just speakers and receiver) wouldn’t it affect the range/distance the vehicle could travel on a single charge? If so what are the best scenarios for installing an audio system that doesn’t eat away at the vehicles range?
bravo2k1lo@reddit
As part of the crowd that's been trying to find a vehicle that's stripped of as much tech as possible, this might be the push that gets me interested in an EV. I mean, are crank windows back?!
Sea-Ad2598@reddit
Oh I didn’t know they didn’t have speakers. That’s ridiculous. I build custom Bluetooth speakers in my free time and have installed audio in all my vehicles. A decent car sound system can be had for less than $400 all day long. Especially from a manufacturer, the cost would be very small from the partnership and bulk quantity. To not add ~$300 worth of audio but still have a $28k price tag is beyond ridiculous.
TBH you can totally get a cheap BT head unit and 2 speakers for like $150. To not include even that. The bare minimum, is just so crazy to me.
Weary_Bid9519@reddit
I agree. Camry hybrid is almost the same price and that’s twice as much car. Should he $20,000 without incentives.
BrooklynDoug@reddit
I'm with you. If I win the gozillion lottery, I might try to manufacture a glorified golf cart for $15K. I'd market it as a city car or the second car for someone who will only commute with it and seldom take it on the open road.
Wr3ckn@reddit
Telo truck > Slate. Even single people don't want a 2 seater truck anymore. Other than that the Slate is a pretty neat concept.
weirdbeard1000@reddit
Speak for yourself guy. That type of thinking is why I can’t find a 2 seater truck.
vaurapung@reddit
I'm ecstatic it has no infotainment. Those need to be banned.
sudo_su_88@reddit
Very excited finally foe a small EV pick up. I was considering the Maverick but Slate is an actual pure EV.
Elpardua@reddit
My car industry wildest dream is this, and I know will never be possible, but let's dream together. Hear me out. All major companies get together and develop the best 3 cheap lightweight chassis ever. A compact, a Luxury and a Truck/SUV. They define standard mounting points for engine, body and suspensions. Then, they develop around that. Engine and body electronics integration would be handled through a universal CAN gateway. Want to put a V8? No prob. Want go full EV? Bring it on. Obviously there needs to be some limitations, like "engine electronics should be made by one manufacturer only" to avoid inreroperability issues. Then, you can still buy a finished car developed over that platform, go full DIY from Scratch, or even evolve a car you bought. Costs will go down, safety should improve, and if you have a problem with french reliability, you can simply swap powertrains for American or German sources to put an example. This Slate thing is a good idea in the right direction, but videos show some shoddy panel gaps, and poor finishes, I know it should be cheap, but it looks bad.
GaylrdFocker@reddit
If I can add speakers that will be fine. I only use my phone's bluetooth on my current daily and my other car doesn't have Carplay/AA so i use the map on my phone's screen.
ScreamingFly@reddit
You can add speakers. They're kind of hidden in the glove compartment but yes, they can be added.
PleasantAnomaly@reddit
Everyone complaining about the pricetag. What new car do you know or that has a price less than 25k ?
Own_Hat2959@reddit
I am sort of not impressed. I like the concept, but the price point is just too high for what it offers.
GM was out there in 2023 with the Bolt EUV with 100 miles more range and a pretty full featured car that you could buy for the low 20's after the Federal Tax Credit.
Granted, the Bolt EUV isn't a truck, but just a hypothetical ... if the Bolt EUV was a truck, it would be a much better equipped vehicle than the Slate in so many ways and cost about the same as the Slate, so ... where is all the money going with the Slate Truck?
I would have liked to see it come in at a legit 23k or less before tax credit. I also would like to see the cost of all the customizations. Customizations are great, but if they are expensive, they are sort of pointless. It just looks like a super stripped down vehicle that is simply still way too expensive for what it brings to the table when we can look at the Maverick and Bolt EUV and clearly see what is possible for 28k before tax credits.
MeYaj1111@reddit
An 80kwh battery pack and some supporting hardware + install costs $30k USD from Tesla. Batteries are still extremely expensive.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
why do they have EV's in Japan for 12.5k?
MeYaj1111@reddit
I found a 12.5k japanese car. It is built in japan, has 63hp and a 20kwh hour battery (25% of the size of a 80kwh $30k tesla battery). Hopefully that answers your question.
MeYaj1111@reddit
Not sure. How big are the batteries? What country are they built in?
h1ghpriority06@reddit
This gives me vaporware vibes.
Aggressive_Falcon942@reddit
This might just be me, but is anybody else thinking that in order for this car to succeed, it has to be offered as a panel van for as close as possible to 22,000?
At that price, this van would be the cheapest panel van in the market, and potentially the most reliable given that electric motors have less moving parts, and battery tech has come a long way.
How many businesses out there are looking for a utility vehicle, and all they really need is a couple tiny vans that anybody can drive with ease?
akmacmac@reddit
People who complain about the price are comparing it to ICE cars and hybrids
Aggressive-Cow5399@reddit
Depends on the target market. If this is going to be used as an occasional work beater, you don’t need any of that stuff. Definitely should’ve came with speakers and a touch screen system. Everything else I’m fine not having.
They should definitely make an awd option.
RamblingReason@reddit
Batteries are expensive. It is kind of like paying for a portion of your fuel in advance.
Qrion25@reddit
This is a good take. I also really like the idea of an affordable, stripped-down vehicle that leaves room for upgrades later and keeps things simple.
That said, while watching the Slate reveal and feeling proud that it’s American made and aimed at what people actually want, an affordable car, part of me kept thinking:
First, it’s great that it’s mostly domestically made, and I’m all for that. But if this is the best we can produce as a “vehicle for the masses,” then honestly, we as Americans need to do better.
I get that Chinese made vehicles often come from less ethical sources and have way cheaper labor, but sheesh if “affordable” here means a car with possibly fewer features than a Ford Model T (obviously with modern safety standards), then that’s pretty disappointing.
Like you, I’m totally fine with a barebones setup. But let’s assume tax incentives disappear, paying $27,500 for such a stripped-down car feels like a letdown.
If it were $20,000 without incentives, and $13,500–$14,500 with incentives, I’d be hyped. At $27,500, though? It’s hard to get excited.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly. Also, I really don’t like how people are looking at the price post-rebate. This is crap and only allows automakers to jack up prices equal to the rebate. Just making us consumers pay more. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if that’s what’s happening here
Mikeyyezzy@reddit
I bought my 2023 tacoma for $26,500 new back in 2022 it had android auto apple car play automatic windows cruise control automatic breaking and line assist and more as a base option.
I don't think it will work it's too expensive, plus it's an ev, so people that actively commute (like myself) evs are useless ( i now have a Maverick and you can't beat that mpg i love it)
Account14159@reddit
It illustrates that the real cost of all vehicles is in the tooling used to manufacture the running gear and body. The luxuries that everyone cares about so much are simply how the manufacturers make them profitable.
It's far more profitable to make luxury cars than it is to make economy cars, because econ
Hychus232@reddit
Ive been literally working on a concept like this for the past 2 years. I’ve got a piss poor budget so I have nothing to show, but now I get to watch how the market reacts to it and make mine better
Intro24@reddit
Like a car??
Hychus232@reddit
My plan is to start with a mini truck, like an S10, but with a Japanese kei truck bed. It would be extremely modular with as many off-the-shelf generic parts possible. However I did originally start with a car. A boxy, 80s style 2 door hatch, like an old Corolla. However with USA car regulations, a truck would be easier to get the company started.
Intro24@reddit
My guy in the reddit comments is planning to take on the likes of TELO Trucks and Bezos-backed Slate. Godspeed to you, sir. I love this and truly wish you the best.
Hychus232@reddit
I have a pipeline of a business or two I intend to try and start to lift me up into this project, both in skills, credentials, and income. I am also currently attending uni to be an engineer. With my extremely wide skillset (i am irl the literal definition of a Jack of all trades) I'm hoping I can legitimately make an "indie" car company.
It's an *extremely* daunting task, but watching Edison Motors do it up in Canada is giving me motivation to do it too (maybe even use their motors? We'll see...)
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Hell yea! I wish you luck!!
Hychus232@reddit
I appreciate it, and I'll be needing all that luck haha. I'll be posting about it on here when I'm closer to actually having an attainable product (probably not till like 2035)
BabiesatemydingoNSW@reddit
The Maverick starts at 27k, which seems like a better value to me than a stripper 2 seat EV trucklet.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Agreed
Intro24@reddit
They had to get to "under $20k with incentives" for marketing purposes. That's the sweet spot where they get to make a cool attention-grabbing claim and they would have to further reduce the price a whopping $7,500 in order to make the claim without the incentives. Electric cars unfortunately just aren't cheap due to the batteries and the first car for a new car company is tremendously expensive as well. This is why Tesla very consciously started upmarket and trickled down. Just be thankful that Slate is starting with something affordable. At scale and with kinks ironed out, they could likely hit dip under the $20k price point and possibly even the $15k price point without incentives. Just give it time and cross your fingers that it actually makes sense for them to pass the savings onto the consumer if they're successful.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
This is definitely a fair and balanced take. We’ll see! I sure hope you’re right
elon_free_hk@reddit
r/cars : we want a cheap no frill vehicle with absolutely nothing but being cheap
Slate propose an absolutely bare bone EV truck that cost under $30k before rebate
also r/cars : no not like that.
thedogthatmooed@reddit
Maybe I’m just cheap but considering what you get (or really what you don’t get) this doesn’t seem like that great of a deal. I mean this truck doesn’t have anything and still rings in at $28k. If the value was closer to $20k than $30k, it would make much more sense
Intro24@reddit
So what about if you imagine adding every possible accessory and the Slate truck ends up costing $28k after incentives. I'm not sure how things will shake out but it sure seems like you could make one of these Slate trucks decked out and premium for well under $10k.
elon_free_hk@reddit
I hear your point. However, that's a comparison between an ICE/Hybrid car against a Battery Electric pickup.
If you are shopping for a battery electric pickup, this is way cheaper than anything in the class. We are also talking about road legality and the ability to license on the road too.
In fact, I highly doubt this thing can actually hit the $28k price tag. Coming from the industry, a vehicle development program is extremely expensive, even for a legacy OEM. Not to mention this is going to be built in America. That's why all the surviving startups in the space started out making high margin expensive cars, it's very tough to start with a low-margin model. You need tons of volume to make up for the low price.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
That’s exactly my point.
candre23@reddit
What you should be taking away from this is that the fancy extras that car makers love to sell you in expensive packages don't actually cost much. That $6k premium infotainment package probably only contains $300 worth of components.
Yeah, the actual-car part of the car really does cost that much. Everything else is trivial.
Intro24@reddit
Or at least it does when you're trying to amortize R&D costs on your first ever car model and have no economies of scale or supply chain in place. If Tesla tried this same bare-bones approach, I'm almost certain they could get their costs to $15k per car or less. How much they'd actually charge though is another question. Also, for all we know, Slate might be selling at a loss. They have Bezos backing and could sell at a loss if they really had to in order to get up and running.
wallaka@reddit
gotdang, some people will complain about literally anything
RushTall7962@reddit
Is it really a complaint or too much to ask for a fucking radio and power locks and windows in a brand new car in 2025 even for a basic ass car like this.
Intro24@reddit
It would be entirely antithetical to the point of this truck to include a radio in it by default. The whole point is that things can be added and customized without even really changing the price since it will still round to the same amount after adding 3rd party speakers and likely the OEM ones as well. I don't want a radio. Like I literally dislike the fact that my car even has an FM radio. I would much rather be able to customize what ends up in there instead.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
So go buy a Maverick. This is just not the vehicle for you.
DrSpaceman575@reddit
It's an egregiously poor value.
I bought a Model 3 performance for around that price. It's a good value on features alone compared to an Accord, and a good value on performance compared to a Hellcat. The Slate isn't a good value on any single feature or spec compared to any other car or truck. There are UTV's that beat in every performance or usability spec like towing or hauling, and even those will have climate and a radio for less money.
prefix_code_16309@reddit
Rear wheel drive would kill it for me. Love the concept of the Slate, but no thank you to torquey electric motor plus RWD in winter. Probably perfect if you live in Miami or San Diego, though. I suspect the RWD will be a tough pill to swallow for many prospective buyers. Front wheel drive and decent snow tires is sufficient in my area, but can't envision going back to RWD myself.
Again, love the idea. I was a fan of the Elio, too, though, and we see how that worked out.
Jmauld@reddit
Maybe you could do better?
ReidBuch@reddit
Or get this - build a 2011 Ford Ranger again. DONE
SykoBob8310@reddit
“Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto has just announced a $25k electric pickup. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is a key investor in the project, joining the electric vehicle (EV) race alongside Tesla and Rivian.” Brut.
neanderthalensis@reddit
Just give me a new Land Cruiser 70 Series
Inner_Grab_7033@reddit
No you're exactly right. I first heard of this thing yesterday and started doing some digging because.... a basic pocket size pickup with that kind of utility and customability would be incredibly attractive and cool...at like 15-18k.
Love the basicness of it and the platform but this thing is basically an overpriced street legal go kart (of which most now have speakers for like a third of the price of this).
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
The amount of people defending and justifying this price is insane… and if this is truly the lowest an EV can be? As many people are saying?… Then EV was a mistake and they should have done a traditional gas engine
BandeFromMars@reddit
Call me a hater but I'm with you, for the price they're wanting this thing is a turd. If this thing was under 20k pre tax credit, then it might be good value. But relying on a tax credit that might not be around for much longer and advertising that price is dishonest. There are only 2 options for how this is going to turn out.
A. Slate goes bankrupt before they even sell a single one.
B. This thing will be a flop sales wise and the company will fold pretty quickly.
Inner_Grab_7033@reddit
Exactly
If 28k is the best a completely stripped sown EV 'truck' can be....don't bother and count me out.
chlronald@reddit
I agree fully. If this car fails, it's not because of design intent (I found it brilliant), but their price point.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I great idea can be executed poorly. I fear this is happening here with Slate
tekniklee@reddit
I love the idea, but I’m thinking that a reasonably optioned version with decent wheels, cap, auto windows will quickly be closer to $40k
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly. Thats exactly my point. I bet it’ll be very rare that people buy the base model. I wish it was 15k base (would need to be ICE) and then we could add on from there
datbino@reddit
This is f’n genius and awesome- I will be buying one
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Love the idea!… too expensive… but love the idea!
datbino@reddit
‘If’ you can still get the ev tax credit ‘If’ there are other discounts like the one they mentioned about Colorado
Sub 20k for an ev with all the modern safety tech? Sign me the fuck up
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
That’s with absolutely nothing in it though! The idea is that people will add on to it and customize how they want… And screw that. I assume they priced the vehicle based on the price after rebate. Market research said people will pay 20k for this truck. So let’s make it 28k because they’ll get rebates
datbino@reddit
That’ll be fun to customize even if it’s not financially efficient.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I definitely agree there. It’s a great idea. I love the concept
mgobla@reddit
Expecting to pay less for less equipment is a misconception. That stuff costs the manufactruer maybe $100, it doesn't have much influence on the cost in reality.
It's an EV, batteries are expensive. The battery alone probably costs over $15k, so why expect the battery + an additional car to cost $15k?
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
See. I think it was a mistake to make it an EV.
JackedJaw251@reddit
This thing has been all over my instagram feed. And I honestly love it. It's a perfect 3rd vehicle for my wife and I once our son moves out and takes his 4Runner with him. A perfect weekend errand runabout utility trailer for plants, lumber, etc.
Also, if you are a 3d printing guru, this is a great business opportunity.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Sure! Completely agree! I just don’t like the price
SlothsAndArt@reddit
Really makes you think about how incredibly priced the first year Maverick hybrid XL was at $19.9
jahrens1@reddit
Why not buy like 3 Kei Trucks instead?
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly
maxboondoggle@reddit
Absolutely love this concept. Modular like an old Nissan Pulsar. Winter vehicle goals.
RacerM53@reddit
Just buy an old truck. I bought an 85 720 for 12k, and it's been a dream. It's still super basic and simple, but mine came with a radio and speakers
Rugged_Turtle@reddit
I occasionally see this PRISTINE Nissan hardbody running around town and I’m like damn maybe I should spend five figures on a 30 year old vehicle
RacerM53@reddit
I bought my 85 720 for 8k but you do you
Rugged_Turtle@reddit
Oh I’m not dunking on it though I think some would question such a decision
RacerM53@reddit
Trucks been fine since i bought it 4ish months ago
Rugged_Turtle@reddit
Don’t want to support Bezos man
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
That too. Absolutely agree
argon0011@reddit
You can get a manual turbo diesel Japanese single cab truck with aluminium tray for around 30k-Australian or 19k USD.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
The amount of people justifying the slate’s price is wild to me
Secksualinnuendo@reddit
I feel like this is going to be something that can technically be bought for $20( with rebates etc) but ends up being $35k to $40k once you buy all the add ons to get most people to a basic level of comfort and convenience. And then there is the wild range in quality for after market parts. I love the open sourceness of it but there is so much chance for cheap ass companies to copy and bootleg legit versions of add ons.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly! Many people aren’t understanding my point, and are somehow justifying and defending this price point. first of all, don’t judge the price after rebate. Companies will start overcharging for cars knowing people will pay more due to rebate.
And, the whole point of this car is that you get basically nothing. 99% of buyers will add on crap.
MilkBumm@reddit
When we remember that the average new vehicle is almost $48k, a $28k EV is amazing.
ByCromThatsAHotTake@reddit
I like it, I'd just take the base model and mount a bluetooth speaker in their somewhere.
HimTiser@reddit
Honestly I’m seriously interested in this when my current EV lease is up. I only use it for my 20 mile work commute, I have another car for longer trips. I already my level 2 charger installed and solar panels offer basically free charging. Added utility of a truck bed for my weekend Home Depot trips, and a reduction of unnecessary features is attractive.
Power windows, Bluetooth speakers that connect to my phone, and maybe some lighter, sportier wheels and tires and I am game.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
It has power windows and speakers with bluetooth steering wheel control as an option.
I am interested in it for the same reason - 9kw solar install on my house, a 20 mile work commute, and I am a car audio enthusiast so this thing being a blank slate is PERFECTION for anyone who is into car audio and wants to do their own installs! No worries about integration with an infotainment system.
HimTiser@reddit
Oh for sure, I have already built a couple different ones on their site. Lowered mini truck/suv with ONLY the stuff I want, with opportunities for a huge aftermarket seem awesome.
NetLumpy1818@reddit
Just get one of those shower Bluetooth speakers and hang it off the rear view
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
These things literally come with options for different mounts in the center of the dash for various bluetooth speakers and even your own speaker.
FourteenTwenty-Seven@reddit
I'm honestly kinda thinking the same...
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Sure! But I think you’re missing the point
ByCromThatsAHotTake@reddit
I'm not. It would probably cost me close to this much to do a EV conversion on an old ranger or s10, and it would probably be janky and wouldn't have a warranty. Besides final pricing is sure to change, not to mention we have no idea what the political climate will be by the time it's out either. I'll reserve judgment until it comes out.
Tourettesmexchanic@reddit
I'm with you.
braunsHizzle@reddit
It's an overpriced golf cart. Bring over Kei's instead!
fanaticallunatic@reddit
Looks like a LR Defender bought on Temu
Comfortable-Dog-8437@reddit
As I said before in another post and got downvoted, most people don't need all the extras they are forcing on everyone these days. I will agree the price for a stripper model seems a little high but its better than 40K and up for a vehicle that has unneeded and unused features to drive a maximum of 20 miles from your house on a daily basis.
mustangfan12@reddit
Not having a radio is a deal breaker. All they needed was a cheap single din radio and 2 door speakers, and it would've barely cost them anything. The range isn't really usable unless you get the larger battery pack. Does it even come with AC?
tekniklee@reddit
I think that’s the point, they know almost everyone would want at least a few basic conveniences, and that’s how the 20k (really 27.5k) turns into 36k before rebate
mustangfan12@reddit
I mean, even the base model Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa had an android auto/carplay radio. Roll up windows is fine and also manual locks. But not having a radio is a deal breaker or at least a slot in the door cards and dash to add speakers and a radio
ZaheerAlGhul@reddit
I would've thought it would come with space for a double din especially people really care about apple carplay and android auto.
mustangfan12@reddit
Seriously, it's a huge L for them on an otherwise decent product
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I DOES come with AC actually. One of the few creature comforts for the base model
dsm1995gst@reddit
I’m assuming the fact that it’s electric is the problem
jfmdavisburg@reddit
The business model doesn't make sense. People who want a cheap truck aren't going to spend money on accessories.
WarOnFlesh@reddit
Try to design 1 single part that you think this car will require. Draw it up in CAD and go get it made by a machine shop. Then go look at how much that cost you.
You can save some money with economies of scale, but then you also lose money with things like dealerships, management, warranty claims, etc.
Just look at the actual money it costs to make anything. Now realize they have to do that for thousands of parts just to make the simplest vehicle possible.
I would be shocked if they can actually make this for less than $40k.
It's the reason that no one had heard of this thing 2 weeks ago and now all of a sudden you're seeing it everywhere: they ran out of money and need more investors.
they aren't actually going to be able to make it that cheap.
AdmiralGeneralAgnew@reddit
A big reason for that cost is they're doing electric which means an expensive battery pack which inevitably has a large cost. The other reason is that it's high besides the safety tech/engineering is the lack of scale. Starting out from scratch being made in the US, that's impressive. I think it'll be a perfect vehicle for a lot of urban landscaping and delivery companies, hopefully when scale of production goes up, they can reduce prices or at least keep them steady while inflation eats away everything around us.
buffinator2@reddit
It's my 2-door Jeep with half the features and half the range.
IsometricRain@reddit
And a bed. Jeep doesn't make a compact pick-up truck.
buffinator2@reddit
I can take the back seat out and has as much of a bed as that stupid thing
JRThePotato@reddit
Meanwhile you can get a brand new Nissan versa with all of that and more for 20k.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
17k!
Maddog2201@reddit
Personally I like how skint it is. I daily a car from 2009 and my favourite part about it is it has nearly nothing in it. Radio and speakers and electric front windows, nothing else. I like cars that are as simple as possible and this seems to meet that to a point. Though it's probably still got fucking lane assist.
EngagedInConvexation@reddit
Smart tried this.
Fcckwawa@reddit
Its a tech company, they want insane margins... go look at the cost to produce the Toyota imv-0 that would run circles around that ev gimmick "truck"
Rugged_Turtle@reddit
Toyota has massive foundational infrastructure
TopoChico-TwistOLime@reddit
Wow i have been saying for years this is the direction EV needed to take with stripped down no features. I was calling on Dodge to do it, woulda fit their MO. I am super peaked on this I’m pretty sure if this is the production car i am getting one
Own_Pass_926@reddit
You can get a base equinox ev for 27.5k. That gets you bluetooth, power windows and locks, and you just step inside and press the brake to start it up. No more pressing the brake and pressing a button.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
Literally says starting at 33,600 for those on their website.
MikeofLA@reddit
This is kind of the future we've been begging for. Granted, it would be better if you could just swap the entire top part of the chassis, so you could get a 2-seater, sporty convertible, cabover minibus, pick-up, and station wagon... oh well, it's a great start. I imagine the Slate II will be bigger and may offer more "Modules"
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
It's already an option on the personalization menus on the site. You can get truck, fully open back, and 2 options for SUV tops.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Would be awesome!!!
MCXL@reddit
It's MSRP is pretty close with small trucks from the early 90's. A Mazda B series pickup was 8-13.5 grand, which you can put into an inflation calculator and see this truck is right in the range of.
And that was manufactured at volumes likely 10x or more than this will be. Economics of scale and whatnot.
This thing rules and is a reasonable price. I want one. Bad.
K2TheM@reddit
It's the EV cost that people are still not used to, they just focus on 28K for tiny truck.
As someone who has been looking at getting an old S-10/Ranger/Early Gen Taco/Nissan Hardbody... the Slate is right up my alley. I really wanted to get a Maverick, but hated that it was a crew cab, and now that they are well above their 20K intro price... It's a hard sell for me. This thing, as a full EV for under 30K before rebates that isn't bloated in size, is not bad at all.
IF they meet all their design goals... fuck... it looks nice. With 150 miles on a charge; I might only need to charge it once a week when commuting. It comes with a plug-in wall level 1 charger, so it's easy to charge at home overnight or from anyplace that has a normal 120 outlet. It doesn't have a giant infotainment system. It doesn't have extra seats I'll never use. It will have a better crash rating than any of the other small trucks on the road. They are coming out of the gate with a deep pool of accessories to buy into initially or over time. It's 2wd only... but rear wheel drive, so it might actually be "fun" to drive. It's intended to be customizable/wrappable, which is something I am always into.
This also seems like it should be a winner for basic-level general contracting/trades. Deliveries, electricians, plumbers, handyman, etc. The short bed does limit its utility a bit... but unless its a 8-foot bed you aren't fitting plywood flat in there anyway.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
Yup, I've been wanting a Maverick XL for a while and was budgeting out another year until I could go buy one. This thing ticks all of my boxes, and being a car audio enthusiast is PERFECT for installing whatever system I want since there is no infotainment and factory DSP to fight with.
I was a BIG fan of 90's minitruckin', so I am already dreaming about a slammed slate on some billets with a bumpin' system and a 90's minitruck style wrap.
Ianm9@reddit
At that point why not spend a little more and get a Ford Maverick
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
For people who want an EV....
The beautiful thing about cars is that they are not a monolith, there are different choices for people who want different things.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly! Agreed
sl0wjim@reddit
Cool idea but 2 door only is going to eliminate like 75% of potential buyers.
TP_Crisis_2020@reddit
Hard pill to swallow, but you're probably right about this.
Brutally-Honest-@reddit
EVs cost more to manufacture. People need to stop trying to directly compare pricing to ICE automobiles.
pfcgos@reddit
All the ads I've seen say they're starting at "less than $20k"? Did something new come out with updated prices?
SR_gAr@reddit
They need to make this a sux cilinder gas engine
Western_Lab4099@reddit
it is if it werent for the battery. Plus no one wants a mitsubishi mirage or a nissan versa. if they did theyd be selling in the millions
the_chazzy_bear@reddit
I hope these do well mostly so other car companies will emulate more trucks like these. Honestly I could give a rats ass if I have speakers or any other comfort features as long as the truck runs well. Access to affordable trucks again would be nice. It’s an interesting concept too to be able to convert between a truck and an SUV (I think there are roll bars and other features to make the back seats fairly safe). Maybe I’m still salty we don’t have the hilux in the states lol.
byteminer@reddit
If it was a small gasoline engine truck I have no doubt they could manage that price point. EV batteries are absurdly expensive.
BimmerBro98@reddit
Somehow they can buy a new car cheaper in Brazil…
Jamaican_Dynamite@reddit
All jokes and insults aside, sounds like a truck good for around town driving. It's not a long distance hauler. And it's not some trail monster.
But a shortbed pickup? Plain Jane? Not too bad for $28k. I just want to see how well it lives up to its planned adaptability.
TheP4rk@reddit
I could realistically see this as a 2nd vehicle for homeowners. I wouldn't consider it until my car is paid off but I could keep my WRX for weekends and longer trips and use something like this to commute and occasional home depot runs.
I don't have a crazy drive or anything only like 60mi a day round trip but I would still save quite a bit in fuel costs. That said, the lack of some really basic features like speakers also kind of kills it as a commuter..
I don't use most of the newer tech in my car. Hell I upgraded my speakers myself with a plug and play upgrade it wasn't hard. But if these don't come from the factory with wiring that becomes a whole different ordeal.
TheThunderbird@reddit
That's exactly what I'm going to buy and use it for. It will stay at the lake house to put the boats in and out, make lumber yard runs for small projects, etc. Since it's not ICE, I won't have to worry about maintenance or fluids going bad if I leave it for six months.
WoodenSong@reddit
Haul mulch, tow something small, bed for some appliances, throw on my bike rack. Perfect. No speakers? I’ll toss in one of my Bluetooth ones and pull it out when I go camping.
PaulTheMerc@reddit
would be nice if it could at least fit a dog in the back seat.
ZaheerAlGhul@reddit
This could be good for local businesses and municipalities.
scottawhit@reddit
Should have used a small gas engine as the base option. 2.0, 150hp, $15k.
0HSHIFT@reddit
I'll be shocked if it makes it into production.
Random thoughts of no particular importance.
Payload is terrible. Towing is terrible. Range, pretty terrible.
Modularity, very cool. Potential to easily replace a body panel, also very cool.
It's a golf cart for the road with safety features.
That said, charging at home still requires expenses unless I missed something about 110v charging for the US. And if it does support home charging through a standard outlet, I can't imagine it would be a great experience. So your tax credit is mostly absorbed into retrofitting charging at home.
I think I'd rather just get a Civic. But if you only have one vehicle, want to go electric, and want a bed, it's quirky and cool.
If it does go into production I bet the least expensive MSRP will still top $30k. No one will buy one without accessories/options.
kevinstu123@reddit
Less car. More greed
that_bermudian@reddit
If it has no screens, how will it be compliant with current back-up camera standards?
West_Independent2551@reddit
The best part about this car is that it looks like a 12 year old's drawing of an E30 ute.
CrustyBus77@reddit
Some are noting that the Slate isn't worth it because for the same cost you can get a new ICE car with lots of tech. For me, I like the Slate because it has no tech. The systems built into cars now are unreliable, hard and expensive to fix and impossible to replace with third party gear. Slate claims easy it's easy to repair and a library of videos showing you how to fix, upgrade and maintain the vehicle. It's like a Framework laptop.
Also the Slate doesn't spy on you, advertise to you and no big ugly touchscreen instead of buttons and knobs. I'm seriously considering buying one. If it's reliable and easy to repair it could last a really long time. I'll pay the full 28k.
Abdrew_Greebski@reddit
The cheapest car on sale in 2018 in the US was the Nissan Versa S, at around 13.5K. With inflation that's just over $17K in days dollars. If the truck is $20K with the federal tax credit (this truck will live or die on it), that's only a few thousand more, and it has a bed. That excludes other stackable state incentives where they will probably target which puts it right in line.
I think it's priced quite well.
uglyugly1@reddit
Why does it cost 28k?
Because people will pay it.
Mk2Guru@reddit
Well for an EV truck it is less than half the price for the next cheapest EV truck in the US, which is the RAM REV starting at $58000.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
THIS…. So much this. Look how many people are weirdly defending the price in this thread. So weird
BlankBB@reddit
For reference, currently the cheapest truck you can buy in the US is the Ford Maverick starting at $28,650 (per Cheapest Trucks for 2025)
Mk2Guru@reddit
You misspelt Ram REV starting at $58000. Which is currently the cheapest EV truck you can get in the US.
redtoad3212@reddit
its because its electric
therealchengarang@reddit
Nowadays basic electronics aren’t even that much, some manual/mechanical component assemblies can be rare enough that it cost more to buy more electronic features in bulk.
Plus there’s plenty of electronic features that people don’t want to be without now like backup cameras.
Things like air conditioned seats and pop out touch handles don’t add as much as people think, making a cheap car is something companies have been doing for a long time in and industry where everyone’s profit margins 2-6%.
ARJeepGuy123@reddit
I agree with you, but also, this will probably be a low volume vehicle which means a higher cost per unit
BigOldButt99@reddit
Won't it at least need a screen for a backup camera which is required in all new cars?
mithiral67@reddit
Thought I read it’s made in the USA except the tires? That’s a cost.
waterly_favor@reddit
Just my thoughts. I'm not paying more than 7k for that
Liam_M@reddit
not realistic the price of the 47kwh of battery alone is north of 5-7k now add in the wholesale price of an off the shelf EV motor and that’s north of another 5k at least so now we’re at 12k before any metal wire, paint, airbags, lights, seats etc, let alone labour or any profit for the mfg 28k seems downright reasonable
TheKuMan717@reddit
I’m scared how much those options are going to cost
MattTilghman@reddit
I might want a 28k electric pickup with only RWD and no speakers, but does it have air conditioning?? If the article stated, I must have missed it
itaos1@reddit
It also has air conditioning and cruise control!
Ecsta@reddit
Yep gets cruise control for free because the AEB requires having a radar module.
Captain_Alaska@reddit
AEB has nothing to do with cruise control. You're thinking of adaptive cruise, which it doesn't have.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I… don’t know actually. But with this vehicles philosophy? I would assume it’s an add on and doesn’t come standard
valsalva_manoeuvre@reddit
Ok but to put this in perspective, a base GM J-car (Cavalier, Sunbird) cost about this much upon release.
IcemanEG@reddit
Reserved - would be a great around town truck for me. IMO the opportunity for customization (infotainment, sound) is a good thing, pick your own parts.
I think the plastic panels are sweet too. And a bigger focus (aside from HV stuff) on servicing the car yourself is nice.
Also hearing it will be sold direct to consumer, that's huge.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Love the idea! Truly I do. I love the ability to easily customize, and after market products for the vehicle may explode. Which is awesome… I just hate the base price. Simple as that.
IcemanEG@reddit
For sure. You can feel in the price that it’s American-built (and most of the supply chain allegedly). I think a big part of sales on this will be centered around the tax credit since you can take it at point of sale.
Remains to be seen if that credit will stick around, but I personally feel that it will.
AdditionalText1949@reddit
Reddit seems to have a very difficult time with money and inflation...
Tell us.. what SHOULD this new EV cost?
Let me guess, you still think a Ranger should cost $11,000?
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I absolutely, without a doubt believe a bare bones truck that doesn’t even have damn speakers or a radio should be 15k or under. I’m not stupid, I can see why it can’t be done with an EV… so don’t do an EV. This exact truck and philosophy should’ve been done with a gas engine
MotoMD@reddit
because screens, speakers, and basic shit doesn't cost very much. developing the platform, safety regulations, frame, engine, etc thats where your money is going. there's a reason why manufacturers upsell on speakers and trim pieces, its practically free money to them.
Themissing10@reddit
Did I miss another article? All the socials are saying the truck is $20k
Mike_fencesax32@reddit
What idiot would buy this crap. 150 mile range. Pathetic.
EnemyOfEloquence@reddit
I'm absolutely in love with it. A good pairing with my 1999 Isuzu trooper. I said I'd never buy a new car but this might make me.
Connect_Bet705@reddit
newsflash: a ford ranger was 9200 in 1990. in todays dollars thats 23000. this is 20k after tax rebate
AftermaThXCVII@reddit
It looks like a giant pile of garbage, an electric Yugo truck. Overpriced, crap range, almost non existent towing, no features, and so on. Just because it's "cheap" and stripped down doesn't mean this is good. This is going backwards in automotive design in almost every way. This little Soviet looking thing deserves to die on arrival
koreanwizard@reddit
Anyone want to bet that you won’t be able to purchase this vehicle for $28k in 2 years? I smell another EV exit scam. They’ll gobble up investor dollars until they fail, and the founding team will take millions off the table with every round of investors.
CrabCakesBenedict@reddit
yeah i saw their like press release video today and everything about this screams "never coming out"
thedogthatmooed@reddit
You can buy a GTI for $33,600.
TheThunderbird@reddit
This post is probably the best reception Slate could get. When r/cars can't find anything else to complain about, we complain about the price.
It's an EV -> higher up front cost, lower running costs. This is cheaper than a Nissan Leaf, the cheapest EV sold in the US. It's also cheaper than the Maverick, the cheapest truck sold in the US.
CrabCakesBenedict@reddit
really feels like this is vaporware and is never going to come out
stoned-autistic-dude@reddit
Inflation, battery costs, and all that play a cost. Money is worth less today than it was 15 years ago. You can’t go into this with a 2010 mindset. This car would cost maybe $19k in 2010. That’s a great value in today’s market.
towjamb@reddit
It's what Tesla should have built instead of ....
BlackDS@reddit
Money is worth less now a days. Inflation is a bitch, run the numbers. In 2000, you could get a Geo Metro new off the showroom floor for $10k. The inflation calculator says that's $18,587 in today's money. This car isn't expensive, everyone is just more poor now.
Bassracerx@reddit
It sounds like because the deal with the rivian amazon vans went so south amazon is looking to just make the vehicles in house so there are no minimum orders or “sorry we can’t build it like this” ect. Sounds like a stripped out work truck that will be also available to the public. I doubt the idea is to be a mass market / household name off the bat.
Also considering how shitty the us postal service got screwed over on the mail truck deal i’m sure the government will buy tons of these!
danny_ish@reddit
Go price a golf cart online at like EZ-Go. They are in the upper teens pretty easily
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
That’s absolutely insane. So an insane price justifies another insane price?
danny_ish@reddit
Just saying i think you are behind the times. 28k is now pocket change to those buying new cars
Drone30389@reddit
This article in The Verge says it's under $20,000 after federal incentives. So are there $8,000 in incentives or is one of these prices incorrect?
As for lack of radio, if they put a standardized slot and connectors so you could by a unit and pop it in, that would be great.
It's hard to imagine they're saving much with manual windows though. Manual regulators don't cost much less than motors, and aren't really more reliable either.
LoPanDidNothingWrong@reddit
Starting is similar to the Ford Maverick. Running costs will be significantly lower due to electric vs gas alone.
I don't really have a problem with this truck at all. I think it is reasonably priced for what it is and I would bet third party options will end up being pretty cheap if it is easy to upgrade on your own. - A Carplay headunit and speakers won't cost that much...
RyanGreener@reddit
Super cool concept if you must have an EV but I feel like the Maverick does the same thing at the same price (not counting incentives). I'm interested anyway in the mini-SUV.
ansheezy@reddit
I get that the Slate looks very cool, and the features/range/price seems polarizing. Even with the credit, the Maverick when it first came out though it also has a utilitarian bare bones interior I feel was a better deal. While this is really cool, I think living with that base range and bare bones is a different story.
Genobee85@reddit
I hear $25K after rebates/incentives
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Gimme 15k without rebates. Then, you can get even off. It can be done
sirmanleypower@reddit
I literally do not believe that it can. The battery alone will cost more than half of that.
austinzone813@reddit
If Slate wants to stake a claim in the EV sector it really, really needs an easily replaceable battery pack.
If that can happen then the longevity of these things will go up along with aftermarket support.
guy-anderson@reddit
From the sounds of the press release, the goal is to basically shunt all of the features like speakers and screens to the aftermarket.
I get that buying a new car you don't want to have to immediately install your own head unit. But if they are honest that adding your own speaker system will just require ordering a plug-and-play kit from Amazon and removing a few screws, and that it won't void the warranty, they could actually be on to something here.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Oh I completely agree! As stated in the post: I love the idea. I think it’s great… it 28k is simply too much for the base
guy-anderson@reddit
28k for an electric pickup is insanely cheap. That's only a bit more than even the base Maverick is going for.
If you factor in the total cost of ownership over the first 40k miles (no gas or maintenance) this would make it the cheapest new car to buy in America.
austinzone813@reddit
Dont forget the base maverick hybrid was originally $20k until the dealers realized americans need to pay more for their cars (and stupidly they did).
SykoFI-RE@reddit
An EV that gets 3 mi/kwh is only going to save the average person like $20/mo over a gas car that gets 40mpg and you have an effective range of 150 miles vs 500 miles in a Maverick.
kamikaze2001@reddit
This was basically the original idea behind Saturn.
Jaymez82@reddit
I am struggling to figure out why you would buy this over an XL Maverick.
itaos1@reddit
Best chance this has for success is gas prices rising and a recession.
Last time that happened the Geo Metro was a sought after commuter.
ZaheerAlGhul@reddit
Is there any way to put in a double din stereo unit? I'd imagine a lot of people can't live without android auto and apple carplay.
Ididntevenscreenlook@reddit
I said the exact same thing. Like just buy a maverick or a frontier? An established brand! Sure it’s not an EV if you have to have an EV get a ioniq 5, $50 it’s cheaper than a functional suv version of this slate truck.
They priced the rebates in and that’s where I call bullshit.
avoidhugeships@reddit
I love the idea of a car that has no infotainment, but I would want some speakers. Even so the range, 2 seats, lack of towing ability all make this not a great deal. I like the concept though. Would love to see someone do this with a cheap ICE car. The amount of regulation and testing rules have made cheap cars a thing of the past.
Snazzy21@reddit
The more I think about it the more I feel there is an identity crisis at Slate. At first it is an obvious commercial vehicle, only a business would be fine buying a car without a radio or speakers. But businesses want infrastructure for parts and service, and by no fault of its own Slate as a new company can't compete with other brands (without partnering). Ford has a robust commercial sales division.
So then there are normal buyers, nobody is going to buy a car without speakers and it's been that way for decades. If you just wanted a radio and speakers (most people would want more), you're basically at the theoretical base Ford Maverick price which offers a known brand and much more. And the bed size difference wont matter more than the Maverick having 4 seats and higher tow rating.
It looks like it could be a weapon off road, and the price would be ripe for it. But no 4wd, not even an AWD version. It doesn't check all the boxes for anyone. I respect the commitment for the vision of no-nonsense, I love the idea. But in practice it might not be as feasible. We'll have to wait and see.
avoidhugeships@reddit
Its an EV. They are expensive and most manufacturers are still losing billions on them.
ThMogget@reddit
The only feature that is really missing to me is AWD. If that’s an optional accessory than I am getting one of these.
GaylrdFocker@reddit
https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
It's equal to about $11k in 2000. That was pretty cheap for a new car back then too
Secret_Physics_9243@reddit
Car prices have taken to the sky for a number of years now
Dnlx5@reddit
Youve got a lot to learn about making things. Its expensive!
Also, this is exactly the sentiment that makes all cars cost 38.
Engineer: "28 dor bare bones or 34 with all the fixins?"
Buisness guy: "36, and the premium one goes for 40"
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Here’s the thing though: I’m a consumer and I don’t care about the details. You can judge me for that all you want but again, I don’t care.
I just care about the bottom line. I care about the price of the car. And… that ain’t cheap
Dnlx5@reddit
Fair enough! If the thing is t worth it to the customer, its foolish to make it.
I do hope things like this get made though, I love em. I wish I could get a miata with manual windows.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
Exactly! Agreed there… yea I’ve said it a few times on this thread: hopefully another company copycats this idea and makes a gas version of this
Dnlx5@reddit
man the maveric starts at 24k and has power window and a radio!
Dnlx5@reddit
I mean thats the ford maverick.
mulletstation@reddit
Reddit and the larger internet sphere does not understand what it costs to make anything. Like any object.
oneorangeday@reddit
How they are approaching the market and more specifically the parts side, that is the real game changer in my opinion. I see how the OE’s work and if this takes off, this will force them to rethink their business model a bit, which is desperately needed!
Snazzy21@reddit
I need at least a radio/cassette, it’s what I have now and it works for me.
They do have my respect for making a vehicle that goes so far it that direction that even by my standards it’s a little stripped down.
Having no screens is okay, so is RWD for most utilitarian use. Most old trucks were bought with 2wd and that didn’t stop it from becoming the quintessential work vehicle in most people’s minds.
-South@reddit
Check out r/slateauto if you're interested
NorCalAthlete@reddit
A 2020 or thereabouts used Toyota Tacoma is the same price give or take depending on trim level.
Yankee831@reddit
I really don’t see the appeal over the Hybrid Maverick. EV is nice but not at that price with those limitations. I would still need a 2nd vehicle. Now for a dedicated business vehicle or city vehicle for someone who rarely roadtrips it could be sweet but once again for that much I could by a lot more capable used EV’s. I need double that range realistically.
plsnoban1122@reddit
Nah I'm chill with it honestly. 15k won't even get you a SxS lol. Now factor in crash testing, federal regs, emissions, an actual interior... 20k$ with incentives sounds right on the money.
My concern is whether or not they'll actually stay at that price lol.
rockomeyers@reddit
So like cable TV al la carte. Just pay for what you want. You will save hundreds!
Fleet vehicles maybe?
alien_believer_42@reddit
Shit's expensive
reidlos1624@reddit
It's an EV so the price is inflated a bit. You can only get so cheap with batteries.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
This is true. Well then… I wonder if they made a mistake making it an EV then
reidlos1624@reddit
With the EV tax credit and the functionality of a truck, the value proposition gets better, and savings from gas and cost to repair as EVs tend to be very reliable.
A Maverick might be a better option still but with a 4x8 bed this could edge out in a few cases. If it can be used as a truck then it's already got more functionality that a glorified golf cart like a Versa.
adamosity1@reddit
Dacia seems to have the right approach.
Hop-Dizzle-Drizzle@reddit
I think there's a market still. Mostly fleet vehicles. And with the quality of Bluetooth speakers nowadays, I wouldn't be against keeping a charger for one in the car, and using a good phone mount for audio and GPS. Heck, maybe even keep a tablet mounted to the dash.
HeadOfMax@reddit
Hey just drop the US tariffs in pickup trucks so everyone around the world can participate in our "free" economy
ViperThreat@reddit
I like it.
I'd bet $100 that price tag is pre-tarrif
LifeIsABowlOfJerrys@reddit
Id pay over $28k for that if it had an ICE and a manual tbh
PlayAccomplished3706@reddit
I don't think it will stay $28k.
RegisterFit1252@reddit (OP)
I get that. I do. That’s a chicken or the egg thing huh? In order to sell enough models, it needs to be cheap. But for it to be cheap, it needs to sell enough models.
I do think the idea is great and in this economy? A 15k vehicle would sell like crazy
TimTomTank@reddit
You understand that this is an ev, right?
Shoot, the battery pack is likely 10k by itself.
SnortsSpice@reddit
I love the look of it. I don't know how I feel about the rest of the meat and bones.
Ghost17088@reddit
Margins on most new cars are already really low, so they need a ton of volume to generate operating profit. These don’t have that volume and so they cost more to cover overhead. It could maybe cost 15k if they sold 200k units. But these aren’t going to have anywhere near that sales volume.
SF_Bubbles_90@reddit
EVs are always going to be pricey because of the battery. Tbh if you want a simple barebones truck you are actually wanting an older truck.
MoodPuzzleheaded8973@reddit
It’s because electric isn’t ready for widespread adoption. Policy makers & manufacturers getting high in their own farts from the top down.
The_real_bandito@reddit
I agree but I would like a better version of this body. I missed the Ford Rangers from the 90’s. That was my favorite truck when I was a kid.
bandito12452@reddit
It’s priced with the tax credit in mind. Most of the time of the tax credit goes away, the price is adjusted down.
following_eyes@reddit
Pretty sure $20K is the rough starting figure but realistically you'll land at $28K with options.
fervidmuse@reddit
Starts around $28k but with federal rebates (if they still exist), adjusted price is $20k. And of course options are extra.