Realistically, is this possible? It doesn’t have the benefit of significant volumes for economies of scale. I can’t see the base spec being less than $35k at launch - and I think you might be right that this may doom it.
Nope, people just pull this number out of their ass every time this car comes up. Slate has consistently said "mid 20's" with a firm price announcement coming in June.
Every super cheap EV ends up way overshooting it's price goal. Past history and current events say this thing is definitely much more likely to way overshoot it's price goal than undershoot it.
A 30% overshoot is still a wild assumption, especially considering they haven't softened their "mid 20's" language in a year/this close to their pricing announcement. Yeah if it ends up at $35k it'll be dead in the water, but I don't think it will be over 30. There's a solid case for it at $27k.
I hope to god it's under $30k with its design ethos. The 3rd Gen Nissan Leaf starts right at $30k and it is, by all means, a fully functional electric car now. They want to release this thing without speakers and shit.
Why would anyone buy it at $35K when you can get a maverick for 28K, a Tacoma for $34K, or a Colorado for $35K? If you’re going to sell a stripped down vehicle it has to be at a stripped down price
Sure is. Never been a Chevy guy, but the "new" Colorado trims have been created to offer something for every single type of truck buyer and budget. Hats off to them for achieving that.
$25K for a bed, modern safety features, and Apple car play hits about every box I think the average consumer has. If it doesn’t grenade by 100K miles that’s solid
Hard disagree, L82/L87 are the exception and L8T is one of the best gas truck V8 engines ever made. GM didn't even derate it when installing it in the Express, so you can get a full size van with 401hp from the factory.
GM is the king of V8s. It's just the cylinder deactivation is completely worthless. My 2011 Chevy WT has AFM deleted (failed at 230K which is a very good run) and is probably about as reliable as it will get.
To me, Chevy's always been the just right option. Fords understeer like an ocean liner and focus on economy, so they feel underpowered af. Dodge is the YOLO engine, weak drive train. And Chevy sits in the slot right between-- generally speaking, of course.
Even for the full stripper 2wd? I cant see a lot of them being sold in Canada, but thats the cheap one. A crew 4x4 with options can easily be high 30s here too.
How is an EV easier to repair than an ICE vehicle? I can buy engine parts for my Toyotas in three different chain auto parts stores, what EV motors can you repair at home?
And if Tesla is any indicator of what things will look like for a new brand: my friend didn’t have her Model S Plaid for weeks because of some dumb control module that failed, Tesla at least gave her a loaner model 3, but these “start up” brands that don’t have the dealer and parts networks will not be competing with ICE OEMs in repairability for decades.
A Toyota truck is more repairable by sheer volume, but Slate is repairable by design. They're committed to providing parts, manuals, schematics, etc. The idea being that someone can even make their own parts for it if needed.
If they actually sell though, I think we'll see some common OEM parts and third-parties selling replacements and upgrades. Think Framework laptops.
Tesla as about as anti-right-to-repair as it gets.
Because I buy vehicles I like, not vehicles that look good on a spreadsheet. Same reason I bought an e30 for the same price I could have bought an e36 or 46, both objectively better cars. Would have been a waste of my money though.
I think if the base spec is $35k it's toast, because then it's a direct dollar-for-dollar competitor to the Maverick, Ranger, Colorado, Tacoma, Frontier and Santa Cruz, and the customer is one really nice dealer incentive or previous-model-year from bringing Tundras, Silverados, Ram 1500s or F-150s into the comparison too. I don't think it's going to win a feature competition with any truck that currently exists; the sole reason to buy is cost.
The Slate is aimed at people and businesses in metropolitan areas who need a very small vehicle with low running costs. Slate has said their buyer is a coastal city dweller who wants something the size of an old Tacoma who wants an EV.
But would they pay the same or more than a maverick for an objectively less useful car? I still love the skate as a concept but if it dips into the $30k range I don’t see how they’d sell any, outside of people buying them because they’re new and cool.
Yes. Obviously I can't speak for everyone, but I plan on buying one because I don't need something as large as a Rivian, and I want an electric truck. I live in the city, and I find trucks too big to use around here. I also have a house just south of Monterey that I go to sometimes, and it would be perfect for getting around. My father who is in his late 60s likes the idea as well.
I always wanted a truck, but didn't want something big and didn't enjoy paying the price for gas, or maintenance. I bought a Rivian, but it was a bit too big to comfortably use. So slate is exactly where I need it to be. Whether I am important enough to be representative of an entire demographic, that is a big question.
They were aiming for $20K with EV tax credit, so $27,500 is the target price. But with inflation and the usual EV start-up issues, $30K is a more reasonable expectation and $35K or higher would be for something with more range than an i-MiEV.
I'm talking about the radio, doors, brakes, lights, everything around the drivetrain. EV drivetrains are also generally pretty simple mechanically as well
How often are people replacing their doors? Brakes cost about the same no matter what when compared to similar vehicles. Rotors and pads are rotors and pads
I always wonder why people that work for their own Cars are worried about brakes. A full set for the 991.1 cost me 800 for all Pads and Rotors, ordered from Brembo directly.
When people get into accidents lol. Probably cheap to fix these things. In 20 years when the headlights and tail lights are faded they'll be easy to fix. Compared to some headlight Assemblies these days costing over 1000 bucks
Looking at the Renault france website it looks like it starts at $23,000 (a 1.17 dollar/euro conversion) when you add the subsidy back in. The 5 is ~$29k without subsidies.
The problem you're looking at is, that the US-Dollar lost a lot of value, so the 18k CHF offer i get, is 23k USD for you.
With subsidy for low-income households, Germans get the 5 for 18k €, so from shady grey importers (with full warranty) i can get the 5 for 16.5k CHF.
Either way, i'm sure there are other Cars that are cheap in the US aswell: Hyundai i10, Kia Piccanto, Dacia Sandero (13k € in Germany as Base), Leapmotors, JAC e-JS1 etc.
Crazy thing is, it would be sub 12k if they built and sold it in china. They have some very nice electric cars with good range for that price and they are featured laden as well.
Crazy thing is, it would be sub 12k if they built and sold it in china. They have some very nice electric cars with good range for that price and they are featured laden as well.
I seriously doubt that: the BYD Seagull is about as cheap as "real" cars get, and that thing has a battery half the size of the Slate, has a motor 1/3 as powerful, is 2 feet shorter and still costs 8k. Being "feature laden" is antithetical to the Slate's design goals but a lot of those features are also relatively cheap to implement if you control them through the screen. The Chinese cycle is insanely generous and if you look at the cars in that price bracket, the cheap trims are almost all rocking far smaller batteries and motors.
I think a fairer cost is 15kish, though the Slate would sell horribly over there, even worse than in the US. And then you'd have to add several grand per car to ship it over to the US (we know from Australia and NZ that cheap cars suffer a bigger % price increase from this than larger cars) and federalised.
I don't think even in a totally free trade world, you're seeing a Slate style truck on sale in the US for under 20k USD.
The Toyota joint venture, the BZ3X will sell for about 13k (in China) and there is nothing particularly minimalistic or de-contented about it. The slate truck could definitely be built and sold in China for 12k...if there was a market for such a pointless vehicle. Bur I agree with you, there is no way it will be under 20k in the US. Probably mid to upper 20k at which point it's dead on arrival.
You are correct. There are a few sources that quote 13K USD which is what I saw initially, but on second view they do not seem very reliable and/or are out of date, the more reliable and up to date sources show 15-16K and up, good catch.
I even don't think pick up truck market in there in China. Truck is still considered a typical work vehicle in whole East Asia, not considered lifestyle vehicle like America and OZ.
Most would still buy their Kei truck or small COE truck like Isuzu Elf over than Slate and other pickup truck models.
It's $27.5k minimum making it the cheapest EV in the marketplace compared to the Bolt at $28k. It's towing capacity is garbage compared to a hyundai venue. It's amenities aren't comparable to a Maverick. It's not good at a lot of things, but it's cheap for what it is and moddable. That's something to some people out there.
Car and driver or somebody did a test drive with the prototype and thats what they quoted. The 20k was the EV rebates added to it. This is all an assumption as the car isnt for sale yet.
That's not really a fair comparison. The Bolt has a real world range of > 200 miles whole the Slate is < 150. Also the Bolt has a radio and power equipment.
I always wanted a truck like this, gas or electric. But the Bolt is at $29K base and that has a radio and everything. So this needs to be a more than a few thousand below that for me.
You know $20k is like nothing now right? My motorcycle cost about that new (not to me). They’re not making barely any money at all on the base vehicle even as is. Their costs involved with making a mass production vehicle street legal are significant. Toyota would struggle to make a profit on that.
It lost me at EV. I can't risk a random fire in in my garage. I know this will get hate but lets face it, they are way harder to extinguish, and they flare up faster than a fire alarm will give you warning for. At lease with an ICE vehicle fire you have a chance to put it out with water or a fire extinguisher.
Realistically if any car catches fire in a garage, no one will be there and the garage is gonna burn with it.
And the likelihood of either a ev or ice car randomly catching fire while parked is extremely low. We're not talking about some cheap lithium battery on a e-scooter
It is too expensive for what it is. If it was cheap enough people could deal with crank windows, but not for the price they are going to ask. They know this too, that's why they are trying to make crank windows a cool marketing thing, like Tom Sawyer and his white fence.
Power windows are more reliable than crank windows too, and lighter. There's very little reason to not install them. It's like a $2 motor, whereas a crank requires a whole belt system and shit.
This would be the only vehicle in the US market sold new with crank windows. At this point crank windows are absolutely not the normal windows buyers expect.
The guy was answering a totally different question with his comment about riding a bike, and what is ridiculous, is that instead of asking questions, you assumed the whole comment was causitive. He never said the windows not working are what caused him to have to take his bike.
No he didn't. Re-read it. He never said "because" and it was not the same sentence. I see why you thought what you did, but it was an incorrect interpretation on your part.
Wagons are glorious though, as long as you don't need the extra ground clearance. Love my forbbiden fruit Suzuki Swace - it's got both Swagger and Grace, I kid you not.
You're full of shit on the first part. I bet I can open all four windows in my car before you even get one open. I can also open and close all four while I'm driving, which I'd love to see you do with manual windows.
And then you act like power windows are a major failing point, which is also bs.
To be fair to the Slate, it does not have 4 windows. Only having 2 and being a compact pickup makes it not that awkward to roll both down. I wouldn't lean over for the passenger side while moving, but it perfectly doable.
I certainly will not argue the speed, I don't know what OP was on about there. But I also don't really think the speed is important. I'm usually parked when working the windows, be they motorized or not.
I wouldn't go out of my way to choose crank windows, but the are not a deal breaker to me. It's just not a critical feature choice to me.
Built a lot of service components, definitely more expensive to produce them. However, thats for late-model vehicles that have existed for decades already. A brand new product entering mass production could absolutely be made cheaper, a molded crank is a lot cheaper than a motor.
But think about future reliability and how easy it will be to fix. A lot of the new vehicles have so many electronics and giant touch screens, when they fail the parts are extremely expensive or just not available.
That is what they say but it is hard to believe with everything being electric. Maybe replacing the radio or speakers, but that's not a big deal. When I think easy to fix I think stuff from the 60's/ 70's when you could stand in the engine bay.
A tangentially related anecdote to the windows. I believe at some point Ferrari released a Stradale or Scuderia version of their mid-engine V8 and actually kept powered windows because retrofitting crank windows would have been heavier.
If it can be “competitive” against Kei trucks it will succeed, but if a maverick is a better bang for your buck it’ll be dead in the water. Obviously it’s not a direct comparison but those seem to be the market segments it will need to be slotted between
The problem with the Slate is that, if you do want it to have any basic modern amenities, it shoots way beyond 25K to become a 35-45K vehicle. A base Maverick starts at 29K and already has said basic modern amenities even before you get carried away with the options. There's just no universe where the Maverick ISN'T better value than the Slate
But you still have an ice engine that will require a ton on maintenance starting year 7. In an EV, it's a dice roll. 80% chance you never need a new battery
The engine will not “require a ton of maintenance starting year 7”. I’m not sure where you pulled this magic number 7 from, but modern cars are extremely reliable and with basic maintenance, will last far longer than that.
If your goal is just "be more capable", doesn't being road legal in all 50 states and capable of going at highway speeds pass that? If you guys are only able to buy old kei trucks it's almost certainly more reliable too, those things are 90% fashion statements (just like Slate)
You said the maverick was better bang for your buck then a new kei truck, new kei trucks can range around $12-15k, they are 1/4 to 1/2 ton rated, limited to 85mph in japan and can drive on highways.
The kei truck offers around 40 cu-ft of bed room. The mav offers 33 cu-ft ignoring the wheel humps.
The maverick doesn’t even compare in bang for your buck, the only things the maverick offers over a kei is load and tow capacity.
The kei truck is no little toy like the US news propaganda would like to insist it is, just because they are small doesn’t mean they are bad.
The only reason we don’t see kei trucks all over is USA regulation, small vehicles can be sold in America, mini and smart have long proved that.
So the slate would need to land between the two, cheaper than the Mav while more capable then the kei in towing and load capacity. We will see, I’m not optimistic.
Id argue the maverick offers more comfort and interior space.... this coming from a 6'5 270lb frame who has driven the Maverick and has sat in a kei truck.... albeit an older one.
The maverick also has more functional interior room than a Tacoma (i cant "sit behind myself" in a Tacoma at all)
In Japan they're cheap yeah, but that's rather useless for a US customer: 2 year old examples range from 14k USD to 22k USD in Australia, which is probably a better comparison (it's roughly the same shipping distance, similar market).
85 mph
Good luck with that mate and that's while empty. I would not drive one on a highway if you value your life, sanity and the time of your fellow motorists.
they are 1/4 to 1/2 ton rated
An Acty or Hijet has a max payload of 350kg, a Maverick has a max payload of around 700kg. I'm sure you can upgrade their capacity a bit but that's extra $$$.
The kei truck offers around 40 cu-ft of bed room. The mav offers 33 cu-ft ignoring the wheel humps.
The Maverick has rear seats to chuck cargo into as well, but yes I agree, kei trucks offer fantastic space for their size.
The maverick doesn’t even compare in bang for your buck, the only things the maverick offers over a kei is load and tow capacity.
Interior amenities, I'd be shocked if a hybrid doesn't get better fuel economy, safety, room for more than 3 people, being usable on a highway...
The kei truck is no little toy like the US news propaganda would like to insist it is, just because they are small doesn’t mean they are bad.
No, they're just very very niche, and for most people are as much of a flex as a top trim F-150. In the inner city or in a retirement village or uni campus, I agree, great for that. But outside of that, they really are just a way to show how quirky and minimalist you are (like the Slate!).
This actual truck is also Maverick sized if you buy the short bed, I believe can take 2 tonnes, can tow 4 tonnes and is about as highway capable as a kei, while being vastly safer and better at around town speeds. If you really wanted to minmax carrying capacity above all else for your business, they're far superior to a kei or a Maverick. I know this because a business I help out has one, and it's just flat out better at hauling large and bulky items than a kei is. But I am yet to see a community of people who desperately want to import Isuzus or Hinos or Kia trucks.
The only reason we don’t see kei trucks all over is USA regulation, small vehicles can be sold in America, mini and smart have long proved that.
Smart went bust in the US, Mini's smallest car is 400mm too long for kei regulations and both have substantially more power than a kei truck does. Smart doesn't even make a Smart Car anymore: the Smart #1 is their smallest car, and it's just a better and cheaper Volvo EX30.
I wouldn’t argue your points as they are valid, I would however disagree with the direction of your argument.
I never claimed kei trucks are “end all be all”. They have distinct disadvantages, some quite problematic.
Some of my points were, small cars did exist in the U.S. market and are possible, financially feasible? Maybe not. But when there’s an opening, people will fill it. Look at how many restaurants open and close in the same locations ad nauseam.
I wouldn’t limit your scope to specifically kei truck restrictions, these are restrictions imposed by the Japanese government, not practicality.
The 2026 Suzuki super carry has a 1.2L engine with a load capacity of 750kg, I would argue this is more than adequate for 95% of consumers in the U.S. market. How many normal folks do you know who have ever pulled a trailer or driven a box truck? Most have never. The super carry fills that need completely while being much cheaper then the current offerings.
80mph in a kei is definitely a rough ride, but that doesn’t mean a slightly larger then kei truck wouldn’t be comfortable at 80, hell we have single cylinder go karts that do 80mph pretty comfortably.
It’s all in the design, a kei-like truck designed for 85 would be fine at 85mph
The cost of kei trucks in Japan are cheap, the cost to import a maverick to Japan would be extremely expensive too.
If we had the market here, the appropriate pricing would follow.
I am no fool, the kei truck is not an American market vehicle and never will be. A kei-like truck however could be and the slate at least pretends to be. I am no conspiracy theorist, however it’s a certain the US big 3 auto manufacturers will certainly protect their bottom line and work against an affordable Everymans truck, especially seeing the absolutely ridiculous pricing on trucks In America right now. The big three have proved this menu times in the past, and will continue to.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not with that commercial flat bed, that’s so far out of the scope of this conversation it makes me question myself for responding to your comment. If you can’t see the issue in your suggestion then I’m afraid this conversation is beyond your scope unfortunately.
I wouldn’t limit your scope to specifically kei truck restrictions, these are restrictions imposed by the Japanese government, not practicality.
Yeah I'd agree with this. Keis exist for a specific market and outside of that, they're not optimal.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not with that commercial flat bed, that’s so far out of the scope of this conversation it makes me question myself for responding to your comment. If you can’t see the issue in your suggestion then I’m afraid this conversation is beyond your scope unfortunately.
Chief, it's what you're proposing. Ignoring the obvious issues with the Super Carry (it's a vehicle designed for the third world, with no AC), what do you think a bigger kei looks like, if not a regular small truck? If you size up a kei truck to the size of a Maverick, you get something like what I posted, because they're trucks. A Hijet, a Super Carry and an Isuzu N class are all different sizes of commercial single cab trucks that are designed to have as much load space as possible, fit 3 people and go at 60mph.
If you want a truck that can go at 80, you're looking at a much longer front end to fit that engine, more cost for both, and also the extra cost to make a cabin that doesn't rattle like hell at speeds above 35. It doesn't need to be a Rolls-Royce but unless you're an enthusiast, doing highway speeds in a small truck is an instant turnoff. (I haven't driven a kei at those speeds, but I have been in that model of box truck I posted. It is incredibly loud and not very comfortable)
I would argue this is more than adequate for 95% of consumers in the U.S. market.
You're arguing that a 1.2L truck with no room for more than 3 and that can't safely do highway speeds is suitable for "95%" of customers, but I'm the one detached from reality? Why in god's good name would you pick that over an equivalent cost 10 year old F-150 or 5 year old Corolla? My man, there is more to if a car is good than "how much cargo room does it have", and it's not like the concept of a box truck but smaller is something alien to the US consumer.
The maverick has a few big advantages over Kei trucks in that they seat 4, pass more modern safety regulations and the big one. They can be bought new and have more readily available parts and service.
I love Kei trucks but they are still 20+ years old and finding parts can be a bitch
Kei trucks can be bought new, just not in the U.S. and since there is no practical way to introduce and sell a new kei truck in the USA, the next best option is to sell a larger compact truck like the slate.
kei trucks only seat 2 but you can buy 2 trucks for the cost of one Mav. Everything has trade offs, kei trucks are far from perfect but the modern reliability and safety standards of new kei trucks are leaps better then the 1990s models.
If kei trucks were sold in the United States, you would see them everywhere. You see people loading Kia’s and old Hondas hatchbacks to the brim with junk, kei trucks would without a doubt sell better then mid or full size trucks in the consumer market, no doubt in my mind.
The practicality, small foot print and affordability would be insane. Every student would drive one, the fuel economy and low cost of ownership would be on par with a scooter. It really is an untapped market but one that’s maybe best left untapped seeing the poor survivability of heavy crashes in ultra compact vehicle.
I have seen that as well, I think it comes down to how much more capable and durable they are than a side by side or utility atv/gator/golf cart, while still being cheaper up front. There’s a pretty decent market for them regardless of street legality
If you're talking about a new kei truck, that's a weird proposition - they're ~$10,500 in Japan (base price of a top trim, automatic Subaru Sambar right now), and a Maverick can't come anywhere close to that.
If you're talking about a new kei truck, that's a weird proposition - they're ~$10,500 in Japan (base price of a top trim, automatic Subaru Sambar right now), and a Maverick can't come anywhere close to that. And as said in another comment, you can't even buy a new road legal one in the US, just severely overpriced ones that are labeled as an LSV (low speed vehicle) for off road use only.
But they’re completely different still. I can cruise with a trailer getting 35 mpg @ 90 mph on my Mav. Doesn’t need to come close because it’s like comparing a side by side with a truck.
That was my point - a kei truck is not really meant to be comparable to a full size car. There's a reason it's priced at slightly less than half the cost.
Really wonder why people wanting Ket trucks, these trucks are really typical work vehicles. It isn't fun to drive in highway, it's worser than real work trim pickup.
I live in a city and have the occasional need to haul stuff like bicycles and home supplies. Even a Maverick (\~200") is a fairly large vehicle for dense urban environments.
I would love to own a Kei truck. Something like the Subura Sambar (\~130") would be amazing for moving around a tight city, and I rarely am hauling a large enough load that I need a "real work" pickup. I make do with a Corolla for 90% of my needs and use delivery services for the other 10%, but it would make lot of stuff easier.
because not everyone needs to go on the highway all the time? my work commute is max speed of 35mph... even then the highways around here are 55mph which these kei trucks can do. now interstates with a posted 70 might be a stretch but fine ban em from interstates like we do mopeds and scooters.
The only thing I can figure is that it's people hunting out the cheapest cost to own option available. It makes me wonder with the direction of the economy if there is any opportunity to bring kei vehicles here now - compared to in the past, stuff like the Jimny, Hustler, and N-One/N-Box might do alright purely on a cost merit alone.
I read about a guy that had one. He said the most annoying thing about it was that anytime he drove it he would spend half his time talking to someone about it.
This I feel is the issue too. There is just not enough on offer here to justify its price. Perhaps putting an ice engine in it would bring the price down while also making it more attractive to a wider range of buyers.
Purchasing vehicles does not have to be rational. This seems very cool. It's very unique and has a lot of customization. I can see people wanting it even up to mid-20s. I would take it at 25 even over a Maverick hybrid if it was the same price.
Hell for the price I paid for my Bronco there were plenty other "better" options. But why the hell would I pay any money for something I don't really want.
Except this is designed to be a budget no frills vehicle. Everything about it is created to be rational down to the penny and you are talking about thousands of dollars in add ons.
The Bronco is actually a good vehicle though. It may not be the best value or most efficient vehicle in its class but Ford’s engineering legacy went in to that car. This looks cool but we’re talking about a hell of a lot of money to throw at a novelty item and I don’t see people being sold by what they’re showing unless the price is extremely subsidized.
I totally get this and if this was a fun 20k sports car I would say that slate could live on people making the non rational choice but the market they have put themselves into isn't that. They are going after people and companies who want cheap trucks and when it comes to that game it is mainly about the numbers and for fleets it is solely a numbers game and if they can't beat out the rest they are just going to get lost in the field and likely die because why choose the slate over a more proven truck if it saves no money. Even if it does save money that question still remains. Overall I think the slate will sell a few to people who find it cool but will have to shut their doors when companies and fleets don't bite like they need them to.
I just feel like the majority of sales will be going to influencers (and rental companies that cater to influencers) that want to larp as minimalist and they will continue to stay as rare as something like the hummer EV on the roads.
The fact they insist on shipping with roll up windows is actually insanity, people want simplicity not inconvenience - there is a fine line between these and differs per person obviously. There is no reason to cut something so cheap, I believe people actually want the reliability that comes from simplicity - so cutting out other random flashy gimmicks that may break or not last make sense. Not a damn window regulator, and the fact the marketing seems centered around that seems just weird to me.
I'm in the minority, but at this point I'm willing to pay extra for less car. I don't want an oversized modern pickup taking up my valuable garage space. I only want a simple, small, single-cab EV pickup.
The minimal isn’t the issue. The question is going to be if the price reflects the level of minimalism. The whole point is to make it affordable. If they can’t do that, they’ve lost the plot.
Joe Just-Needs-a-Truck buys used and will absolutely not buy the ultra bare ones, can't tow at all, doesn't even have a long bed, has short range one just because it's new. They'll choose to get the far, far more practical used truck even if it had 100K miles on it.
People who need affordable buy used. The entire reason for existence behind the Slate is flawed.
I think the kind of people looking at this, if the price did stay around $20k, aren’t the people that need the capability of an F150 or want the fuel economy that comes with it.
I’m picturing someone who is doing like small local deliveries/light jobs or even the sort of person who would otherwise be weighing side-by-side vs kei truck.
the people weighing a kei truck or side by side against a Slate truck are effectively making a decision to buy more than they need on the off-chance they might use it once in a while, like the convenience of you being able to drive into town like you said, or the convenience of having AC or heat while you're out doing things around your property. you don't NEED them but they sure are nice to have sometimes.
people can and will do that same math in their heads when looking at the slate vs any other truck because you don't NEED a radio in your car but i guarantee 99.99% of people like having one. you don't NEED to be able to tow, but if you're the type of person who would tow something it might be nice to have something thats actually designed to tow.
And $20k might be 'cheap' these days for a new vehicle, but $20k is not actually cheap. that is a Major purchase for an average person no matter how you try to qualify it. and the new car market does not exist in a vacuum, it will absolutely be competing with used trucks at every price point in every category.
Not too minimal for me at the right price. My concern is that it’s going to end up being the same price or more than a Maverick that isn’t nearly as bare bones.
The absolute cheapest you can buy the Maverick, with no options or anything special, is a Hamilton below $30k. If Ford did what you suggested they'd probably be out of business in a few years.
My first new vehicle was an 87 Dodge D50 4x4, rebadged Mitsubishi. 4 cylinder naturally aspirated engine about 110hp with a 5 speed. Crank widows no AC and AM/FM radio. Cost right around $9k of i remember correctly. I loved that little truck
If they can get the MSRP at $19995, and actually put base models on the street, they’ll be tremendously successful. People are willing to pay less to get less, and the Maverick launch proved it. A well built, utilitarian vehicle that is not a penalty box at a low price is in high demand. People even bought that nasty little Mitsubishi and the Spark.
People are not willing to pay $35k for basic vehicles with few features and limited capabilities. It has to be cheap, rugged, reliable. Americas fleet is in a period of transition, our average personal transportation is slowly becoming more like Latin American countries, with most people driving older used vehicles or very basic newer ones.
A $19,995 MSRP would make it cheaper than a base Ford Ranger from 25 years ago. If it’s priced in the mid to high 20’s it’s basically in line with inflation over a quarter of a century.
Base Ranger was ~$12,000, which is ~$24,000 today. So if the Slate starts at $27,000 it’s not hugely far off from where we were 27 years ago in terms of what you get for X amount of your money.
If the build quality and ride and drive are good, it’s not a penalty box. Comfortable seats, adequate room, proper ergonomics - things can be plain and still be pleasant.
Americans are not interested in cheap econoboxes. They rather buy a used vehicle than to comprise on a cheap no thrills new car. This is evidenced with the cancellation of the cheap subcompacts like the Versa.
Even tho this ticks the boxes that are always said to be wanted in this sub, every time there’s a post about this truck, it gets absolutely shit on by this sub lol
It costs more than a Ford Maverick, which is a real vehicle with real amenities. The slate truck is dead on arrival if they can't get their price down.
Who willing to pay more than a Ford Maverick and get 150 miles of range, no speakers, no infotainment, and hand roll up windows (this one has to be performative, autorollup windows add almost nothing to the cost of a car)?
The range is what makes it a uniquely poor value to me. Even with the lack of features, 150mi range with questionable thermal management means in a few years it will be unusable.
Exactly. If this thing had impressive range, it would genuinely be a good no-frills car that does what a car should. Current state it just kinda sucks at everything.
Yeah, 150 miles of range is generally not good. Highway miles takes 30% or so off of the top. So it has like 100 miles of range on the highway from 100% to 0% charge. It may be good for someone with a 30-40 mile commute and another family vehicle. But that is unreasonable for a good portion of EV owners.
Yeah, the hybrid maverick's will still get 40mpg and have range over 500 miles. Seems like a tough sell for Slate, which sucks because it looks pretty good.
Nonsense. Frankly this is just an article from the Verge where they're admitting that they simply don't understand something.
It's not far off from the article they released a few weeks ago about the malware riddled streaming box. They loved talking about why people like it, and the MLM type sales structure, but seemingly did no research about the well-known CVE's related to the botnet-encrusted malware machines they sounded really excited about people buying. It's like doing a fashion piece about cigarettes without addressing cancer.
the whole bullshit with the crank windows being a part of the identity was really silly imo. Its clear theyre fully leaning into the smooth brain idea's of any tech at all being bad.
There are some things where you dont need to go back to the stone age in order for it to still be good/reliable.
It is kinda funny watching r/cars constantly shit on this thing despite being the bloat-less car that all claim to want.
I do want to see it succeed, it's a bold idea for a niche that isn't being fully realized. But the EV credits being axed is going to be a massive hurdle to the value proposition.
Everyone seems to ignore the Slate is EV and compares it to the Maverick when there’s a specific business case for a cheap electric truck. The Bolt and Leaf are $30k but no one says “why buy a leaf when a versa is $17k?” It an alternative to a +$50,000 Silverado EV.
Like a portable Bluetooth? Or you need to buy door speakers that connect to Bluetooth? I’m not above bringing my portable speaker with me for the right price
The early pictures and builders had just a portable Bluetooth speaker that you could add as an option with no trims or options for other entertainment systems
If they're pushing the modular angle, why doesn't this thing at least have a standard DIN or double DIN and space left for wiring in basic speakers, even if they're all covered by dummy panels by default? Who's dropping $25K+ on a brand new vehicle to listen to music over their phone and a Bluetooth speaker?
Maybe. Who knows. Minimal and analog is in right now. Old is good, new is bad. I think if you remove the forbidden fruit factor, the Slate is better than a Kei truck. But people aren't always rational.
It's what you get when you have "minimalism" as a fashion statement, not an actual way to reduce cost. No different from those fixie bikes that were so popular with hipsters a while back. I mean, modular interior panels? Really?
Meanwhile, Daihatu e-Hijet/Suzuki e-Every are commercial BEV vans that includes everything Slate took out and still cheaper than the Jeff Bezo's mini truck. Already available, too.
Roll up windows are too minimal? You’re not reaching across the seat of a sedan Deville to roll up the passenger side window. what are now so many complaints about expensive tech failing in new vehicles. I am grateful that it has high tech safety features. I can use my phone and its Internet connection to provide my own entertainment system. I can add a Bluetooth speaker to pump out sounds that the phone just can’t do. I could even use my phone hotspot capability to get a connection for my tablet if I want a big screen to watch YouTube or TikTok. I’m driving a truck and not sitting in my living room or entertainment room listening to my fancy sound system or watching my big screen. I also never understood the concept of fancy leather interior in a pick up truck. finally I’m driving a truck not a four door family hauler to take the kids to the soccer game. Two doors is just fine with me.
No one is going to pay $45k for a truck with 180 miles of range, no backseat, 4’ bed and hand rolled windows unless they’re some asshole content creator. No way this thing goes for $27k. And at $40k it’s dead in the water.
What nobobdy talks about: Why not also create a small electric van out of it and sell it to parcel delivery services. As they are backed by Amazon / Jeff Bezos, create a small panel van version out of it, sell it to Amazon and also try to get other parcel delivery companies like UPS, Fedex, USPS. The wheel base could be also extended the van could be made bigger.
I don't mind the minimalism(most people just use their phones for at least half the usually standard features anyway) just wish they'd make a more capable one for a similar price point like better range & more hauling/towing capacity while still costing under $40k. As it is for the mass truck market it definitely seems niche but as an affordable light duty truck the design has potential.
One, I think that thing is also overpriced. Two, it's not unrealistic to say that a vehicle that's being advertised as having as many modern features as a Gator should cost about as much as a Gator.
It's a highway vehicle, completely different. It's got a sealed cabin with doors, it's designed to protect occupants in a crash, it's got a huge battery by comparison, much more power and payload.
Meh. I’d enjoy ordering some stuff from Crutchfield and installing it. Or just using a Bluetooth speaker.
If it’s one of the cheapest BEVs on the market, with a truck bed, that’s also small enough to park in city parking spaces, it ticks many boxes for me personally. Having an EV for daily around-town use is fantastic, and if I could also run it over to HD, even better.
This should have been a 18k truck. Max. 150m advertised range. Probably closer to 100. If they can’t get this thing under 20 or in the low 20s. It’s dead in the water. I’d love to have one but the range is killing me.
I don’t ever see it becoming a good fleet vehicle. Range is far too low, especially since EVs need a lot of downtime to recharge, and the parts availability will not be there for a long time.
Fleet buyers want proven vehicles with huge parts availability and little downtime. Why buy an experimental EV and take the risk when an XL Maverick is the same price and the parts are there, and every decently sized city in the nation has a Ford dealer to send it to if things go wrong?
I don’t ever see it becoming a good fleet vehicle.
Hilux EV has only slightly better range in the real world, and that's primarily for fleets. I agree Slate falls down at being a "who" brand, but that kind of range shouldn't be an instant deal-breaker
I love pretty much everything about this, and it'd be pretty much perfect for me as I typical day I'm only driving 3-5 miles. But it comes down the price. At 20k, no brainer I'll buy myself on and one for my kid lol. At 25k out the door, probably still go for it. At 27k+...ehhh, over 30k+ nope. Problem will be with accessories or SUV kit it's gonna be top 33k quite often I think.
I think Slate should’ve done more market research to figure out the level of minimalism that people truly wanted versus just thinking there was a huge market for a truck that has practically nothing.
It’s almost as if they perused r/cars and saw enough comments saying “I just wish there could be a barebones truck these days” and assumed it meant there was this silent majority that agreed with it.
I think the reality is more that people want some tech, just not the overly complex suite of tech and nanny features that comes in a lot of today’s vehicles.
A good stereo system is something I think the overwhelming majority of people want. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - ditto. Buttons for most basic functions like volume, tuning, and climate control - yes. A screen that isn’t too small but also isn’t overly huge either - yes (8 inches I think is a good size). Safety features like backup cameras and adaptive cruise control - yes.
Features that people tend to hate: most safety systems that go beyond ACC and parking sensors, subscription services, cellular services, over abundance of screens, etc.
It was interesting when first announced but with how prices have gotten i don't see this doing well at $25k or more. Sub $20k fine as ridiculous as car prices have gotten it isnt bad but when you approach Maverick prices more people will just go with that. It really is crazy we are talking about vehicles with minimal features that start above $20k....
I'm really excited to see if all the people posting about wanting a basic truck will actually put their money down to buy one.
But assuming it will be cheap to buy and cheap to run, I have a feeling we'll see them heavily adopted by any fleet that needs a truck and drives it less than 200 miles a day.
I have a feeling we'll see them heavily adopted by any fleet that needs a truck and drives it less than 200 miles a day.
Any fleet manager that purchases these things in serious quantity should have their resume updated beforehand. They're exposing their employer to insane risk compared to companies with fleet services and, you know, an actual service network.
Glad someone else brought this up there is very little reason for a company to gamble on some new start up truck. To possibly save a bit of money while risking having a whole fleet of trucks that can't be serviced if slate goes under.
They approached my employer about doong so.e design work and becoming a supplier. Things didn't work out, but we might have dodged a bullet.
A coworker asked me about the Slate Truck yesterday, because they wondered if it was a missed opportunity. They didn't realize what the Slate was trying to do, with the barebones approach. They thought the Ford Maverick was definitely the way to go now.
It’s representative of the auto market as a whole which is being way too comfortable charging more money than the product they’re providing. Bring back 15% profit margin norms.
This is the type of car you feel good when you buy it for a bargain. $5-7k. Not $25k. Let’s see if the techbros cosplaying as blue collar workers actually show up to buy this.
It was relying on EV incentives to come in cheaper. At the current price, you can get into vehicles with luxuries like.. radios and paint.. for not much more.
Even at sub 20k, why would you ever choose this over a used vehicle if you were on a budget…
When my 1999 Chevy S10 has more features than it, radio, power windows, and is smaller with a longer bed then absolutely yes it's too minimal. which is sad because I was hoping for a decent ev mini truck instead we are getting a minimalist art project.
Without reading past the headline, yes. This trucks only chance at life is through fleet sales. Mass market consumers aren't going to want the "affordable" version when they realize how basic it is.
The Slate is a concept truck for the time being. There are certain things the mass market, not Reddit, demands such as power windows….and smart phone connectivity.
If they try to sell it as described it’ll be a conversation piece and not much more
hawkeyes007@reddit
Unless it can get sub $20K is dead before it gets to market
ckdx_@reddit
Realistically, is this possible? It doesn’t have the benefit of significant volumes for economies of scale. I can’t see the base spec being less than $35k at launch - and I think you might be right that this may doom it.
Snoo93079@reddit
Has there been reporting that the price has increased from 25 to 35?
thisisthatacct@reddit
Nope, people just pull this number out of their ass every time this car comes up. Slate has consistently said "mid 20's" with a firm price announcement coming in June.
munche@reddit
Every super cheap EV ends up way overshooting it's price goal. Past history and current events say this thing is definitely much more likely to way overshoot it's price goal than undershoot it.
thisisthatacct@reddit
A 30% overshoot is still a wild assumption, especially considering they haven't softened their "mid 20's" language in a year/this close to their pricing announcement. Yeah if it ends up at $35k it'll be dead in the water, but I don't think it will be over 30. There's a solid case for it at $27k.
munche@reddit
The Cybertruck was announced at $39,995 and that was from a company who had made a car before
BGaf@reddit
I thought it was a presumption since the 25k was based on the EV tax credit.
Ah when I look it up it seems they had aimed for under 20k using the tax credit, so until we hear otherwise I think they want to start at 27k.
abattlescar@reddit
I hope to god it's under $30k with its design ethos. The 3rd Gen Nissan Leaf starts right at $30k and it is, by all means, a fully functional electric car now. They want to release this thing without speakers and shit.
hawkeyes007@reddit
Why would anyone buy it at $35K when you can get a maverick for 28K, a Tacoma for $34K, or a Colorado for $35K? If you’re going to sell a stripped down vehicle it has to be at a stripped down price
Shmokesshweed@reddit
The Colorado WT is selling for 25k right now. Yes, 9-10k off MSRP.
https://www.bomninchevrolet.com/new-Miami-2026-Chevrolet-Colorado-WT-1GCPSBEK6T1200006
hawkeyes007@reddit
That’s actually a crazy deal for what you get out of it
Shmokesshweed@reddit
Sure is. Never been a Chevy guy, but the "new" Colorado trims have been created to offer something for every single type of truck buyer and budget. Hats off to them for achieving that.
hawkeyes007@reddit
$25K for a bed, modern safety features, and Apple car play hits about every box I think the average consumer has. If it doesn’t grenade by 100K miles that’s solid
trail-g62Bim@reddit
AFAIK, the turbomax engine is pretty reliable so far. It's smaller than what most people want but it gets the job done.
hawkeyes007@reddit
I’m not a fan of undersized displacement in general but GM can’t make a V8 either lol
hx87@reddit
Hard disagree, L82/L87 are the exception and L8T is one of the best gas truck V8 engines ever made. GM didn't even derate it when installing it in the Express, so you can get a full size van with 401hp from the factory.
RunnerLuke357@reddit
GM is the king of V8s. It's just the cylinder deactivation is completely worthless. My 2011 Chevy WT has AFM deleted (failed at 230K which is a very good run) and is probably about as reliable as it will get.
trail-g62Bim@reddit
And at $25k, it's a fair compromise imo.
DisasterEquivalent@reddit
I feel like Chevy isn’t at the bottom of the rankings, but perhaps close to mid-pack, which ain’t necessarily bad.
FictionalContext@reddit
To me, Chevy's always been the just right option. Fords understeer like an ocean liner and focus on economy, so they feel underpowered af. Dodge is the YOLO engine, weak drive train. And Chevy sits in the slot right between-- generally speaking, of course.
RatherBgolfin@reddit
I think everyone is just mids now. Even Toyota can't get their shit together and I was a fanboy
xrelaht@reddit
Average consumer wants 4wd these days, whether they need it or not.
Turbulent-Throat9962@reddit
True, but that particular dealership is in Miami, where you only (maybe) need 4WD if you’re towing a boat.
ThatbrokeGC8@reddit
I had to go looking for one - sadly in Canada they're still 50k (38k usd) which is the same price as a lightly used full size.
IronSlanginRed@reddit
Even for the full stripper 2wd? I cant see a lot of them being sold in Canada, but thats the cheap one. A crew 4x4 with options can easily be high 30s here too.
ThatbrokeGC8@reddit
https://www.christin.com/new/inventory/2026-Chevrolet-Colorado-id13195072.html
I don't think we actually get the 2wd here actually, but as lose as can be
Riverrattpei@reddit
I checked Chevy's website and the WT is the only one that's available in 2WD but I'm assuming it's pretty much a special order thing
According to Kijiji there's all of 2 available in the whole country right now (For $43,000CAD)
Shmokesshweed@reddit
That's rough.
Ball_Of_Meat@reddit
Yall cmon these listed prices are fake, none of you ever been to a dealership?
They slash 10k and add it right back in non-optional packages when you get there. Then you’re negotiation to get that 8-10k in packages off.
Han-YoLo-@reddit
You absolutely cannot trust the advertised price for vehicles in Florida, and especially not in Miami.
aprtur@reddit
Man, and if you're a conquest customer and Costco member, that's $22,000....stupid cheap.
josephrehall@reddit
I just checked my local dealerships and all 26 WT's are above $32k. If you want 4x4, cheapest I found was $35k.
wildfire98@reddit
im guessing the 4x4 WT is 32k?
hermitcraftfan135@reddit
Jesus that’s a DEAL lmao
apaloosafire@reddit
yeah in my mind they need to be undercutting the maverick for this to be successful
electromage@reddit
Those require gas, are more difficult to repair, and spy on you. I'd take the Slate.
KanterBama@reddit
How is an EV easier to repair than an ICE vehicle? I can buy engine parts for my Toyotas in three different chain auto parts stores, what EV motors can you repair at home?
And if Tesla is any indicator of what things will look like for a new brand: my friend didn’t have her Model S Plaid for weeks because of some dumb control module that failed, Tesla at least gave her a loaner model 3, but these “start up” brands that don’t have the dealer and parts networks will not be competing with ICE OEMs in repairability for decades.
electromage@reddit
A Toyota truck is more repairable by sheer volume, but Slate is repairable by design. They're committed to providing parts, manuals, schematics, etc. The idea being that someone can even make their own parts for it if needed.
If they actually sell though, I think we'll see some common OEM parts and third-parties selling replacements and upgrades. Think Framework laptops.
Tesla as about as anti-right-to-repair as it gets.
Sesemebun@reddit
I like the size and electric drive. Even if it’s not the best bang for buck, it’s what I want
WyrdHarper@reddit
Does the maverick come in a 2-door electric version with a long bed?
hawkeyes007@reddit
The slate only has a 5 ft bed. No one is paying more for less doors on a truck
-GenlyAI-@reddit
I would
hawkeyes007@reddit
Post proof when you get one then
-GenlyAI-@reddit
When I get one what? I have a 2 door Bronco and a 2 door F-150. I could have gotten a four-door of each for same or cheaper if I wanted it.
I didn't say I was buying a slate. But I would take it over a Maverick any day.
cat_prophecy@reddit
Why? The bed is the same size, the capacity is the same or less, and it doesn't even come with a radio. The range is pathetic and so is the power.
Paying more money for less stuff doesn't make you some kind of wise old owl, it makes you a dummy.
-GenlyAI-@reddit
Because I buy vehicles I like, not vehicles that look good on a spreadsheet. Same reason I bought an e30 for the same price I could have bought an e36 or 46, both objectively better cars. Would have been a waste of my money though.
yokramer@reddit
Just like a brown diesel manual wagon Slate will sell a whole total of 4 trucks in that configuration
mada447@reddit
If they'll make it used from the factory I'll buy one
Penguinho@reddit
I think if the base spec is $35k it's toast, because then it's a direct dollar-for-dollar competitor to the Maverick, Ranger, Colorado, Tacoma, Frontier and Santa Cruz, and the customer is one really nice dealer incentive or previous-model-year from bringing Tundras, Silverados, Ram 1500s or F-150s into the comparison too. I don't think it's going to win a feature competition with any truck that currently exists; the sole reason to buy is cost.
NotsoNewtoGermany@reddit
There are people that would prefer a small electric truck over the maverick. Let's hope there are enough of them.
RBR927@reddit
All 7 of them?
Abba_Fiskbullar@reddit
The Slate is aimed at people and businesses in metropolitan areas who need a very small vehicle with low running costs. Slate has said their buyer is a coastal city dweller who wants something the size of an old Tacoma who wants an EV.
Zelderian@reddit
But would they pay the same or more than a maverick for an objectively less useful car? I still love the skate as a concept but if it dips into the $30k range I don’t see how they’d sell any, outside of people buying them because they’re new and cool.
NotsoNewtoGermany@reddit
Yes. Obviously I can't speak for everyone, but I plan on buying one because I don't need something as large as a Rivian, and I want an electric truck. I live in the city, and I find trucks too big to use around here. I also have a house just south of Monterey that I go to sometimes, and it would be perfect for getting around. My father who is in his late 60s likes the idea as well.
I always wanted a truck, but didn't want something big and didn't enjoy paying the price for gas, or maintenance. I bought a Rivian, but it was a bit too big to comfortably use. So slate is exactly where I need it to be. Whether I am important enough to be representative of an entire demographic, that is a big question.
1) Electric Truck. 2) Small. 3) Simple.
That is what I'm after.
demonkeyed@reddit
Isn’t it supposed to be mid 25s? Where is this 35k coming from?
HeyyyyListennnnnn@reddit
They were aiming for $20K with EV tax credit, so $27,500 is the target price. But with inflation and the usual EV start-up issues, $30K is a more reasonable expectation and $35K or higher would be for something with more range than an i-MiEV.
demonkeyed@reddit
The Miev had a range of about 60 miles. The base sub 30k slate had a range of 150 miles. The extended range Slate will have a range of 240 miles.
Crewstage8387@reddit
8 years ago you could get a Ram crew cab tradesman with the V6 for $36K I think a similar truck now is $45K.
HimTiser@reddit
I just got a Laramie 4x2 with the hurricane for $49k in Phoenix, there are some deals to be made out there right now.
electromage@reddit
No, it's not reasonable at all, a John Deere Gator costs more than that.
not_a_gay_stereotype@reddit
One thing to consider is that this thing is gonna be extremely cheap to fix and maintain due to its simplicity
hawkeyes007@reddit
You really can’t work on an EV propulsion system yourself. It won’t need work because the minute anything breaks it’ll be totaled
not_a_gay_stereotype@reddit
I'm talking about the radio, doors, brakes, lights, everything around the drivetrain. EV drivetrains are also generally pretty simple mechanically as well
hawkeyes007@reddit
How often are people replacing their doors? Brakes cost about the same no matter what when compared to similar vehicles. Rotors and pads are rotors and pads
Intel_Oil@reddit
I always wonder why people that work for their own Cars are worried about brakes. A full set for the 991.1 cost me 800 for all Pads and Rotors, ordered from Brembo directly.
not_a_gay_stereotype@reddit
When people get into accidents lol. Probably cheap to fix these things. In 20 years when the headlights and tail lights are faded they'll be easy to fix. Compared to some headlight Assemblies these days costing over 1000 bucks
lumpialarry@reddit
It’s there ANY sub $20k cars other than the Nissan Versa? The cheapest EV is the leaf at $30k
Intel_Oil@reddit
In Europe we get the Renault Twingo. It starts at 18k with a Range of 262km (advertised).
Tbf, the Jump to the Renault 5 isnt that far, which offers way more, starting at 21k.
lumpialarry@reddit
Looking at the Renault france website it looks like it starts at $23,000 (a 1.17 dollar/euro conversion) when you add the subsidy back in. The 5 is ~$29k without subsidies.
Intel_Oil@reddit
The problem you're looking at is, that the US-Dollar lost a lot of value, so the 18k CHF offer i get, is 23k USD for you.
With subsidy for low-income households, Germans get the 5 for 18k €, so from shady grey importers (with full warranty) i can get the 5 for 16.5k CHF.
Either way, i'm sure there are other Cars that are cheap in the US aswell: Hyundai i10, Kia Piccanto, Dacia Sandero (13k € in Germany as Base), Leapmotors, JAC e-JS1 etc.
hawkeyes007@reddit
The leaf has power windows and a radio
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
Crazy thing is, it would be sub 12k if they built and sold it in china. They have some very nice electric cars with good range for that price and they are featured laden as well.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
I seriously doubt that: the BYD Seagull is about as cheap as "real" cars get, and that thing has a battery half the size of the Slate, has a motor 1/3 as powerful, is 2 feet shorter and still costs 8k. Being "feature laden" is antithetical to the Slate's design goals but a lot of those features are also relatively cheap to implement if you control them through the screen. The Chinese cycle is insanely generous and if you look at the cars in that price bracket, the cheap trims are almost all rocking far smaller batteries and motors.
I think a fairer cost is 15kish, though the Slate would sell horribly over there, even worse than in the US. And then you'd have to add several grand per car to ship it over to the US (we know from Australia and NZ that cheap cars suffer a bigger % price increase from this than larger cars) and federalised.
I don't think even in a totally free trade world, you're seeing a Slate style truck on sale in the US for under 20k USD.
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
The Toyota joint venture, the BZ3X will sell for about 13k (in China) and there is nothing particularly minimalistic or de-contented about it. The slate truck could definitely be built and sold in China for 12k...if there was a market for such a pointless vehicle. Bur I agree with you, there is no way it will be under 20k in the US. Probably mid to upper 20k at which point it's dead on arrival.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Where did you get 13k from for the BZ3X? Everything I can see says 109,800 yuan or roughly 16k USD
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
You are correct. There are a few sources that quote 13K USD which is what I saw initially, but on second view they do not seem very reliable and/or are out of date, the more reliable and up to date sources show 15-16K and up, good catch.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Fair enough man, we've all done it
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
I even don't think pick up truck market in there in China. Truck is still considered a typical work vehicle in whole East Asia, not considered lifestyle vehicle like America and OZ.
Most would still buy their Kei truck or small COE truck like Isuzu Elf over than Slate and other pickup truck models.
antonm07@reddit
I don't know about that. I live in the philippines. Most pickup trucks will never see real work
smilysmilysmooch@reddit
It's $27.5k minimum making it the cheapest EV in the marketplace compared to the Bolt at $28k. It's towing capacity is garbage compared to a hyundai venue. It's amenities aren't comparable to a Maverick. It's not good at a lot of things, but it's cheap for what it is and moddable. That's something to some people out there.
robmox@reddit
Curious where you saw this $27.5k estimate? They originally marketing them as “around $20k” when they first started getting the word out.
_FUCKTHENAZIADMINS_@reddit
The 20k estimate was after the $7500 EV rebate
smilysmilysmooch@reddit
Car and driver or somebody did a test drive with the prototype and thats what they quoted. The 20k was the EV rebates added to it. This is all an assumption as the car isnt for sale yet.
cat_prophecy@reddit
That's not really a fair comparison. The Bolt has a real world range of > 200 miles whole the Slate is < 150. Also the Bolt has a radio and power equipment.
Geruvah@reddit
I always wanted a truck like this, gas or electric. But the Bolt is at $29K base and that has a radio and everything. So this needs to be a more than a few thousand below that for me.
Yankee831@reddit
You know $20k is like nothing now right? My motorcycle cost about that new (not to me). They’re not making barely any money at all on the base vehicle even as is. Their costs involved with making a mass production vehicle street legal are significant. Toyota would struggle to make a profit on that.
DL72-Alpha@reddit
It lost me at EV. I can't risk a random fire in in my garage. I know this will get hate but lets face it, they are way harder to extinguish, and they flare up faster than a fire alarm will give you warning for. At lease with an ICE vehicle fire you have a chance to put it out with water or a fire extinguisher.
BGaf@reddit
Ignoring the fact a gas vehicle is 60x more likely to catch fire.
DL72-Alpha@reddit
At least a gas vehicle is easier to put out in comparison.
PanadaTM@reddit
Realistically if any car catches fire in a garage, no one will be there and the garage is gonna burn with it.
And the likelihood of either a ev or ice car randomly catching fire while parked is extremely low. We're not talking about some cheap lithium battery on a e-scooter
DL72-Alpha@reddit
ev car randomly catching fire while parked is extremely low.
There are vehicle transport ships that havev been deemed a total loss from a random EV fire.
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
It is too expensive for what it is. If it was cheap enough people could deal with crank windows, but not for the price they are going to ask. They know this too, that's why they are trying to make crank windows a cool marketing thing, like Tom Sawyer and his white fence.
Jabjab345@reddit
The windows are purely performative, normal windows cannot cost very much.
abattlescar@reddit
Power windows are more reliable than crank windows too, and lighter. There's very little reason to not install them. It's like a $2 motor, whereas a crank requires a whole belt system and shit.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
Crank windows are normal windows.
peakdecline@reddit
This would be the only vehicle in the US market sold new with crank windows. At this point crank windows are absolutely not the normal windows buyers expect.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
People have gone soft.
hx87@reddit
Then soft is normal
opeth10657@reddit
So you ride a bicycle right? Because a powered drivetrain means you've gone soft.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
I do ride a bicycle. Yesterday I had to go buy fuses so I could open the car windows; something that never happens with normal windows.
opeth10657@reddit
So your car doesnt work if the windows don't roll down?
You know how ridiculous that sounds?
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
The guy was answering a totally different question with his comment about riding a bike, and what is ridiculous, is that instead of asking questions, you assumed the whole comment was causitive. He never said the windows not working are what caused him to have to take his bike.
opeth10657@reddit
He said he had to ride his bike to get a fuse because his windows didn't work.
Not sure how you interpreted that in any other way.
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
No he didn't. Re-read it. He never said "because" and it was not the same sentence. I see why you thought what you did, but it was an incorrect interpretation on your part.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
Exactly, I drove my car to get fuses, so that I could open the windows on said car. That commenter is really a presumptuous asshole.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
No, the fucking windows don't work. Are you that dense?
opeth10657@reddit
I forgot that the windows are an important part of the drivetrain.
opeth10657@reddit
And you'll find out how quickly the "I want manual windows" crowd doesn't actually want manual windows once it's for sale.
Similar to the "why don't they sell wagons in the US" crowd
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
Wagons are glorious though, as long as you don't need the extra ground clearance. Love my forbbiden fruit Suzuki Swace - it's got both Swagger and Grace, I kid you not.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
Actually no you won't. Some of us prefer manual windows, because they are faster and rarely fail.
opeth10657@reddit
You're full of shit on the first part. I bet I can open all four windows in my car before you even get one open. I can also open and close all four while I'm driving, which I'd love to see you do with manual windows.
And then you act like power windows are a major failing point, which is also bs.
Teledildonic@reddit
To be fair to the Slate, it does not have 4 windows. Only having 2 and being a compact pickup makes it not that awkward to roll both down. I wouldn't lean over for the passenger side while moving, but it perfectly doable.
Source: have an old pickup with crank windows.
opeth10657@reddit
Just because it's doable doesn't mean it's good. Or faster than powered windows.
I had a truck with manual windows. It sucked.
Teledildonic@reddit
I certainly will not argue the speed, I don't know what OP was on about there. But I also don't really think the speed is important. I'm usually parked when working the windows, be they motorized or not.
I wouldn't go out of my way to choose crank windows, but the are not a deal breaker to me. It's just not a critical feature choice to me.
Electronic_Trade_721@reddit
You just act like an obnoxious asshole.
opeth10657@reddit
Yeah, I'm the asshole for pointing out your bs
Sesemebun@reddit
I thought they were also going for easier maintenance. For the average Joe, mechanical components are easier than electrical
Jabjab345@reddit
How many people have to really maintain motorized windows? That's an incredibly rare maintenance item, and not incredibly difficult anyways.
mulletstation@reddit
Power windows plus the assemblies and motors is about $140/window at supplier level
biggsteve81@reddit
And how much are crank windows?
cat_prophecy@reddit
Probably more than that because the assemblies aren't readily available. If it's something they designed then it is definitely more expensive.
SledgexHammer@reddit
Built a lot of service components, definitely more expensive to produce them. However, thats for late-model vehicles that have existed for decades already. A brand new product entering mass production could absolutely be made cheaper, a molded crank is a lot cheaper than a motor.
KyleSherzenberg@reddit
But by a design aspect, unless they didn't try it out in one of the prototypes, it's too late for that. Deliveries are in a couple of months, no?
not_a_gay_stereotype@reddit
But think about future reliability and how easy it will be to fix. A lot of the new vehicles have so many electronics and giant touch screens, when they fail the parts are extremely expensive or just not available.
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
It's an electric car, it will probably be impossible to fix. It's all software locked behind pay walls.
not_a_gay_stereotype@reddit
These guys making it want you to be able to fix it tho
Tiny-Art7074@reddit
That is what they say but it is hard to believe with everything being electric. Maybe replacing the radio or speakers, but that's not a big deal. When I think easy to fix I think stuff from the 60's/ 70's when you could stand in the engine bay.
willpc14@reddit
A tangentially related anecdote to the windows. I believe at some point Ferrari released a Stradale or Scuderia version of their mid-engine V8 and actually kept powered windows because retrofitting crank windows would have been heavier.
opeth10657@reddit
Pretty sure the Lotus Elise, the car that is all about lightness, had power windows.
Riverrattpei@reddit
It had both but the power windows were the lighter of the two
Riverrattpei@reddit
Both Lotus and Porsche have said the same thing, it's not like it's the 80's where you need a 5lb motor for each window
RobinsShaman@reddit
Window forearm exerciser-no charge
EnthusiasmOnly22@reddit
Only if they price it poorly which they will because they can’t actually make it at a reasonable price for the compromises
ErectionEngineering@reddit
150 mile range is doa. I’d seriously consider something like this, even for 25k, if the range was at least 400.
FangNut@reddit
If it has a problem with being minimal, it'll be that it's too minimal for the price being asked for it.
joemike@reddit
If it can be “competitive” against Kei trucks it will succeed, but if a maverick is a better bang for your buck it’ll be dead in the water. Obviously it’s not a direct comparison but those seem to be the market segments it will need to be slotted between
CarsPlanesTrains@reddit
The problem with the Slate is that, if you do want it to have any basic modern amenities, it shoots way beyond 25K to become a 35-45K vehicle. A base Maverick starts at 29K and already has said basic modern amenities even before you get carried away with the options. There's just no universe where the Maverick ISN'T better value than the Slate
gravis1982@reddit
But you still have an ice engine that will require a ton on maintenance starting year 7. In an EV, it's a dice roll. 80% chance you never need a new battery
ragana@reddit
Wut?
The engine will not “require a ton of maintenance starting year 7”. I’m not sure where you pulled this magic number 7 from, but modern cars are extremely reliable and with basic maintenance, will last far longer than that.
gravis1982@reddit
Starting at year 7 probably to year 20 you'll have to replace almost every part on the car and by year 25 you will replace the entire car.
On an electric car you have an 80% chance of not doing anything but brakes and washer fluid
CarsPlanesTrains@reddit
The peak of reliability, the 2011 Nissan Leaf
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
A Maverick usually is better bang for your buck than a new kei truck though
Reddit-mods-R-mean@reddit
You can’t buy a new kei truck in America. The slate has to be more capable then a kei and cheaper then a maverick. If either of those slip, it’s dead.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
If your goal is just "be more capable", doesn't being road legal in all 50 states and capable of going at highway speeds pass that? If you guys are only able to buy old kei trucks it's almost certainly more reliable too, those things are 90% fashion statements (just like Slate)
Reddit-mods-R-mean@reddit
You said the maverick was better bang for your buck then a new kei truck, new kei trucks can range around $12-15k, they are 1/4 to 1/2 ton rated, limited to 85mph in japan and can drive on highways.
The kei truck offers around 40 cu-ft of bed room. The mav offers 33 cu-ft ignoring the wheel humps.
The maverick doesn’t even compare in bang for your buck, the only things the maverick offers over a kei is load and tow capacity.
The kei truck is no little toy like the US news propaganda would like to insist it is, just because they are small doesn’t mean they are bad.
The only reason we don’t see kei trucks all over is USA regulation, small vehicles can be sold in America, mini and smart have long proved that.
So the slate would need to land between the two, cheaper than the Mav while more capable then the kei in towing and load capacity. We will see, I’m not optimistic.
thegudgeoner@reddit
Id argue the maverick offers more comfort and interior space.... this coming from a 6'5 270lb frame who has driven the Maverick and has sat in a kei truck.... albeit an older one.
The maverick also has more functional interior room than a Tacoma (i cant "sit behind myself" in a Tacoma at all)
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
In Japan they're cheap yeah, but that's rather useless for a US customer: 2 year old examples range from 14k USD to 22k USD in Australia, which is probably a better comparison (it's roughly the same shipping distance, similar market).
Good luck with that mate and that's while empty. I would not drive one on a highway if you value your life, sanity and the time of your fellow motorists.
An Acty or Hijet has a max payload of 350kg, a Maverick has a max payload of around 700kg. I'm sure you can upgrade their capacity a bit but that's extra $$$.
The Maverick has rear seats to chuck cargo into as well, but yes I agree, kei trucks offer fantastic space for their size.
Interior amenities, I'd be shocked if a hybrid doesn't get better fuel economy, safety, room for more than 3 people, being usable on a highway...
No, they're just very very niche, and for most people are as much of a flex as a top trim F-150. In the inner city or in a retirement village or uni campus, I agree, great for that. But outside of that, they really are just a way to show how quirky and minimalist you are (like the Slate!).
This actual truck is also Maverick sized if you buy the short bed, I believe can take 2 tonnes, can tow 4 tonnes and is about as highway capable as a kei, while being vastly safer and better at around town speeds. If you really wanted to minmax carrying capacity above all else for your business, they're far superior to a kei or a Maverick. I know this because a business I help out has one, and it's just flat out better at hauling large and bulky items than a kei is. But I am yet to see a community of people who desperately want to import Isuzus or Hinos or Kia trucks.
Smart went bust in the US, Mini's smallest car is 400mm too long for kei regulations and both have substantially more power than a kei truck does. Smart doesn't even make a Smart Car anymore: the Smart #1 is their smallest car, and it's just a better and cheaper Volvo EX30.
Reddit-mods-R-mean@reddit
I wouldn’t argue your points as they are valid, I would however disagree with the direction of your argument.
I never claimed kei trucks are “end all be all”. They have distinct disadvantages, some quite problematic.
Some of my points were, small cars did exist in the U.S. market and are possible, financially feasible? Maybe not. But when there’s an opening, people will fill it. Look at how many restaurants open and close in the same locations ad nauseam.
I wouldn’t limit your scope to specifically kei truck restrictions, these are restrictions imposed by the Japanese government, not practicality.
The 2026 Suzuki super carry has a 1.2L engine with a load capacity of 750kg, I would argue this is more than adequate for 95% of consumers in the U.S. market. How many normal folks do you know who have ever pulled a trailer or driven a box truck? Most have never. The super carry fills that need completely while being much cheaper then the current offerings.
80mph in a kei is definitely a rough ride, but that doesn’t mean a slightly larger then kei truck wouldn’t be comfortable at 80, hell we have single cylinder go karts that do 80mph pretty comfortably.
It’s all in the design, a kei-like truck designed for 85 would be fine at 85mph
The cost of kei trucks in Japan are cheap, the cost to import a maverick to Japan would be extremely expensive too.
If we had the market here, the appropriate pricing would follow.
I am no fool, the kei truck is not an American market vehicle and never will be. A kei-like truck however could be and the slate at least pretends to be. I am no conspiracy theorist, however it’s a certain the US big 3 auto manufacturers will certainly protect their bottom line and work against an affordable Everymans truck, especially seeing the absolutely ridiculous pricing on trucks In America right now. The big three have proved this menu times in the past, and will continue to.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not with that commercial flat bed, that’s so far out of the scope of this conversation it makes me question myself for responding to your comment. If you can’t see the issue in your suggestion then I’m afraid this conversation is beyond your scope unfortunately.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Yeah I'd agree with this. Keis exist for a specific market and outside of that, they're not optimal.
Chief, it's what you're proposing. Ignoring the obvious issues with the Super Carry (it's a vehicle designed for the third world, with no AC), what do you think a bigger kei looks like, if not a regular small truck? If you size up a kei truck to the size of a Maverick, you get something like what I posted, because they're trucks. A Hijet, a Super Carry and an Isuzu N class are all different sizes of commercial single cab trucks that are designed to have as much load space as possible, fit 3 people and go at 60mph.
If you want a truck that can go at 80, you're looking at a much longer front end to fit that engine, more cost for both, and also the extra cost to make a cabin that doesn't rattle like hell at speeds above 35. It doesn't need to be a Rolls-Royce but unless you're an enthusiast, doing highway speeds in a small truck is an instant turnoff. (I haven't driven a kei at those speeds, but I have been in that model of box truck I posted. It is incredibly loud and not very comfortable)
You're arguing that a 1.2L truck with no room for more than 3 and that can't safely do highway speeds is suitable for "95%" of customers, but I'm the one detached from reality? Why in god's good name would you pick that over an equivalent cost 10 year old F-150 or 5 year old Corolla? My man, there is more to if a car is good than "how much cargo room does it have", and it's not like the concept of a box truck but smaller is something alien to the US consumer.
dabocx@reddit
The maverick has a few big advantages over Kei trucks in that they seat 4, pass more modern safety regulations and the big one. They can be bought new and have more readily available parts and service.
I love Kei trucks but they are still 20+ years old and finding parts can be a bitch
Reddit-mods-R-mean@reddit
Kei trucks can be bought new, just not in the U.S. and since there is no practical way to introduce and sell a new kei truck in the USA, the next best option is to sell a larger compact truck like the slate.
kei trucks only seat 2 but you can buy 2 trucks for the cost of one Mav. Everything has trade offs, kei trucks are far from perfect but the modern reliability and safety standards of new kei trucks are leaps better then the 1990s models.
If kei trucks were sold in the United States, you would see them everywhere. You see people loading Kia’s and old Hondas hatchbacks to the brim with junk, kei trucks would without a doubt sell better then mid or full size trucks in the consumer market, no doubt in my mind.
The practicality, small foot print and affordability would be insane. Every student would drive one, the fuel economy and low cost of ownership would be on par with a scooter. It really is an untapped market but one that’s maybe best left untapped seeing the poor survivability of heavy crashes in ultra compact vehicle.
The slate would do very well if it fits that gap.
xrelaht@reddit
I’ve seen lots of fleet vehicle kei trucks lately. Feels like institutional buyers have discovered they’re a good option.
What_the_8@reddit
That’s surprising given their age and limited parts availability due to sharing no parts with domestic vehicles.
joemike@reddit
I have seen that as well, I think it comes down to how much more capable and durable they are than a side by side or utility atv/gator/golf cart, while still being cheaper up front. There’s a pretty decent market for them regardless of street legality
Sprayy@reddit
Im about to grab one in Canada. Can get a nice one for 6K USD. Perfect mini garage toy for dump runs.
aprtur@reddit
If you're talking about a new kei truck, that's a weird proposition - they're ~$10,500 in Japan (base price of a top trim, automatic Subaru Sambar right now), and a Maverick can't come anywhere close to that.
aprtur@reddit
If you're talking about a new kei truck, that's a weird proposition - they're ~$10,500 in Japan (base price of a top trim, automatic Subaru Sambar right now), and a Maverick can't come anywhere close to that. And as said in another comment, you can't even buy a new road legal one in the US, just severely overpriced ones that are labeled as an LSV (low speed vehicle) for off road use only.
Yankee831@reddit
But they’re completely different still. I can cruise with a trailer getting 35 mpg @ 90 mph on my Mav. Doesn’t need to come close because it’s like comparing a side by side with a truck.
aprtur@reddit
That was my point - a kei truck is not really meant to be comparable to a full size car. There's a reason it's priced at slightly less than half the cost.
Yankee831@reddit
Yeah I agree just adding more context. Poor wording choice on my end.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Really wonder why people wanting Ket trucks, these trucks are really typical work vehicles. It isn't fun to drive in highway, it's worser than real work trim pickup.
Raveen396@reddit
I live in a city and have the occasional need to haul stuff like bicycles and home supplies. Even a Maverick (\~200") is a fairly large vehicle for dense urban environments.
I would love to own a Kei truck. Something like the Subura Sambar (\~130") would be amazing for moving around a tight city, and I rarely am hauling a large enough load that I need a "real work" pickup. I make do with a Corolla for 90% of my needs and use delivery services for the other 10%, but it would make lot of stuff easier.
InsertBluescreenHere@reddit
because not everyone needs to go on the highway all the time? my work commute is max speed of 35mph... even then the highways around here are 55mph which these kei trucks can do. now interstates with a posted 70 might be a stretch but fine ban em from interstates like we do mopeds and scooters.
aprtur@reddit
The only thing I can figure is that it's people hunting out the cheapest cost to own option available. It makes me wonder with the direction of the economy if there is any opportunity to bring kei vehicles here now - compared to in the past, stuff like the Jimny, Hustler, and N-One/N-Box might do alright purely on a cost merit alone.
geronika@reddit
I read about a guy that had one. He said the most annoying thing about it was that anytime he drove it he would spend half his time talking to someone about it.
anynamesleft@reddit
Astute analysis. Given the current climate, I'm liking the idea of the truck, but only time, and the market will tell.
not_a_gay_stereotype@reddit
To be fair look at how easy this thing is gonna be to maintain and repair though.
redneckbuddah@reddit
This I feel is the issue too. There is just not enough on offer here to justify its price. Perhaps putting an ice engine in it would bring the price down while also making it more attractive to a wider range of buyers.
Small_Ad_4808@reddit
No
Ball_Of_Meat@reddit
Well said, truly inspiring
PROfessorShred@reddit
Exactly, Make it $10k and you'll see millions of these on the streets.
-GenlyAI-@reddit
Purchasing vehicles does not have to be rational. This seems very cool. It's very unique and has a lot of customization. I can see people wanting it even up to mid-20s. I would take it at 25 even over a Maverick hybrid if it was the same price.
Hell for the price I paid for my Bronco there were plenty other "better" options. But why the hell would I pay any money for something I don't really want.
PROfessorShred@reddit
Except this is designed to be a budget no frills vehicle. Everything about it is created to be rational down to the penny and you are talking about thousands of dollars in add ons.
mumbo1134@reddit
The Bronco is actually a good vehicle though. It may not be the best value or most efficient vehicle in its class but Ford’s engineering legacy went in to that car. This looks cool but we’re talking about a hell of a lot of money to throw at a novelty item and I don’t see people being sold by what they’re showing unless the price is extremely subsidized.
chimmey17@reddit
I totally get this and if this was a fun 20k sports car I would say that slate could live on people making the non rational choice but the market they have put themselves into isn't that. They are going after people and companies who want cheap trucks and when it comes to that game it is mainly about the numbers and for fleets it is solely a numbers game and if they can't beat out the rest they are just going to get lost in the field and likely die because why choose the slate over a more proven truck if it saves no money. Even if it does save money that question still remains. Overall I think the slate will sell a few to people who find it cool but will have to shut their doors when companies and fleets don't bite like they need them to.
bmgyvr@reddit
Found the Slate employee
-GenlyAI-@reddit
The one and only
PumpkinNo4869@reddit
I just feel like the majority of sales will be going to influencers (and rental companies that cater to influencers) that want to larp as minimalist and they will continue to stay as rare as something like the hummer EV on the roads.
The fact they insist on shipping with roll up windows is actually insanity, people want simplicity not inconvenience - there is a fine line between these and differs per person obviously. There is no reason to cut something so cheap, I believe people actually want the reliability that comes from simplicity - so cutting out other random flashy gimmicks that may break or not last make sense. Not a damn window regulator, and the fact the marketing seems centered around that seems just weird to me.
OutInABlazeOfGlory@reddit
My main problem is Bezos has a stake in it now. There are few men on Earth I hate more.
Even if it were a really compelling product, that would give me pause.
It’s the same reason that even if Teslas didn’t kind of suck at things that are important to me, I wouldn’t buy one.
Top_Midnight_2225@reddit
Buyers have shown that they want more features in their vehicles.
No different than enthusiasts screaming for sportier cars, and then finding any reason under the sun to shit on it and not buy it.
pdp10@reddit (OP)
What EV did you buy instead?
Top_Midnight_2225@reddit
I didn't. Ended up with a Ford Maverick.
My next car will be the Mach-E, or IONIQ5.
Unless the Slate comes in decently prices, but in all honesty I'm expecting the same as the Cybertruck.
Over promise and under deliver. I hope I'm very wrong.
OldRed91@reddit
I'm in the minority, but at this point I'm willing to pay extra for less car. I don't want an oversized modern pickup taking up my valuable garage space. I only want a simple, small, single-cab EV pickup.
ButtfuckerTim@reddit
No.
The minimal isn’t the issue. The question is going to be if the price reflects the level of minimalism. The whole point is to make it affordable. If they can’t do that, they’ve lost the plot.
peakdecline@reddit
Joe Just-Needs-a-Truck buys used and will absolutely not buy the ultra bare ones, can't tow at all, doesn't even have a long bed, has short range one just because it's new. They'll choose to get the far, far more practical used truck even if it had 100K miles on it.
People who need affordable buy used. The entire reason for existence behind the Slate is flawed.
andolfin@reddit
even in the "cant tow" department, its competing against whats left of the old ford ranger fleet.
Adjective_Noun1312@reddit
The recent Rangers with the tow package can handle 7500 lb. That's a car hauler with a Suburban on it.
The_Mosephus@reddit
hell, even the new ranger is competing. I'm seeing plenty of sub-100k mile 2019-2020 rangers for sale on cargurus in the 16k-20k range.
The_Mosephus@reddit
Mr. Joe just-needs-a-truck will just buy a used f150 for less than 20k and it will come with all the "luxuries" that the slate doesnt, like a radio.
nobody who "just needs a car/truck" is cross shopping brand new EVs from a manufacturer that nobody has ever heard of.
ButtfuckerTim@reddit
I think the kind of people looking at this, if the price did stay around $20k, aren’t the people that need the capability of an F150 or want the fuel economy that comes with it.
I’m picturing someone who is doing like small local deliveries/light jobs or even the sort of person who would otherwise be weighing side-by-side vs kei truck.
The_Mosephus@reddit
the people weighing a kei truck or side by side against a Slate truck are effectively making a decision to buy more than they need on the off-chance they might use it once in a while, like the convenience of you being able to drive into town like you said, or the convenience of having AC or heat while you're out doing things around your property. you don't NEED them but they sure are nice to have sometimes.
people can and will do that same math in their heads when looking at the slate vs any other truck because you don't NEED a radio in your car but i guarantee 99.99% of people like having one. you don't NEED to be able to tow, but if you're the type of person who would tow something it might be nice to have something thats actually designed to tow.
And $20k might be 'cheap' these days for a new vehicle, but $20k is not actually cheap. that is a Major purchase for an average person no matter how you try to qualify it. and the new car market does not exist in a vacuum, it will absolutely be competing with used trucks at every price point in every category.
CromulentPoint@reddit
Not too minimal for me at the right price. My concern is that it’s going to end up being the same price or more than a Maverick that isn’t nearly as bare bones.
NotoriousCFR@reddit
If Ford had any brain cells at all they'd make an EV version of the Maverick and probably scoop up 90% of potential Slate buyer.
KSoMA@reddit
The absolute cheapest you can buy the Maverick, with no options or anything special, is a Hamilton below $30k. If Ford did what you suggested they'd probably be out of business in a few years.
SkellyJelly33@reddit
Lowest MSRP is a couple of benjamins under $30k, but it's not 2022 anymore and you can get them under MSRP these days
charmanderSosa@reddit
Well this is exactly what Ford is working on.
Inflame@reddit
This is exactly what the new small ev truck is.
ICantDecideIt@reddit
Crazy but I honestly think an ev maverick would actually take more than 90% of slate buyers
CartoonistAnnual4672@reddit
it definitely would as long as the ev platform is good. people trust the ford brand for trucks and it would have way more features than the slate
CartoonistAnnual4672@reddit
they're making a new 30k EV truck right now. it's supposed to come out next year.
pdp10@reddit (OP)
Let's not forget that the Slate is a BEV, and the hybrid Maverick doesn't have a PHEV option.
CromulentPoint@reddit
Yeah, it’s not apples-to-apples, but when we’re talking hand crank windows and no stereo… that’s a tough comparison.
Mathblasta@reddit
The no stereo is a killer for me, especially because it's (speakers, etc) not something you can easily install yourself.
Personally, I'd value that at about $5k-$7500. As in it would have to be that much cheaper than a near competitor for me to choose it.
dabocx@reddit
At 40 mpg I’m not sure it’s that it’s a huge hit. Plus the maverick has 4 doors, power windows and a stereo.
cat_prophecy@reddit
The Maverick hybrid is efficient enough that it might not matter.
invltrycuck@reddit
My first new vehicle was an 87 Dodge D50 4x4, rebadged Mitsubishi. 4 cylinder naturally aspirated engine about 110hp with a 5 speed. Crank widows no AC and AM/FM radio. Cost right around $9k of i remember correctly. I loved that little truck
nashuanuke@reddit
was this article written by the industry?
The_World_Is_A_Slum@reddit
If they can get the MSRP at $19995, and actually put base models on the street, they’ll be tremendously successful. People are willing to pay less to get less, and the Maverick launch proved it. A well built, utilitarian vehicle that is not a penalty box at a low price is in high demand. People even bought that nasty little Mitsubishi and the Spark.
People are not willing to pay $35k for basic vehicles with few features and limited capabilities. It has to be cheap, rugged, reliable. Americas fleet is in a period of transition, our average personal transportation is slowly becoming more like Latin American countries, with most people driving older used vehicles or very basic newer ones.
CallLivesMatter@reddit
A $19,995 MSRP would make it cheaper than a base Ford Ranger from 25 years ago. If it’s priced in the mid to high 20’s it’s basically in line with inflation over a quarter of a century.
12345skroobcase@reddit
According to google, “$20,000 in 2001 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $36,904.01 in 2026,”
CallLivesMatter@reddit
Base Ranger was ~$12,000, which is ~$24,000 today. So if the Slate starts at $27,000 it’s not hugely far off from where we were 27 years ago in terms of what you get for X amount of your money.
12345skroobcase@reddit
True. But you said at 19,995 it would be cheaper than a base ranger from 25 years ago.
CallLivesMatter@reddit
It would be. Base from 1999 was $12,200, or $24,500 in current dollars. 19,995 < 24,500
12345skroobcase@reddit
Ah, I see what you mean now.
whale-tail@reddit
What part of crank windows and no radio makes this not a penalty box?
The_World_Is_A_Slum@reddit
If the build quality and ride and drive are good, it’s not a penalty box. Comfortable seats, adequate room, proper ergonomics - things can be plain and still be pleasant.
newglarus86@reddit
Americans are not interested in cheap econoboxes. They rather buy a used vehicle than to comprise on a cheap no thrills new car. This is evidenced with the cancellation of the cheap subcompacts like the Versa.
samzplourde@reddit
God damn EVs are heavy.
gravis1982@reddit
No. Drives no maintenance and cheap. Sells a million
MarshXI@reddit
Is this comment section filled with Ford Bots? Never seen so many similar comments.
Thee_Sinner@reddit
Even tho this ticks the boxes that are always said to be wanted in this sub, every time there’s a post about this truck, it gets absolutely shit on by this sub lol
Jabjab345@reddit
It costs more than a Ford Maverick, which is a real vehicle with real amenities. The slate truck is dead on arrival if they can't get their price down.
Who willing to pay more than a Ford Maverick and get 150 miles of range, no speakers, no infotainment, and hand roll up windows (this one has to be performative, autorollup windows add almost nothing to the cost of a car)?
DrSpaceman575@reddit
The range is what makes it a uniquely poor value to me. Even with the lack of features, 150mi range with questionable thermal management means in a few years it will be unusable.
Ball_Of_Meat@reddit
Exactly. If this thing had impressive range, it would genuinely be a good no-frills car that does what a car should. Current state it just kinda sucks at everything.
llamacohort@reddit
Yeah, 150 miles of range is generally not good. Highway miles takes 30% or so off of the top. So it has like 100 miles of range on the highway from 100% to 0% charge. It may be good for someone with a 30-40 mile commute and another family vehicle. But that is unreasonable for a good portion of EV owners.
AdventurousFox9651@reddit
Yeah, the hybrid maverick's will still get 40mpg and have range over 500 miles. Seems like a tough sell for Slate, which sucks because it looks pretty good.
cat_prophecy@reddit
How does it get away with having no screens if backup cameras are a requirement?
ICantDecideIt@reddit
Probably put in the rear view mirror
Jabjab345@reddit
They put it in the instrument cluster I believe.
CalculatorClicker@reddit
Nonsense. Frankly this is just an article from the Verge where they're admitting that they simply don't understand something.
It's not far off from the article they released a few weeks ago about the malware riddled streaming box. They loved talking about why people like it, and the MLM type sales structure, but seemingly did no research about the well-known CVE's related to the botnet-encrusted malware machines they sounded really excited about people buying. It's like doing a fashion piece about cigarettes without addressing cancer.
Cordura@reddit
If it comes to Denmark I'm buying one in the most barebones version, but with the SUV roof.
I fucking love the Slate truck.
But I also love my 1970 SIIa Land Rover which all in all is just a three-seated tractor
sittingonagraycouch@reddit
Couldn't I just buy a short bed single cab GMT800 and call it a day?
Snoo_50786@reddit
the whole bullshit with the crank windows being a part of the identity was really silly imo. Its clear theyre fully leaning into the smooth brain idea's of any tech at all being bad.
There are some things where you dont need to go back to the stone age in order for it to still be good/reliable.
Seamus-Archer@reddit
It’s a truck built for what redditors claim they want and sales will prove redditors are liars.
Teledildonic@reddit
It is kinda funny watching r/cars constantly shit on this thing despite being the bloat-less car that all claim to want.
I do want to see it succeed, it's a bold idea for a niche that isn't being fully realized. But the EV credits being axed is going to be a massive hurdle to the value proposition.
ZaheerAlGhul@reddit
It needs space for a double din radio
lumpialarry@reddit
Everyone seems to ignore the Slate is EV and compares it to the Maverick when there’s a specific business case for a cheap electric truck. The Bolt and Leaf are $30k but no one says “why buy a leaf when a versa is $17k?” It an alternative to a +$50,000 Silverado EV.
KeepersDiary@reddit
I think as long as it can get around $20,000 with incentives it's going to do great. The modularity is awesome.
KittehKittehKat@reddit
To even compete with current used/lower end trucks this thing would have to start at 15k and I don’t see that happening.
Spicywolff@reddit
As long as it has Bluetooth, electric windows, back up cam I’d be happy with a super low MSRP. Would be nice apple CarPlay and android auto.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
Bad news: it doesn't standard.
Good news: you can cancel your gym membership.
EddieMcClintock@reddit
Manual windows were super easy to use. No gym membership required.
willpc14@reddit
The driver's window is easy to use. It's the other three that are, at best, a pain in the ass to use.
EddieMcClintock@reddit
Yes, I'd agree that it's a matter of length, not girth.
Spicywolff@reddit
Yah they were. My dad’s jeep XJ, Toyota pickup hand windy windows. I miss the little smokers glass the windows had too
Spicywolff@reddit
Well that does suck but at their price goal, entirely understandable. It’s not that I can’t wind windows, it’s that I’ve gotten use to electric.
yokramer@reddit
It has Bluetooth if you buy their Bluetooth speaker with it.
Spicywolff@reddit
Like a portable Bluetooth? Or you need to buy door speakers that connect to Bluetooth? I’m not above bringing my portable speaker with me for the right price
yokramer@reddit
The early pictures and builders had just a portable Bluetooth speaker that you could add as an option with no trims or options for other entertainment systems
Spicywolff@reddit
Sounds like I’ll stick to my portable Bluetooth speaker lol. Like HS all over again.
pdp10@reddit (OP)
It has crank windows. And a small two-seater is the vehicle where that's a reasonable choice.
Backup camera is legally required in the U.S.
Spicywolff@reddit
Windy windows not as nice, but at this price goal. I absolutely get the manual window offering. Cool, I’m all for back up cam
ReasonToGiveUp@reddit
The problem is the price, the lack of money the average person makes and the lack of clarity with SLATE
TheFavorista@reddit
If they're pushing the modular angle, why doesn't this thing at least have a standard DIN or double DIN and space left for wiring in basic speakers, even if they're all covered by dummy panels by default? Who's dropping $25K+ on a brand new vehicle to listen to music over their phone and a Bluetooth speaker?
eldredo_M@reddit
So much will depend on the price.
Minimal and new for less than $25k? A hit.
Minimal and bare bones for $28k? Too much competition that will seem better.
Coffeeisforclosers_@reddit
Would love this to come to the UK
pbb76@reddit
Needs to be under 20k and ice. Just like the maverick was supposed to be.
Rough_Cancel7265@reddit
Maybe. Who knows. Minimal and analog is in right now. Old is good, new is bad. I think if you remove the forbidden fruit factor, the Slate is better than a Kei truck. But people aren't always rational.
BuddyLove4Life@reddit
The key was an interesting choice
TraviZ06@reddit
Too expensive
varezhka11@reddit
It's what you get when you have "minimalism" as a fashion statement, not an actual way to reduce cost. No different from those fixie bikes that were so popular with hipsters a while back. I mean, modular interior panels? Really?
Meanwhile, Daihatu e-Hijet/Suzuki e-Every are commercial BEV vans that includes everything Slate took out and still cheaper than the Jeff Bezo's mini truck. Already available, too.
fckingclownshoes@reddit
It all depends on the price.
ikilledtupac@reddit
those things will never see the street
jjbeach908@reddit
Roll up windows are too minimal? You’re not reaching across the seat of a sedan Deville to roll up the passenger side window. what are now so many complaints about expensive tech failing in new vehicles. I am grateful that it has high tech safety features. I can use my phone and its Internet connection to provide my own entertainment system. I can add a Bluetooth speaker to pump out sounds that the phone just can’t do. I could even use my phone hotspot capability to get a connection for my tablet if I want a big screen to watch YouTube or TikTok. I’m driving a truck and not sitting in my living room or entertainment room listening to my fancy sound system or watching my big screen. I also never understood the concept of fancy leather interior in a pick up truck. finally I’m driving a truck not a four door family hauler to take the kids to the soccer game. Two doors is just fine with me.
_windfish_@reddit
It's too small and too expensive. Unfortunately. Because it's a cool concept.
sonnytron@reddit
No one is going to pay $45k for a truck with 180 miles of range, no backseat, 4’ bed and hand rolled windows unless they’re some asshole content creator. No way this thing goes for $27k. And at $40k it’s dead in the water.
SeljD_SLO@reddit
Old Dacia model, offer bare minimum with options that everyone will choose
alfredadamski@reddit
What nobobdy talks about: Why not also create a small electric van out of it and sell it to parcel delivery services. As they are backed by Amazon / Jeff Bezos, create a small panel van version out of it, sell it to Amazon and also try to get other parcel delivery companies like UPS, Fedex, USPS. The wheel base could be also extended the van could be made bigger.
BadMantaRay@reddit
It was competitive at 20k.
Sea_Perspective6891@reddit
I don't mind the minimalism(most people just use their phones for at least half the usually standard features anyway) just wish they'd make a more capable one for a similar price point like better range & more hauling/towing capacity while still costing under $40k. As it is for the mass truck market it definitely seems niche but as an affordable light duty truck the design has potential.
GaviFromThePod@reddit
This truck would be an interesting concept if it were $15-20k.
electromage@reddit
What new EV can you get for $15k? It's not realistic to hold them to that standard. This thing costs more than that!
willpc14@reddit
One, I think that thing is also overpriced. Two, it's not unrealistic to say that a vehicle that's being advertised as having as many modern features as a Gator should cost about as much as a Gator.
electromage@reddit
It's a highway vehicle, completely different. It's got a sealed cabin with doors, it's designed to protect occupants in a crash, it's got a huge battery by comparison, much more power and payload.
mondaymoderate@reddit
Even at that price I don’t think it’d be a hit. I think it needs to be under 15k to get people interested.
dolt1234@reddit
“Are people going to realize they don’t need 99% of the crap we sell them?!”
cat_prophecy@reddit
Well there is stuff you "don't need", then there is the lack of radio that they will then happily sell you as an extra.
It's not about minimalism, it's about being cheap.
sfo2@reddit
Meh. I’d enjoy ordering some stuff from Crutchfield and installing it. Or just using a Bluetooth speaker.
If it’s one of the cheapest BEVs on the market, with a truck bed, that’s also small enough to park in city parking spaces, it ticks many boxes for me personally. Having an EV for daily around-town use is fantastic, and if I could also run it over to HD, even better.
Luis12285@reddit
This should have been a 18k truck. Max. 150m advertised range. Probably closer to 100. If they can’t get this thing under 20 or in the low 20s. It’s dead in the water. I’d love to have one but the range is killing me.
Metalsheepapocalypse@reddit
With the way gas prices are going it may still have a fighting chance
Bicycle_Dude_555@reddit
Can't you buy a Honda Civic, which is quite large, fast, luxurious, and fuel efficient for the same price?
OldArtichoke433@reddit
There is no true value proposition here without EV incentives pushing this well below the price of the Ford Mavericks.
Where I would see this possibly being successful is commercial fleet vehicles if the price ever turns out to be right.
SeaboarderCoast@reddit
I don’t ever see it becoming a good fleet vehicle. Range is far too low, especially since EVs need a lot of downtime to recharge, and the parts availability will not be there for a long time.
Fleet buyers want proven vehicles with huge parts availability and little downtime. Why buy an experimental EV and take the risk when an XL Maverick is the same price and the parts are there, and every decently sized city in the nation has a Ford dealer to send it to if things go wrong?
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Hilux EV has only slightly better range in the real world, and that's primarily for fleets. I agree Slate falls down at being a "who" brand, but that kind of range shouldn't be an instant deal-breaker
Bosfordjd@reddit
I love pretty much everything about this, and it'd be pretty much perfect for me as I typical day I'm only driving 3-5 miles. But it comes down the price. At 20k, no brainer I'll buy myself on and one for my kid lol. At 25k out the door, probably still go for it. At 27k+...ehhh, over 30k+ nope. Problem will be with accessories or SUV kit it's gonna be top 33k quite often I think.
chrisgoesbleh2@reddit
Their profit is minimal. They know they have to charge +30k for a “minimal” product
FrenchBreadRebellion@reddit
all this country needs is a FORD Ranger. Not some microwave.
pdp10@reddit (OP)
Which country is that? Australia, Thailand, the UK and the U.S. get a FORD Ranger.
FrenchBreadRebellion@reddit
America obviously, thats where we live!
electromage@reddit
So get a Ford Ranger...
The_World_Is_A_Slum@reddit
I want the Australian Ranger Super Duty with the 2.7 gas motor.
DocPhilMcGraw@reddit
I think Slate should’ve done more market research to figure out the level of minimalism that people truly wanted versus just thinking there was a huge market for a truck that has practically nothing.
It’s almost as if they perused r/cars and saw enough comments saying “I just wish there could be a barebones truck these days” and assumed it meant there was this silent majority that agreed with it.
I think the reality is more that people want some tech, just not the overly complex suite of tech and nanny features that comes in a lot of today’s vehicles.
A good stereo system is something I think the overwhelming majority of people want. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - ditto. Buttons for most basic functions like volume, tuning, and climate control - yes. A screen that isn’t too small but also isn’t overly huge either - yes (8 inches I think is a good size). Safety features like backup cameras and adaptive cruise control - yes.
Features that people tend to hate: most safety systems that go beyond ACC and parking sensors, subscription services, cellular services, over abundance of screens, etc.
mondaymoderate@reddit
This made me laugh
OkSchool619@reddit
Duh, its also THOUSANDS of dollars.
Practical-Courage812@reddit
It was interesting when first announced but with how prices have gotten i don't see this doing well at $25k or more. Sub $20k fine as ridiculous as car prices have gotten it isnt bad but when you approach Maverick prices more people will just go with that. It really is crazy we are talking about vehicles with minimal features that start above $20k....
sheep_duck@reddit
No
8N-QTTRO@reddit
I'm really excited to see if all the people posting about wanting a basic truck will actually put their money down to buy one.
But assuming it will be cheap to buy and cheap to run, I have a feeling we'll see them heavily adopted by any fleet that needs a truck and drives it less than 200 miles a day.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
Any fleet manager that purchases these things in serious quantity should have their resume updated beforehand. They're exposing their employer to insane risk compared to companies with fleet services and, you know, an actual service network.
chimmey17@reddit
Glad someone else brought this up there is very little reason for a company to gamble on some new start up truck. To possibly save a bit of money while risking having a whole fleet of trucks that can't be serviced if slate goes under.
Seeker80@reddit
They approached my employer about doong so.e design work and becoming a supplier. Things didn't work out, but we might have dodged a bullet.
A coworker asked me about the Slate Truck yesterday, because they wondered if it was a missed opportunity. They didn't realize what the Slate was trying to do, with the barebones approach. They thought the Ford Maverick was definitely the way to go now.
UserM16@reddit
If it had an extended cab I would consider it at $20k.
zoo32@reddit
Yes. People get romantic about manual, wind up windows and no built-in screen, but that’s going to suck in real world use cases
aaronuu7@reddit
Ford Maverick beats this thing in every department I was rooting for Slate to shake up the market too. I wonder if they will last
ApoptosisPending@reddit
It’s representative of the auto market as a whole which is being way too comfortable charging more money than the product they’re providing. Bring back 15% profit margin norms.
ApoptosisPending@reddit
25k is crazy
honeyroastedbbq@reddit
This is the type of car you feel good when you buy it for a bargain. $5-7k. Not $25k. Let’s see if the techbros cosplaying as blue collar workers actually show up to buy this.
PretendLength1710@reddit
ngl if they ask 35k for a bare bones truck this thing's cooked. stripped down only works when the sticker actually feels stripped down.
costafilh0@reddit
No. Just too expensive.
OkBurner777@reddit
It was relying on EV incentives to come in cheaper. At the current price, you can get into vehicles with luxuries like.. radios and paint.. for not much more.
Even at sub 20k, why would you ever choose this over a used vehicle if you were on a budget…
brianwhite12@reddit
I love the idea, plus dyi warranty work.
legoalert@reddit
When my 1999 Chevy S10 has more features than it, radio, power windows, and is smaller with a longer bed then absolutely yes it's too minimal. which is sad because I was hoping for a decent ev mini truck instead we are getting a minimalist art project.
jorsiem@reddit
No one is buying 2 door trucks apart from fleets.
Also the Ford Maverick exist, has 4 doors, has good fuel economy and has the support of a company that's over 100 years old.
peaked-at-7@reddit
Without reading past the headline, yes. This trucks only chance at life is through fleet sales. Mass market consumers aren't going to want the "affordable" version when they realize how basic it is.
Academic-Look-333@reddit
If it was at least an extended cab version at the same price, I would seriously consider it.
NotoriousCFR@reddit
Not when it was "$20k". Without the incentive, at 27.5k, it's crap
greenranger_max@reddit
Post smells Jewish
Alpine_Exchange_36@reddit
The Slate is a concept truck for the time being. There are certain things the mass market, not Reddit, demands such as power windows….and smart phone connectivity.
If they try to sell it as described it’ll be a conversation piece and not much more
r3dk0w@reddit
Its problem is that it doesn't exist yet. Quit talking about it and start selling them!
SalesAficionado@reddit
Dead on arrival