r/slateauto

I know Slate is developing their own custom wrap facility. Typically, a quality wrap (expensive) can last 5 years, maybe a few more if treated like a show car. Most look good for 3-5 years.

I'm wondering what Slate's long term plan is once the production wraps start to fail on the vehicles? I can't imagine owners will want to pay thousands to get a new wrap.

I just saw a clip of this on one of the cable news shows citing the Wall Street Journal. They mentioned the truck was being developed "in secret" but that reporters have already seen the development mule.

I found a link on Car and Driver that details some of the effort. I used that link because it isn't pay-walled (Wall Street Journal is pay-walled).

Needless to say, if Slate enters the market at anything over $27k, this Ford would probably kill it if it is released for only $3k more with twice the range.

Key is that Ford says its designed to compete against more expensive EVs and Chinese EVs (cheaper) which is kinda contradicting. They also said it's designed for "repairability" and that seems to target the Slate a bit.

I love the idea of the customizations that can be done on a Slate, which I highly doubt Ford will offer. So for me, there's still a compelling argument for Slate. But the mass market may just want a cheap (relatively) EV pickup truck which will stifle demand for Slate vs Ford.

Thoughts?

gonna see some bullheaded, simple thinking people! Of all ilks! People still talking about wrapping the truck costing THOUSANDS... when 100 people have explained that it's pre cut vinyl and take off panels. Still quoting "thousands" to wrap it. WTF??????? 😄

Times-Union Article:
https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/news-slate-first-deliveries-could-begin-in-december-reservation-distribution-info-coming-june-22.14764/

Great news. Just 1 month until reservation / distribution info. And would be some accomplishment if they manage to start deliveries in 2026, even if at very end.

Something that I've been thinking about is wether or not it's a good idea to buy a first gen Slate, as more than likely it will some growing pains that will take time to get sorted out. Do any of you plan on waiting to purchase a later revision/refresh or just plan on getting the first model anyways and rolling with the punches?

I put in my reservation because I want a compact, affordable SINGLE CAB pickup truck. It makes no difference to me whether it's powered by gas/diesel, electric or discarded coffee grounds.

Anyone else in the same situation?

All electric vehicles produced after 2021 for the US market must make an audible tone to warn pedestrians when under 19 MPH. This serves to give the same heads up that a vehicle is moving that you'd get from the sound of the engine running, with tire and wind noise being considered enough above 20 MPH.

Every demo I can find of the slate moving has it be silent. This will not be true of the production slate. So what do we think it's going to sound like?

THE FACTORY IS WARMING UP.
Hello from Warsaw, IN! We're on track to start production and deliveries at the end of the year, so here's a little progress report:
100% of the body shop robots have been installed. Automation cells are the individual robotic workstations that handle each step. They’re all installed and operational.
The trim line installation is well underway. This is where components like wiring, seats, and windows get installed. We’re also making progress with our quality inspection equipment, like the four-post shaker, which simulates all the vibrations and bumps the Slate Truck will experience on the road.
We’re already producing vehicle parts. They’re being used in final test phases to ensure we deliver a quality Truck before making the real thing.THE FACTORY IS WARMING UP. Hello from Warsaw, IN! We're on track to start production and deliveries at the end of the year, so here's a little progress report:100% of the body shop robots have been installed. Automation cells are the individual robotic workstations that handle each step. They’re all installed and operational.The trim line installation is well underway. This is where components like wiring, seats, and windows get installed. We’re also making progress with our quality inspection equipment, like the four-post shaker, which simulates all the vibrations and bumps the Slate Truck will experience on the road. We’re already producing vehicle parts. They’re being used in final test phases to ensure we deliver a quality Truck before making the real thing.

Lets say it costs 4K for a fairly inexpensive paint job and 1000 for the wrap.

The wrap lasts 5 years

Over the course of 20 years you will spend the same amount. However, if you invest the money you dont spend on paint, you will on average have 1.5K in the market for the 20 years.

The market doubles every 7 years so in 20 years you get about 3 doubles. The 1.5K becomes 6K. So really the wrap was free.

Of course not doing anything you save 4K and that gets 3 doubles and becomes 32K in 20 years.

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/clean-cars-4-all/about

> For 2026, the federal poverty level (FPL) for a single individual in the 48 contiguous states is $15,960 annually

3 x $15,960 = $47,880