Bezos-backed company promises to build America's cheapest Pick-Up… but it cuts some corners

[1srelluc]

MSN

Sadly it's an EV.

A new automaker is aiming to disrupt the American truck market with ultra-low pricing... but get ready for a vehicle missing the latest creature comforts.

Slate, a startup with billionaire backing, plans to build America's most affordable pickup truck with a $25,000 starting price.

If federal $7,500 EV incentives remain in place, the Slate could become the only car in the US market under $20,000.

To keep costs low, the company tells DailyMail.com they've axed standard tech found in most cars — and returned to some automotive basics.

Slate's pickup features crank windows, physical buttons and dials, and no speakers or digital screens on base models. Instead, it has a phone holder and charging point next to the steering wheel.

All trucks come in a single gray metal finish, reminiscent of the Ford Model T. Drivers can customize the truck with manufacturer-supplied wraps to cover the grey exoskeleton.

The company's vision is to offer an alternative for Americans fed up with sky-high prices and screen-saturated driving experiences.

'The definition of what’s affordable is broken,' the company's CEO, Chris Barman, said.

Sigh, should have gone with bench seating with a fold down console.

They might have something if it was a gasser. 150 mile range? No thanks.

 

[Moonglow]

I stopped buying the new autos when the cigarette lighters were taken out.

 

[odanny]

150 mile range is fine for daily commutes, most people have at least 2 cars. This is a great addition to the EV market because it purposely keeps costs low, without all the unnecessary comforts that make most of these unaffordable.

More people will buy EV's when they become priced like this one. I'm wondering where it will be built, and if this will roll off the Rivian assermbly line with their delivery trucks.

 

[1srelluc]

150 mile range is fine for daily commutes, most people have at least 2 cars. This is a great addition to the EV market because it purposely keeps costs low, without all the unnecessary comforts that make most of these unaffordable.

More people will buy EV's when they become priced like this one. I'm wondering where it will be built, and if this will roll off the Rivian assermbly line with their delivery trucks.

Put a load of firewood on it and see how far it goes.....You know doing PU stuff with it.

LOL.....That and when the truck bros lift it and put 35s on it.

I sort of like the idea of just producing it in gray but as an EV it's just disappointing.

Godspeed on the project (creates jobs) but remember, Bezos could not sell the Fire Phone.

I think if Ford would sell a bare bone (gasser) Ranger they would sell them as fast as they could produce them.

 

[lg325]

I am a bench seat guy myself. I like the self roll up windows. I also wish it was a gasser. No mention of power.

 

[Blaster]

Will Democrats key those trucks?

 

[odanny]

I think if Ford would sell a bare bone (gasser) Ranger they would sell them as fast as they could produce them.

No question, you would see one everywhere, they all want to increase their profit margins to the point it depresses sales. I don't think most 4 wheel drive owners, including SUV's, are ever taken off road, so this pickup definitely has a market, and hauling stuff in this is perfect for furniture and bicycles, things most people use trucks for.

I would be a player for under $20K for sure, but I am very aware of the problems Rivian is having getting vehicles off the line, from people who work there (or used to, as the "churn" at Rivian means a lot of turnover there)

That's what gets me about "bringing back" manufacturing when I see the trouble done at an actual manufacturing facility. People constantly coming and going.

 

[odanny]

I am a bench seat guy myself. I like the self roll up windows. I also wish it was a gasser. No mention of power.

Yea, like the old Jeep Wranglers that came off the assembly line, hell, my 97 Wrangler did not have power windows or electric door locks, no power seats, it was great, I loved it.

 

[1srelluc]

No question, you would see one everywhere, they all want to increase their profit margins to the point it depresses sales. I don't think most 4 wheel drive owners, including SUV's, are ever taken off road, so this pickup definitely has a market, and hauling stuff in this is perfect for furniture and bicycles, things most people use trucks for.

I would be a player for under $20K for sure, but I am very aware of the problems Rivian is having getting vehicles off the line, from people who work there (or used to, as the "churn" at Rivian means a lot of turnover there)

The problem is that Bezos is looking for .gov welfare with the $7500 EV credit remaining in place to get to that price point.

I should not have to subsidize an EV in the name of bogus climate chance BS.

 

[Mac-7]

MSN

Sadly it's an EV.

A new automaker is aiming to disrupt the American truck market with ultra-low pricing... but get ready for a vehicle missing the latest creature comforts.

Slate, a startup with billionaire backing, plans to build America's most affordable pickup truck with a $25,000 starting price.

If federal $7,500 EV incentives remain in place, the Slate could become the only car in the US market under $20,000.

To keep costs low, the company tells DailyMail.com they've axed standard tech found in most cars — and returned to some automotive basics.

Slate's pickup features crank windows, physical buttons and dials, and no speakers or digital screens on base models. Instead, it has a phone holder and charging point next to the steering wheel.

All trucks come in a single gray metal finish, reminiscent of the Ford Model T. Drivers can customize the truck with manufacturer-supplied wraps to cover the grey exoskeleton.

The company's vision is to offer an alternative for Americans fed up with sky-high prices and screen-saturated driving experiences.

'The definition of what’s affordable is broken,' the company's CEO, Chris Barman, said.

Sigh, should have gone with bench seating with a fold down console.

They might have something if it was a gasser. 150 mile range? No thanks.

We need to remove the $7,500 tax giveaway

 

[1srelluc]

At least it's not gonna look like a dildo like the spaceship he made.

As to stripped - it's stripped. That's the point. You then charge extra for the speakers and windows etc.

It's not about the cost - it's about the market price. Same cost for the unpopular feature reduced model, as the better one - but everyone wants the better one and you make your margin at a $1000 higher price for the $100 worth of upgrade.

Sadly, a lot of folks (mostly in their 40s-50s) really want a rolling sofa with a bunch of dino juice horsepower......Most of those folks never even owned a car or PU without those creature comforts.

 

[Zincwarrior]

Put a load of firewood on it and see how far it goes.....You know doing PU stuff with it.

Why would they do that?

I like this idea. Not especially keen on an EV with low range, but the concept of less pricey cars? I am there. Vehicles are transport to me at my age. I want it cheap and I want it reliable. it reminds me of my first Nissan. No frills but an AC. But it was damned tank.

 

[1srelluc]

Why would they do that?

I like this idea. Not especially keen on an EV with low range, but the concept of less pricey cars? I am there. Vehicles are transport to me at my age. I want it cheap and I want it reliable. it reminds me of my first Nissan. No frills but an AC. But it was damned tank.

My first PU was a '51 Willys PU......Talk about no frills!

LOL.....It did not look that good though.

 

[odanny]

Sadly, a lot of folks (mostly in their 40s-50s) really want a rolling sofa with a bunch of dino juice horsepower......Most of those folks never even owned a car or PU without those creature comforts.

It could just as easily go the other way, but it is engineered into the buying process. Want a new vehicle? Please pick from one of the entertainment packages, cause you are getting one, along with every other creature comfort, standard.

Provide consumers with an alternate choice has not been an option in the industry, so it must be a profitable (business) model.

 

[Zincwarrior]

This car was a tank. Stick shift. No auto anything. Had it for over 200K miles. The thing just would not die.

 

[odanny]

My first PU was a '51 Willys PU......Talk about no frills!

LOL.....It did not look that good though.

The only better looking truck to me was the Dodge Power Wagon, a retro remake would be such a huge success

 

[odanny]

This car was a tank. Stick shift. No auto anything. Had it for over 200K miles. The thing just would not die.

View attachment 1104206

OMG, when I was in the Army, you saw one of these on every corner. I have to guess this is an early 90's Nissan? I remember buying a brand new Mitsubishi Precis for a little over $10K and I think your car was the same price brand new. What was the model?

 

[Zincwarrior]

OMG, when I was in the Army, you saw one of these on every corner. I have to guess this is an early 90's Nissan? I remember buying a brand new Mitsubishi Precis for a little over $10K and I think your car was the same price brand new. What was the model?

1988. Ours was a 1987 or 1986, cheapest version. If I could get a new one now for $10K I would practically cry.

 

[odanny]

1988. Ours was a 1987 or 1986, cheapest version. If I could get a new one now for $10K I would practically cry.

What was the model? The time line fits, I was thinking 1989-1990. I can't tell you how many of those cars I saw driving around Ft. Carson, everyone had one.

 

[Zincwarrior]

What was the model? The time line fits, I was thinking 1989-1990. I can't tell you how many of those cars I saw driving around Ft. Carson, everyone had one.

Nissan sentra. Right about the time they changed to Nissan from Datsun.