For the last few weeks, we’ve been running a sidebar survey asking Electrek readers if they thought the new, affordable Slate electric truck was going to succeed in the ultra-competitive US market. After receiving nearly 3,000 responses, here’s what you told us.
In case you missed the survey, the question read, “With Slate Auto’s pricing finally revealed, the back-to-basics truck is OFFICIALLY one of the most affordable new vehicles you can buy – but will that low price drive demand? In other words: is Slate going to make it?”
Given the huge amounts of excitement surrounding the Jeff Bezos-backed brand of affordable trucks, that may have seemed like an odd question. The results, however, show a complicated picture, and takes into account some serious market competition from Ford – and we’re not talking about the $30,000 electric pickup expected to debut next year, either!
“At $25k, plus destination, these are basically the same price as a Maverick with Ford’s current ‘A plan for everyone‘ pricing,” wrote Mark Horning. “By the time I add a spare tire to the Slate, the Mav is cheaper.”
Another commenter, Erik, was quick to back him up. “It is also a lot smaller than a Maverick,” he added. “Compared to what a Maverick offered when it launched for $20k, this is not a good deal yet. This is probably more for former Scion buyers.”
Mark and Erik aren’t just technically correct (the best kind of correct), they’re actually underselling the Ford’s market advantage. The Maverick, although ICE-powered, offers OEM-levels of tech, a fully integrated infotainment system, four real doors, and a well-established nationwide dealer network of factory-trained technicians to work on the things – all very real things that will end up in most people’s “pro” columns.
The pros and cons are pretty close
With 1,553 “maybe” or “no” votes compared to 1,239 “absolutely” or “yes” votes, it seems like demand for a low-cost, low-tech pickup truck with thousands of customization options might be more limited than compact sport truck enthusiasts (however few of there still are) might have originally hoped.
“The problem is that most people who want a truck either desire a land yacht so that they can feel bigger and more capable than others, or need something that they can trust to be reliable and that they can be confident will have after market support long term,” wrote one commenter going by S25510. “The Slate could handle a lot of urban work truck jobs but will enough commercial buyers trust that the company will be around and/or have service options close enough? It’s going to be a hard sale unless they can secure some high profile contracts like Rivian did.”
Other commenters made similar comparisons:
I canceled my pre order. The hatchback conversion kit was the reason for me. It was too expensive, considering, I can get a lot more for my money elsewhere. I understand I will lose my modularity but I just couldn’t stomach it. I still want it. But I will wait for real world reviews first.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Slate’s compact truck, however. Several of the 1,200+ believers went to the comments, where they echo’ed S25510’s thoughts about high-profile contracts and big fleet buyers acting as potential saviors for the fledgling EV brand:
I think it will be huge for business and fleets. Plus younger people starting or taking over businesses and older people that just want a small truck. That 35 to 55 demo I’m not sure. I’m not sure that many people will switch the styles often. But jeeps still sometime have doors taken off. Along with roof sections and covers. People that have hard roofs roadsters and t-tops sometimes take them off. So I suppose people are already doing that sort of thing. The ability to change it will help sell it. But it’s possible that people will feel nickle and dimed for a higher spec SUV and go elsewhere. I think they will sell tons of the blank slate. Plus roof options that make sense for fleets and commercial activities. Beyond that Im not sure. The open source nature I believe will help it. And could even help sell it. It will probably only take a few creative skilled people showing off what they have done for people that were skeptical to see an accessory and use case they could use.
All that said, it’s rare enough for us to get nearly 3,000 responses to one of these surveys. That alone should tell you that there are a lot of eyes on Slate Auto – and their success, regardless of what you think the odds of that are – would almost certainly be a wake-up call to manufacturers adding tech (and cost) for tech’s sake.
Original content from Electrek.
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