Slate Truck

[buckland]

A very interesting "what's next" ...like a Volkswagen bug ...a people's truck ... When you hear who the people are behind this venture there is no lack of knowledge, experience, and gumption. It is a fun watch and I think, in the markets ahead, it might just succeed. A 1450 pound payload can carry a lot.

 

[Vic Harder]

very cool.

 

[AWG_Pics]

I want one. I have not said that about any vehicle for a long time. And I have never said that about an electric vehicle. It should do well.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

If this is the Google truck, starting price is mid $20k. Leon should have some nervous twitch.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

I've been watching it with interest. There's some speculation that Bezos will market it through Amazon; he has money invested in the Slate company.

I think it would make a neat truck to have around the property. It isn't 4WD but that it's a deal breaker to me. I'd use it as a simple pickup to use to work around my land and home, run trash to the dump, a go to town to get gas cans and propane cylinders filled. I couldn't care less if it only goes 150 miles per charge, takes all night to charge on 120V (though I have 240V available), has roll up windows, manual adjust mirrors, no sound system and only comes in gray.

However, a Kei category Japanese truck can be had for far less money, often comes with a dump bed, and most have 4WD and dual range transfer cases. So I'm keeping them on my radar. I wasn't sure if they could be licensed to run the street in Nevada, but last Saturday I saw one in town, sporting Nevada plates, so apparently it can be done.

 

[OutToLunch]

While I like the simplicity, I was turned off by the plastic body panels and the involvement of Jeff Bezos. I was more impressed with the Telo truck, which is the size of a Mini, has more towing, payload and range. It is more expensive than the Slate. If I was going to replace my work truck/dog truck (a 2004 2WD Ford Ranger) probably go Telo, but I’m not.

 

[buckland]

SageBrush. I have a 1991 Kei truck and it is a dump truck. Locking differential 4WD Hi/Lo ...basic. I love it so much I rarely drive my camper truck! Great around the property and going to dump/supplies. I imported it from auction in Japan. very cheap. It only had 41k miles on it.
I like the concept of this Slate. No bells and whistles... I like that ...If I want entertainment (usually not) I bring the iPad/iPhone. manual windows are great imo. I would consider it as a local working vehicle for sure. I do wish is was 4WD and that is necessary in the hills I live in in winter.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

SageBrush. I have a 1991 Kei truck and it is a dump truck. Locking differential 4WD Hi/Lo ...basic. I love it so much I rarely drive my camper truck! Great around the property and going to dump/supplies. I imported it from auction in Japan. very cheap. It only had 41k miles on it.
I like the concept of this Slate. No bells and whistles... I like that ...If I want entertainment (usually not) I bring the iPad/iPhone. manual windows are great imo. I would consider it as a local working vehicle for sure. I do wish is was 4WD and that is necessary in the hills I live in in winter.

There's plenty found on the auction site, Bring A Trailer. It's a super fun site to visit anyway, as there's hundreds of vehicles of all kinds, makes, models and from the earliest self propelled vehicles to modern supercars up for bid every day. Stuff of dreams and nostalgia.

https://bringatrailer.com/auctions/

 

[CPT Davenport]

This has potential for a high risk, high reward investment opportunity. I will be following updates of when Slate may go public. I have had good success with forward thinking, startups like this. Joby aviation for one has served me well.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

A very interesting "what's next" ...like a Volkswagen bug ...a people's truck ... When you hear who the people are behind this venture there is no lack of knowledge, experience, and gumption. It is a fun watch and I think, in the markets ahead, it might just succeed. A 1450 pound payload can carry a lot.

Pretty interesting Rob. Reminds my of the Yugo car but much better quality.
Frank

 

[buckland]

Ah the Hugo.... that was a disaster !! Certainly this does better!!

 

[PaulT]

Ah, yes. The Yugo and I’ll stay at home.

 

[buckland]

And another Truck built in USA coming soon. Electric. 360 mile range. Over 500HP (!). Four wheel drive. Seats 5 passengers 6'2'. folding back wall to bed (5ft) which allows a full 4'x 8' sheet of plywood flat on the bed. The list is long. This video was done by Jay Leno.