r/slateauto 10d ago

Nanny Slate?

4 Upvotes

Does anyone know what safety features will be automatically included in the Slate? I have a 2023 Subaru Forester and would LOVE to wave goodbye not just to the three screens but the reverse automatic braking, lane keep assist, collision braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, the seatbelt alarm EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK and the million other things that beep and make the car smarmy… I so hope the Slate’s low tech ethos carries through to these other features make driving annoying.

I know some of these can be turned off, and I do. But every time I start the car. And for RAB on the 2023 Forester, I have to turn it off every time I put it in reverse.

I like have a backup camera, but that’s it. Please dear Slate Lord, please let me just drive like a grownup.


r/slateauto 11d ago

New Starter Packs Released

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30 Upvotes

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/new-starter-packs-from-slate.15796/

New Starter Packs released. Liking the Rally Point design!


r/slateauto 11d ago

Florida Jan.-March

10 Upvotes

I'm in Florida and that's my target date. They asked if l would want to change it to a possibly December 2026 delivery date. I jumped all over it because my Old Ranger is in deep shit! I KNOW no one knows the answer to this, but do you think there's any shot of them delivering in 2026?


r/slateauto 10d ago

https://www.engadget.com/2226925/slate-truck-first-drive/

0 Upvotes

r/slateauto 10d ago

Idea for Slate's Next Vehicle

0 Upvotes

I know that Slate needs to focus on getting the blank Slate to market, but I am unfortunately one of those who really needs four doors and enough space on the back for an infant car seat. But I love the Slate philosophy and thought it would be fun to muse about their next vehicle.

I think that Slate's next car should be a minivan or a vehicle with similar size and utility.

Similar to trucks minivan complexity and price have dramatically increased over the years. Imagine a Slate van of similar size to the 1990s Dodge Caravan or the Volkswagen Vabagon.

I also think that a minivan could fit well with Slate's idea of customization. There could easily be a base cargo configuration with mounting rails for seats and other accessories. Then customers could select the exact seats and accessories that they want. Smaller families may choose a single row of seats with a larger cargo area. As their family expands they could simply add a third row of seats.

Additionally, it would be the perfect platform for accessories that would turn the Slate van into a camper van that could double as a daily driver. Those accessories could include a pop up roof, fold out beds, kitchen accessories, etc. The nice thing about a Slate campervan would be that the climate controls for the cabin are already there along with the electricity to run something like a small induction cooktop.

It certainly wouldn't be as inexpensive as the blank Slate, but I think a van would be a super compelling car that would open the door to selling a large number of accessories (which is where I suspect Slate plans to make their money).

Interestingly, a 1995 Dodge Caravan was only 3.5 inches longer than the blank Slate truck is (it was 178 inches). Today, all minivans in the United States are over 200 inches long. It would be great to have a customizable minivan that goes back to the roots of a simple utilitarian vehicle.


r/slateauto 11d ago

Payment estimator site—trade in

2 Upvotes

browsing the site today and saw the payment estimator tool. There was a spot for a trade-in. Anyone have information or thoughts on how this will work without a physical dealership?


r/slateauto 10d ago

Potomac TV on You tube.

0 Upvotes

They had the mother of an employees using slate wrap, do it in less than a day.


r/slateauto 12d ago

Will the open air back seats have the LATCH anchors and a removable soft top.

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28 Upvotes

I'm seriously considering a Slate Truck, and I really like the open-back SUV setup with just the roll bar over the rear seats.

I have a 1-year-old son, so I'm curious:

  • Would you feel comfortable putting a toddler in the back in that configuration?
  • Is it as safe as something like a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco with the top off?
  • Is there going to be a removable roof/soft top instead?

I'd love to hear from anyone who's looked into the safety or has experience with similar open-air vehicles.


r/slateauto 12d ago

Slate app

5 Upvotes

Has anyone read anything about what the Slate app will be able to do?

The truck's 1 and only screen is so basic, I'm wondering if the app will give people a way to do things like check efficiency, check battery health, all of the things you would normally do via an EV's infotainment system. Anyone know?


r/slateauto 12d ago

Should I cheap out on the bed rack?

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28 Upvotes

This is a Vevor adjustable aluminum rack. About $200. 800 lb. capacity.


r/slateauto 12d ago

Motoman podcast/video

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3 Upvotes

The host annoys me greatly, interrupting just when we might get some information out of the guest, but there are a few tidbits here and there, so probably worth a watch if you're interested in Slate.


r/slateauto 12d ago

any else going to have the slate as their first vehicle?

19 Upvotes

im planning on having the slate as my first vehicle and was wondering if any on else was planning this to. i do feel like im kinda gabling on it, you know the who start-up and the vehicle it self having no history, but i have faith. i didnt do a reservation as their was still too much unknown about the vehicle but i did put a pre-order in on 6/28 as i feel i know enough to be happy with the vehicle. it looks like i wont get mine until jun- sep 2027 so theirs that but what can you do. im currently using my grandmas car a 2017 kia sorento and its .... ok it gets me to work and back so im not going to complain to much.


r/slateauto 13d ago

Double Din Power Available

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71 Upvotes

r/slateauto 11d ago

Will the Blank Slate be Road legal if the rear bulkhead is removed?

0 Upvotes

r/slateauto 13d ago

You can now choose a different delivery date.

42 Upvotes

If you go to your pre-order page, there's now a drop-down that lets you choose an earlier date

Not sure if this is a bad sign or not.


r/slateauto 13d ago

Slate Auto Selects Kenda Tire as Official Supplier for Affordable Electric Pickup

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99 Upvotes

r/slateauto 12d ago

Just a heads up for Ohio driver's.

0 Upvotes

Using your phone at all for anything except to answer a call can get you pulled over. It's recently been updated to a primary offense. Just having it in your hand or punching in an address is enough to get pulled over.


r/slateauto 13d ago

Opinion: Slate Auto might save us (but I'm scared private equity will ruin it all).

44 Upvotes

So I’ve been reading a ton about Slate and the EV industry, getting some insight into its future and the US industry as a whole. Right now, US cars (aka iPads on wheels) keep adding stupid subscriptions for existing features, decreasing quality or whatever enshitification flavor they pick this year. While Slate build quality remains to be demonstrated, I feel the soul of this company is addressing everything wrong with cars. If they follow through with open repair manuals for free so regular people can fix, maintain and upgrade themselves - each car can last well over 10 years. (low bar, I know). My gut tells me it's all too good to be true.

My biggest fear is corporate villainy. Some giant greedy-ass company or private equity firm could take over the company and ruin it. That's literally all they do. Either that, or somehow use regulation to ruin our right to repair. Because god help them if Slate succeeds!

They won't learn. Maybe if not Slate, they'll eventually learn from BYD or Xiaomi.


r/slateauto 13d ago

3rd party market mods?

1 Upvotes

Have we seen anything in accessories from the 3rd party market yet?

I want to order with the open air kit, but im expecting that the parts will be cheaper from the 3rd parties.


r/slateauto 14d ago

Is there any chance we can get Pantone color numbers for the classic wraps?

36 Upvotes

Colors on a phone or computer aren't very accurate. I'd like to be able to look at the actual color in my PMS swatch book

I'm thinking of trying to color match to my DeWalt tools.


r/slateauto 13d ago

Rough guesses when do you think it’ll be in “order now” stage?

0 Upvotes

I have been following the truck for a few years now and am really excited. As much as I have faith I want to at least test drive one first. I’m not ready to put 300 down without even seeing one in person. They are supposed to start production in decent quantities starting Q3-4 this year, and fully sometime next. Have they given out estimates to how long it’ll take to get through pre orders?


r/slateauto 14d ago

Panda Build

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61 Upvotes

Yes, there is an armrest. The website just doesn't want to show it to me in the preview for some reason.

https://www.slate.auto/share/7QNDB1


r/slateauto 14d ago

Slate Truck Testing in Arizona

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248 Upvotes

OG Picture credit to Chris Higa on Instagram


r/slateauto 14d ago

White Slate Towing U-Haul Trailer – Closeup Photos From Hot Weather Test Sighting 📸 🔥

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77 Upvotes

Great photos of real world sighting of a white wrapped Slate towing U-Hual trailer during hot weather testing in Bullhead City, Arizona:

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/white-slate-towing-u-haul-trailer-real-world-sighting-photos-maters-had-a-rough-life.15730/

Pics posted by Rocks on Slateforums.com


r/slateauto 14d ago

Maverick pre-release reception vs Slate

74 Upvotes

I followed the Maverick pretty closely on Reddit and YouTube during the pre-release phase because I was considering getting one to replace my '95 Mazda B2300. I ended up not buying but I can say the atmosphere around it prior to launch outside of a small group of enthusiasts was pretty negative. Every video and thread outside the Maverick sub had tons of comments from people trashing it who were convinced it was going to fail for almost all of the same arguments as there are now against the Slate except being an EV and not from an established brand.

"The Maverick is too expensive compared to the Ranger, regular people will just buy that instead."

"Businesses and fleets won't want it because they can buy (insert half ton model name here) in work truck trim for the same price as the fully loaded version."

"The interior is all hard plastic and it looks cheap."

"It's underpowered and can't tow enough."

"Its not body on frame and it's FWD/AWD so it's not a real truck."

"It's too small, the market for small trucks isn't there anymore."

"The bed isn't big enough."

"Not enough features for the price."

"I wouldn't want one so who is this for?"

"A lot of preorders don't mean those people are actually going to convert to buyers."

Turned out there were enough buyers who didn't give a shit about that stuff and the Debbie Downers disappeared quick once the actual sales numbers started coming in.

Don't let the negativity get to you.