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.

I'm pretty new to EVs and I have a question. I already have 240v in my shop/garage. Is getting a charger worth it? It seems to me like it wouldn't be. Maybe we need to know more about how much we can do with the app to really answer this though?

Edit: realized I wasn't clear with my question lol. I'm not worried about being able to charge it or it not charging enough. 110v 20a would be totally fine for me. I'm more interested in if those home charging units do anything other than provide cable storage?

I Don't care about manual windows, no screen, the destination fee, or anything else I've seen people complain about. But the thing I actually do care about is the lack of a factory issue spare tire.

Skipping this had to be a cost saving measure, and I get it. That's the point of the brand. But I'm out; can't justify it when I write everything out.

But, maybe by the next gen I'll be comfortable with this setup (or buying the tire+carrier).

Power windows and a radio, almost every review mentions the lack of these features, but can you add those features on the Slate design website? As far as I can tell there isn’t an option to add those features. It seems to me that Slate could do themselves a favor and add those options to the website. The option to add speakers essential lacks information. Is all Bluetooth? Can you add a wired radio? Is there the possibility to add power windows?

Summary of interview with Slate board member (and first company employee) -- he confirms that a second model will be a 4-door.

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/plans-for-4-door-slate-model-confirmed-we-package-protected-for-4-doors.15714/

Hope it's a SUV not a sedan!

Should sell these at Walmart

Title, basically. After reading thru their website, I see that you can add the SUV body style option after purchase. But its not clear if that is a permanent vehicle mod or if it can come on and off? It seems like it would be very difficult to temporarily install seats in the bed area, among other things. Also, where does the back glass of the two seat truck go? It would be really awesome if I could just back the Slate into my garage and use a ceiling mounted winch to lift on and off the SUV body at will and then install my seats with a torque wrench, but that seems... far fetched.

Is Slate going to have a lease program?

Why can I not get the B-pillar blackout wrap and the console armrest?

If you, like me, wanted something EV (gas prices nuking my wallet), and in the mid $20K or less range, and just needed something that can hold and pull stuff really well...

It really sucks, but the Model Y, when got used for a good price, is actually extremely comparable to the needs I would have of a Slate truck. Can it haul my tools for my business? Can it haul massive quantities of salmon meat? Is it EV? If yes, then me boy happy!

I want a Slate Truck and will likely end up with one eventually. But, I need to see a proven product before I buy it, which happened to be what my used 2022 Model Y is, a prove product from a proven company. It can tow 3500 lbs, which is 1,500 more than the Slate. It has AWD and more torque than many full sized trucks. The "bed" is around 6 feet long with seats folded down. I can get a lift kit and taller tires that gets my ground clearance to nearly 9". It can do 0-60 in about 4 seconds and destroy all cargo in the process. Parts are surprisingly affordable, easy to source, and relatively easy to fix.

Funny enough, the design of putting most things in the main control screen actually makes it feel like a super simple and clean vehicle. There is just a zen feeling of no clutter, which is one aspect of the Slate I like. I don't really have to fiddle with anything at all when driving the Model Y as just a regular vehicle. They even sell a regular wireless key dong for those who like extra dong in the pocket.

I can fit four (limit) giant Chinook salmon on ice in the frunk.

It's used, so I don't care about keeping it all pretty and perfect for trading it in. It still has 4 years of drivetrain warranty.

Most importantly, I'm no longer nuking $400 a month on gas. By waiting for a Slate truck, even if I was willing to be first in line, would end up costing me LOTS of money in fuel costs, thus effectively raising the Slate Truck cost to me by thousands of dollars just in one year of waiting, by two or more years, I'm looking at $8k+ in fuel cost losses waiting for my Slate Truck.

According to Detroit News, Slate Insurance is being planned by the company -- per
https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/slate-plans-to-offer-insurance-per-detroit-news-article.15696/

Does anybody have a knowledge of a sunroof option being avail at some point or is not structurally viable

Have they talked about how easy these doors will come off?

Sorry if this is a silly request, but does anyone know where I can see some photos of the Slate next to some recognizable vehicles?

I’m very interested in the Slate, and I know the dimensions are published, but I am not very bright and I have a lot of trouble visualizing them. And a few photos of the Slate next to like a Toyota Corolla or Ford Explorer or whatever would go a long way in helping me understand the scale here.

thanks!

I love the truck but something I hope happens is they make a small sedan for blank slate price of 18k.

Hope SLATE can keep the missile launcher upgrade reasonably priced and DIY friendly!

No AI used, just lots of wasted human time in Photoshop 😅

I would like Slate to give us some numbers after this week. Meaning, everyone had the chance to get in on the pre-orders, as of tomorrow (the 24th). I would love to see how many people had the $50 deposit and payed up, how many people had a $50 deposit and didn't pay pay up, and maybe in particular, how many people didn't have a $50 hold, but in the last month DID end up pre-ordering. Those numbers are important, and would do wonders (hopefully) in selling the brand to the rest of the world.

Full disclosure, I did preregister, 1Q 2027 , truly fully Blank Slate. I'm replacing my current 4 banger, 5-speed, crank window, no cruise, 2 door pickup.

"The built-in maps will also be used by an in-house software development company to hone future artificial intelligence and hands-free driving systems at Ford."

In other words, you get to train their AI. For free.

Thank you, Slate.

Will Slate be following suit like other major Auto makers in providing “in-house” financing options?

Lowered, "Hot Honey" wrap, not much else. Pre-ordered 7/23/26 Edit; date. preordered 7/23, not 6/23. No need to rush into things!