quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
You guys that want a ICE in this truck are missing the point. It's not possible due to CAFE standards.

Video explaining CAFE standards

That's a government restriction, not a technology limitation. Currently Slate has to abide by it, but it can be changed. I could live with the EV version, but I'd prefer a basic OHV 4 cylinder.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
You guys that want a ICE in this truck are missing the point. It's not possible due to CAFE standards.

Video explaining CAFE standards

That's a government restriction, not a technology limitation. Currently Slate has to abide by it, but it can be changed. I could live with the EV version, but I'd prefer a basic OHV 4 cylinder.

Unless you are planning trips into the outer territories after the apocalypse a EV is much easier to drive and charge than people think.

I thought the same until we got one, wife had range anxiety initally as well until she drove it enough that she figured it out, zero issues.

With all the chargers available, it's just no longer an issue, especially if you put a level 2 charger in your home, you never go charge anywhere for local use which is 99.99% of the time.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

Unless you are planning trips into the outer territories after the apocalypse a EV is much easier to drive and charge than people think.

I thought the same until we got one, wife had range anxiety initally as well until she drove it enough that she figured it out, zero issues.

With all the chargers available, it's just no longer an issue, especially if you put a level 2 charger in your home, you never go charge anywhere for local use which is 99.99% of the time.

I’ve heard similar for 12 years now. I got my lil cheap ass EV hatchback for local driving in Feb 2014. It’s a non-issue. Range anxiety is a thing for people who have no experience. Most people drive 30 or so miles a day.

But think about it like this…if the Slate EV is very successful, and I think it will be for local contractors, and for buyers looking for a cheap DD or commuter..then what will happen is Toyota, etc, will respond and offer the same thing in a petrol version. 2 door truck, small, like the Nissans and Isuzus of the 1990’s. They won’t sit idly by, and watch a new Bezos powered auto maker come on the scene, and sell a bunch of vehicles while they just sit there like idiots. If anything the Slate will drive multiple auto mfr’s to build small trucks again, gas powered.

Isn't that a good thing, driving innovation and competition provides alternatives and better pricing for consumers.

How great would it be to find sub $30K trucks being offered.

Hilux, Ranger, S-10/15, all would be good.

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
You guys that want a ICE in this truck are missing the point. It's not possible due to CAFE standards.

Video explaining CAFE standards

CAFE is irrelevant now.

As of July 2025, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) civil penalties have been effectively set to zero for violating fuel efficiency standards, following legislative changes in the "One Big Beautiful Bill".

+++++Older Thread++++++

They are starting to roll them out if anyone is interested, $25k.

August 26-30, 2026 - Portland, OR
Portland Demo Ride
Go for a ride in the Slate. Please book an appointment time. Walk-ins are welcome to join the waitlist. | 10am-6pm. 9585 S.W. Washington Square, Portland, OR 97223. | Use the link below to book a ride. Don't have an account? Create one to sign up.

REQUEST A RIDE
September 3-7, 2026 - Gardena, CA
Gardena Demo Ride
Demo rides are fully booked. Walk-ups are welcome to join the waitlist and we'll try to accommodate after RSVPs. | 9am-5pm. | 17700 S Figueroa St, Gardena, CA 90248

September 9-13, 2026 - San Diego, CA
San Diego Demo Ride
Go for a ride in the Slate. Please book an appointment time. Walk-ins are welcome to join the waitlist. | 10am-6pm | Gocar Tours, 3918 Mason St San Diego, CA 92110

September 16-20, 2026 - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Demo Ride
Go for a ride in the Slate. Please book an appointment time. Walk-ins are welcome to join the waitlist. | 10am-6pm. Kierland Commons: 15044 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

https://www.slate.auto/en/events

Just put my name in on Pre-Order for a Ford Fathom, it should be out by the time our Lease is up on one of the EQEV's and that is on the short list.

If there is a market for no power windows/locks, no navigation, no advanced cruise, no auto pilot and stuff like that..
This will test that theory.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:
If there is a market for no power windows/locks, no navigation, no advanced cruise, no auto pilot and stuff like that..
This will test that theory.

I'm interested in seeing if they (i.e. brand new manufacturer) can execute well enough to have a meaningful reliability increase by not having all of the overly complex systems. For decades, the luxury car brands lagged behind mainline car reliability due to all of the gadgets and electronic wizardry, but then computer chips exploded into everything more than doubling the amount in a vehicle in a short time.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:
If there is a market for no power windows/locks, no navigation, no advanced cruise, no auto pilot and stuff like that..
This will test that theory.

Power windows and locks I'm fine with or w/o them. Advanced adaptive cruise I hate it and I don't know what auto pilot is but it sounds like something I'd not want either.

My concern with Slate are with things like overall suspension how smoothly does it drive, handle, and ride? Build quality does it develop rattles and squeaks, is the steering precise, do little things like latches and switches break or fail?

The auto pilot is my term for the not needing to drive it stuff. For what it's worth the 1985 straight axle Toyota 4x4 would rattle your teeth out. Build quality was excellent though.
It will be interesting if just basic transportation will sell, especially with the youngsters.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Just put my name in on Pre-Order for a Ford Fathom, it should be out by the time our Lease is up on one of the EQEV's and that is on the short list.

I am liking this one on paper. However I really really liked the Lightning on paper when they first announced it.
Then the actual release numbers not at all.

I like the idea of the Slate it is too small for me.

The Slate absolutely grabbed my attention and interest in a sub $30k truck.

Now that Ford is coming out with the Fathom for $28,350, I’m no longer interested in the Slate.

The Fathom is a 4 door with the bells and whistles for just a few thousand dollars more.

Realistically I think if you dress up either of these trucks they will be mid $30k. Still a great price in today’s market.

The Slate starts out at basically a non appointed shell and you have to add everything. Example, a radio, center console, arm rests not to mention wrapping it if you want anything other than Slate grey.

The Fathom actually has all the basics and then some. Oh yeah it’s painted too.

Just my opinion…

Whatever happened to the full sized standard cab, short bed pickup with a straight six, a stick and a bench seat?

quote:

Originally posted by PR64:
The Slate absolutely grabbed my attention and interest in a sub $30k truck.

Now that Ford is coming out with the Fathom for $28,350, I’m no longer interested in the Slate.

The Fathom is a 4 door with the bells and whistles for just a few thousand dollars more.

Sadly, I am not holding my breathe on this one! Ford already did this once gave many folks exactly what they wanted on paper. The Ford Lighting was announced with an awesome price and for the time great battery range.
Upon release the price tag was nearly $20k more than they quoted and ended up using awful battery technology and mileage was/is awful.

I sure hope Ford learned from this and does not repeat it.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:

Whatever happened to the full sized standard cab, short bed pickup with a straight six, a stick and a bench seat?

They don't make them like that anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by PR64:
The Slate absolutely grabbed my attention and interest in a sub $30k truck.

Now that Ford is coming out with the Fathom for $28,350, I’m no longer interested in the Slate.

The Fathom is a 4 door with the bells and whistles for just a few thousand dollars more.

Sadly, I am not holding my breathe on this one! Ford already did this once gave many folks exactly what they wanted on paper. The Ford Lighting was announced with an awesome price and for the time great battery range.
Upon release the price tag was nearly $20k more than they quoted and ended up using awful battery technology and mileage was/is awful.

I sure hope Ford learned from this and does not repeat it.

Agreed the Lightning ended up being super expensive but that was just before COVID when it came out, and right
around then the market was ripe for upper end model trims in everything not just Ford Pickups IIRC and it continued
through COVID with dealers having short supply and holding MSRP and above because people paid it.

Markets not the same right now, people are not buying the higher trim level models, they want lower cost vehicles,
JMO the fly in the ointment will be dealers trying to mark up these Fathoms in the initial months of roll out.

Hopefully FORD can put a thumb down on that via reduced incentives and availability for dealers marking up the Trucks.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Whatever happened to the full sized standard cab, short bed pickup with a straight six, a stick and a bench seat?

That small, USA Built 4wd gas truck is on the horizon MSRP $21,500....

https://reotrucks.com/

The Case for a Simple Truck

The vehicle we deserve.

There is a vehicle missing from the American market. It is small enough for a real garage, big enough for a family or a day's work, cheap enough to skip the seven-year loan, and built well enough to outlast it.

What is REO?
In 1901, Ransom Eli Olds built America's first mass-produced car, and it sold for $650 — about $25,000 today. After being pushed out of Oldsmobile, he founded a new company on his initials in 1905, and for seventy years REO built some of the most respected trucks in America, including the 1915 Speed Wagon, the ancestor of the modern pickup. We're bringing REO back to do the same job in a different era.

What Broke?
The average new vehicle now costs over $50,000, and the cheapest new pickup opens above $28,000 before anyone touches the options sheet. None of this happened by accident. Fuel-economy rules rewarded bigger footprints, a 25% tariff walled off small imported trucks (and still does), and the manufacturers walked away from the bottom of the market because the loaded trim pays better than the honest one. Toyota still builds exactly this kind of truck, brand new, on three continents — but you can't buy one here.

The buyers didn't leave. The products did.

What We're Building
The Runabout carries the name of Olds' first car. It is a family of small, body-on-frame, mechanical-4WD utility vehicles powered by a combustion engine — built in Texas. First comes the T4X, a two-seat work truck targeted at $21,500, with the T4C crew cab truck and the S4C compact family SUV to follow on the same frame. We call this class of vehicles the Ameri-Kei, as they're heavily inspired by the simplicity and utility of the Japanese kei trucks.

Initial design work is underway, and you'll know a REO when you see one: steel, authentic, honest, all business.

Why Gas?
Every new car startup in America is electric, while 90% of American buyers are not. Those companies raised record money chasing a fraction of the market, and every American EV maker except Tesla now sits billions in the hole. We exist because of those failures, and we build for the everyday American who simply wants a vehicle that works.

Gas refuels in five minutes in every town in America, and every mechanic in the country already knows how to fix these powertrains. When the law and the supply chain change, we'll add other powertrains — but we'll do it late and on purpose, because delayed adoption buys proven parts at falling prices. The same goes for autonomy. We'll never bolt beta software onto your truck. The Runabout is engineered to be modular and forward-thinking, with a roof and wiring ready to accept sensors without cutting metal — so when self-driving is boring and proven, an REO can take it. Tried and true is the strategy, whatever it happens to be bolted to.

Built Open
The Runabout is designed to be repaired and modified by the person who owns it. Every control is a physical switch or lever, and the only screen in the cabin is a small display for diagnostics and Apple CarPlay. There is no parts-pairing, which means no component is ever software-locked to your VIN, and the diagnostics read out in plain English on a $30 scanner. The parts catalog is public, fairly priced, and backed for twenty years, and the bumpers, door cards, headliner, and trim all come off in under five minutes with common tools. There are no subscriptions and no feature locks.

And then we go somewhere no automaker has gone: the truck itself is fully open source. Anyone can build a part for it, because nothing on the vehicle checks where a part came from. On top of that, we run an authorized maker program. Makers who pass our quality verification get the factory mounting patterns and a spot on our online marketplace, where they sell directly to owners at fees lower than eBay, RockAuto, and Amazon. Verified makers competing on the same shelf means the customer wins twice — prices come down and quality goes up. And our owners' community will live in the same app as the marketplace, run by the factory in the open: no more Facebook groups to dig through, no more forums to chase. Other companies fight their aftermarket. We're building the Runabout around the customer, and we want the customer to talk to us — on a forum sponsored and monitored by us, the OEM, in the most transparent way possible.

What We're Asking For Today
We're opening reservations now, before the renderings are finished and before the configurator is live — and we're doing it on purpose, because REO gets built in the open. A reservation is $25, fully refundable, and yours back the moment you ask. You are not buying a finished truck. You are putting your name down early and watching it take shape, and we'll keep you posted as the design, the specs, and the configurator come online. There is no fixed delivery date and no final price yet, and we won't pretend otherwise. Cancel any time before you buy and the $25 goes back, no questions asked. Every reservation tells us — and every supplier, engineer, and partner this truck needs — that it should exist.

We're REO. Let's build cars like they used to be.

Yes! Bring back the Speed Wagon!

Full sized standard cab pickup, with a straight six, a stick and a bench seat...REO Speed Wagon!

You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish.