Slate Auto plans to launch production of its pick-up towards the end of next year, with a gradual ramp-up until 2027. The aim is to reach an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles by the end of this period. If all current orders materialize, which remains to be confirmed, the manufacturer would start with an already well-stocked order book.
The bet on simplicity
During a question-and-answer session, general manager Chris Barman wanted to reassure in the face of more than 4,000 questions received from future customers. Asked about the possible presence of autonomous driving technologies, the answer was blunt: “ Non. » A choice consistent with the philosophy of the model: the Slate Truck focuses above all on an aggressive Price, to the detriment of sophisticated equipment.
Initially, the vehicle was expected to be priced around $20,000, taking into account the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles. This having been stopped at the end of September, Slate is now counting on a sale price of between 26,000 and 27,000 dollars. Despite this constrained increase, the company affirms that demand remains “ huge ».
The model is also distinguished by technical choices that are radical to say the least: manual windows, equipment reduced to the strict minimum, and plenty of room for customization. An approach that arouses curiosity… and a lot of mockery, some already having fun with these biases considered anachronistic for a vehicle expected in 2026-2027. But compromises are necessary to reach this floor price.
Slate’s early success comes in a very difficult context for electric pickups. Ford recently confirmed the end of production of the F-150 Lightning, while Tesla is managing the flop of the Cybertruck as best it can. Sales of electric pick-ups remain low, often limited to a few thousand units per quarter, and profitability is far from certain.
It must be remembered that reservations, although flattering, do not guarantee success. Many electrical players have already prided themselves on the order books provided before coming up against the cold wall of industrial reality. Slate Auto, supported in particular by Jeff Bezos, still has everything to prove, including its ability to produce in volume and convert interest into real sales.
🟣 To not miss any news on the WorldOfSoftware, follow us on Google and on our WhatsApp channel. And if you love us, .
