CHARGER EV CANCELED? , SLATE EV, Toyota GR RAV4
About this episode
The episode dives into the latest automotive news, including the cancellation of the electric Charger Daytona RT due to poor sales and inventory issues. It also highlights the introduction of Slate Auto's $20,000 EV truck, set to launch in 2027, and the exciting new features of the 2026 Toyota RAV4, including a performance-oriented GR Sport trim. Additionally, the host shares personal experiences from a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, discussing the importance of friendships and the local culture, while providing insights into the area's automotive scene.
EP277
Dodge / Stellantis has pulled the plug on at least one version of the Dodge Charger EV with over 3,500 still sitting on dealership lots. Slate auto has an EV truck you can design for under $20,000 USD after incentives, but with a release set for 2027 , will it be worth the wait?
We visit Puerto Vallarta , Mexico for the first time. Do you have friend groups or family you take trips with?
Links mentioned in this episode:
- https://www.motor1.com/features/758994/states-with-80-mph-speed-limits-2025/#:~:text=Texas%3A%2085%20MPH&text=Texas%20has%20the%20highest%20posted,any%20state%20in%20the%20US.
- https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/slate-truck-maverick-telo-santa-cruz-comparison.html
- https://www.thedrive.com/news/dodge-confirms-electric-charger-daytona-r-t-is-dead-because-nobody-wants-it
- https://www.slate.auto/en
- My Slate configuration: https://www.slate.auto/en/slatemaker?shortcode=V8PJB7
- https://www.motortrend.com/features/2026-toyota-rav4-must-see-features-design
- https://pressroom.toyota.com/vehicle/2026-toyota-rav4/
Main Show Sponsors:
Right Honda: https://righthonda.com/
Right Toyota: https://www.righttoyota.com/
Arcus Foundry: https://arcusfoundry.com/
Autocannon Official Gear: https://shop.autocannon.com/
Contact Hard Parking with Jhae Pfenning:
email: [email protected]
Website: www.Hardparking.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast/
Instagram: instagram.com/hardparkingpod/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HardParking
Slate Truck
"A Michigan based startup automaker called Slate Auto has launched a $20,000 EV that's not coming out till 2027. It's a small truck that you can configure... Slate's new truck is 2 feet shorter than the Ford Maverick."
Slate is a new car company making a small, customizable electric pickup truck. The host reads through its features — it's smaller than a Ford Maverick, can be turned into an SUV, and is meant to be cheap, around $20,000.
The host walks through the Slate Truck spec sheet: a Michigan startup's configurable two-seat electric pickup, two feet shorter than a Ford Maverick, with a 5-foot bed, front trunk, 150-mile base range (up to 240), ~1,000-lb towing and ~1,400-lb payload, and an SUV conversion option — backed by Jeff Bezos and targeting a roughly $20,000 starting price.
Ford Maverick
"...Slate's new truck is 2 feet shorter than the Ford Maverick. If you don't know what a Ford Maverick looks lik..."
Ford Bronco
"...onal SUV as kind of the boxier one, like a like a Bronco. And then the Fastback 1 has like almost any othe..."
Infiniti Qx
"... like an Acura MDX or the car that I just sold an Infiniti QX or FX. Those are kind of the slanted back, the Ja..."
Jaguar F Pace
"...QX or FX. Those are kind of the slanted back, the Jaguar F Pace. So I went with the SUV kit, the spare tire carri..."
Tesla Cybertruck
"...r or to put a deposit. So when Tesla came out the Cybertruck their deposits were $100. Remember that? But then..."
Dodge Viper
"...Is it Michigan or Ohio where they built the Dodge Viper and the final one rolled off the assembly line a ..."
Toyota Rav 4
"Joe and Jane are on the clock. The 2026 Toyota Rav 4's seven America's best selling SUV has some cool ..."
Ford Cortina
"... my really poor attempts at comedy is from Miguel Cortina at Motor Trend. And that concludes this week's ca..."
Ford Excursion
"...around. And that's what we did one day. We had an excursion day where we all, you know, booked a big cruise a..."
Cadillac Eldorado
"...s constant nonstop and even the people at the the Eldorado restaurant slash hotel, they brought out signs an..."
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.