Will The Slate Actually Sell? | Ep. 344
About this episode
Delve into the controversy surrounding the Slate, a bare-bones, $25,000 electric pickup startup aiming to disrupt the truck market with its ultra-minimalist design and optional solar tonneau cover. The hosts debate its market viability before diving into recent automotive news. They discuss a dramatic IIHS crash test pitting a pristine 1996 Chevy Blazer against a 2026 model, highlighting three decades of safety advancements. Finally, Andre shares his driving impressions of a 300-horsepower electric Volkswagen Type 2 bus conversion by Kindred Motorworks, debating the merits of electrifying classic cars.
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The affordable truck market is officially being turned completely on its head, and the guys are diving headfirst into the madness! Andre and Tommy tackle the biggest question in the automotive world right now: Will the radically minimalist, modular new Slate EV pickup actually sell, or is it just too bare-bones for the modern buyer? Starting at just $24,950, this hyper-controversial startup creation comes straight from the factory with hand-crank windows, no radio, and an unpainted, raw gray composite body.
Before diving into a live, chaotic build-your-own Slate configurator session, the guys hit the week’s biggest automotive news stories. First, they discuss a jaw-dropping new crash test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that pits a pristine, perfectly preserved 1996 Chevy S-10 Blazer head-to-head against a modern 2026 model to visually demonstrate 30 years of safety progression—with terrifying results for the vintage dummy. Next, Andre shares his first-drive impressions after getting behind the wheel of a fully electrified, 300-horsepower 1950s VW 23-window bus restomod by Kindred Motorworks. They take live questions from their Patreon community, debate the actual real-world efficacy of the Slate's optional solar tonneau cover, and go absolutely wild adding custom modular upgrades to their own digital truck build!
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Slate Pickup
"...he just got the low down on potentially the hottest new vehicle of the year, the Slate. The Slate pickup. The Slate pickup. That's right. Yes. Now this is an innovative new vehicle priced at under $25,000."
The Slate is a brand-new electric truck designed to be as simple and cheap as possible. It doesn't even come with a radio or power windows in its base version, allowing buyers to add only the features they actually want and even convert it into an SUV later.
The Slate Pickup is an upcoming modular, ultra-affordable electric truck designed to be highly customizable with a 'blank slate' philosophy. It features a minimalist, back-to-basics design with removable panels, a starting price under $25,000, and a rear-wheel-drive electric powertrain.
IIHS
"Well, you know what? I was online and I saw something from IIHS, which is basically a private organization for highway safety, but it's really an insurance institute. So it's funded by the insurance companies, right? And they crash cars..."
The IIHS is an organization funded by insurance companies that crash-tests cars to see how safe they are. Their ratings help consumers choose safer vehicles and push car companies to build safer designs.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. Funded by auto insurers, it is famous for its rigorous vehicle crash testing and safety ratings.
1996 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
"So they crashed a 1996 S-10 based Blaser, Chevy Blaser versus a brand new one, 2026 Blaser. But Tommy, look at the old blue Blaser. It was perfect."
This is an older, truck-based SUV that Chevrolet made in the 1990s. While it was very popular and rugged, its older design lacks the advanced safety structures and crumple zones found in modern cars.
The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer is a pioneering compact SUV built on a rugged, body-on-frame truck chassis derived from the S-10 pickup. It was highly popular in the 1980s and 1990s, offering traditional truck capability in a smaller utility vehicle package before modern unibody crossovers dominated the market.
2026 Chevrolet Blazer
"So they crashed a 1996 S-10 based Blaser, Chevy Blaser versus a brand new one, 2026 Blaser."
This is the modern version of the Chevrolet Blazer, which is built like a comfortable passenger car rather than a heavy truck. It features advanced safety designs that protect passengers much better in a crash.
The modern Chevrolet Blazer is a midsize unibody crossover SUV that revived the historic nameplate with a sporty, Camaro-inspired design. Unlike its truck-based predecessors, it focuses on on-road comfort, modern technology, and advanced safety structures.
crumple zone
"It completely, the new structures are stronger and also the crumpled zones are probably better designed for sure than ever before."
This is a part of the car's body designed to crush easily during a crash. By crushing, it acts like a cushion, absorbing the force of the impact so that the people inside don't take the brunt of the hit.
A crumple zone is a structural safety feature designed to absorb and dissipate the kinetic energy of an impact during a collision by controlled deformation. This significantly reduces the deceleration forces transferred to the vehicle's occupants.
Volkswagen Type 2 Bus
"But speaking of safety, there is another news item I wanted to discuss which relates to us, because I drove a 1950s Type 2 VW bus. That's right, Andre."
This is the classic, beloved Volkswagen hippie bus from the 1950s and 60s. It is famous for its cute, boxy look and round headlights, though original versions were very slow and lacked modern safety features.
The Volkswagen Type 2, famously known as the Microbus or Transporter, is an iconic rear-engine, air-cooled van that became a global symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement. Its forward-control design maximizes interior space within a remarkably compact footprint, though original models offered very limited horsepower.
Ford Broncos
"...ey restore old VW buses, also restore old classic Ford Broncos. They're also working on a classic Porsche 911."
The classic Ford Bronco is an older, boxy SUV made by Ford starting in the late 1960s. It was built to drive on rough dirt roads and trails, and it is now very popular for people to restore and collect.
The classic Ford Bronco, produced from 1966 to 1977, is an iconic first-generation compact off-road vehicle developed to compete with early utility vehicles. It is highly sought after by collectors and restorers for its boxy styling, simple mechanicals, and rugged capability.
Porsche 911
"...roncos. They're also working on a classic Porsche 911. Okay."
The classic Porsche 911 is an older, famous sports car made by the German company Porsche. It is known for having its engine in the back of the car instead of the front and for its iconic rounded shape.
The classic Porsche 911 is a legendary rear-engine sports car first introduced in 1963, celebrated for its distinctive silhouette and air-cooled flat-six engine. It is widely considered one of the most successful and influential sports cars in automotive history, making it a prime candidate for high-end restorations.
Volkswagen Bus
"Okay. But this, dude, this bus was, look how cool it looks. Yeah."
The Volkswagen Bus is an older, boxy van made by the German company Volkswagen. It is famous for its friendly look, simple design, and for being used by travelers and campers in the 1960s.
The classic Volkswagen Bus, officially known as the Type 2, is an iconic forward-control light commercial vehicle introduced in the 1950s. Celebrated for its unique boxy design, air-cooled rear engine, and association with 1960s counterculture, it remains a highly collectible automotive icon.
EV conversion
"But then they electrify it, so it's an electric conversion, and they go up to about 300 horsepower. Now, that's going to really upset some people, Andre."
This is the process of taking an old gas-powered car, removing its engine, and installing electric batteries and a motor to turn it into a modern electric vehicle.
An EV conversion involves removing a classic vehicle's internal combustion engine and drivetrain components and replacing them with an electric motor, battery pack, and power electronics. This modernizes classic cars, providing silent operation, instant torque, and eliminating vintage engine maintenance.
Volkswagen Beetle
"... and I've actually done this in an old Volkswagen Beetle, a flat out about 40 miles an hour."
The Volkswagen Beetle is a small, round car made by the German company Volkswagen. It is famous for its simple design and for having its engine in the back under the trunk.
The original Volkswagen Beetle is an iconic, air-cooled economy car designed in Germany and produced globally for decades. Known for its rear-engine layout, round shape, and simplicity, it remains one of the most influential and best-selling automotive designs of all time.
Dodge Charger
"...or example, if you're taking like a 440 big block charger, right? The sound and that experience that the He..."
The Dodge Charger mentioned here is an older, powerful American two-door car from the late 1960s or early 1970s. It is known for having a very large, loud engine and a sporty design.
The classic Dodge Charger, particularly when equipped with the legendary 440-cubic-inch "Big Block" V8 engine, is a quintessential American muscle car from the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is famous for its aggressive styling, hidden headlights, and immense horsepower, making it an icon of the muscle car era.
Volvo Recharge 40
"...ls. Yes. Covering the roof that could fold out to recharge 40 to 50 miles of range per day. Oh, only vehicle I ..."
The Volvo C40 Recharge is a small, luxury electric SUV made by Volvo. It has a sporty, sloping roof design and runs entirely on battery power.
The Volvo C40 Recharge is an all-electric compact luxury crossover SUV featuring a sleek, coupe-like sloping roofline. It is built on Volvo's CMA platform and delivers strong performance, a high-quality minimalist interior, and advanced safety features.
Nissan Leaf
"...duction solar panels have been used is the Nissan Leaf. Do you remember this?"
The Nissan Leaf is a small, all-electric hatchback car made by Nissan. Some older versions had a tiny solar panel on the back roof spoiler to help run small electronics inside the car.
The Nissan Leaf, introduced in 2010, was one of the world's first mass-market, all-electric vehicles. Early models featured an optional small solar panel integrated into the rear spoiler to help power the car's 12-volt accessory battery.
Toyota Prius
"...o or four by four enthusiasts. I think one of the Prius plugins didn't have like a little solar roof that..."
The Toyota Prius is a highly efficient hybrid car made by Toyota that uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Some plug-in versions have solar panels on the roof to help charge the battery using sunlight.
The Toyota Prius is a highly successful hybrid vehicle, with certain plug-in hybrid versions (Prius Prime) offering an optional solar roof. This solar panel system can charge the hybrid battery pack while parked or power auxiliary systems while driving, maximizing fuel efficiency.
Toyota RAV4
"...lot of panels. Can you bring up an image of a new RAV4, like a 2026 RAV4? I want to kind of compare the ..."
The Toyota RAV4 is a popular, mid-sized family SUV made by Toyota. It is designed to be a reliable, comfortable, and fuel-efficient vehicle for everyday driving.
The Toyota RAV4 is a highly popular compact crossover SUV, with the 2026 model representing the cutting edge of Toyota's practical, reliable, and fuel-efficient family transport. It is widely praised for its comfortable ride, spacious interior, and available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Chevrolet Silverado EV
"Yes, I think you're right. Because I think like a Silverado EV pickup has like an 11 cubic foot frunk. And I thi..."
The Chevrolet Silverado EV is a large, all-electric pickup truck made by Chevrolet. Because it does not have a gasoline engine, it has a large storage space under the front hood where an engine normally goes.
The Chevrolet Silverado EV is an all-electric full-size pickup truck built on General Motors' Ultium platform, offering impressive range and towing capabilities. A standout feature is its massive 10.7-cubic-foot front trunk (frunk), which provides secure, weather-tight storage where a traditional engine would be.
Ford F-150 Lightning
"...cubic foot frunk. And I think the largest was the lightning. The F-150 lightning had like 14 or something."
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of Ford's popular pickup truck. Since it does not have a gasoline engine, it has a very large, lockable storage space under the front hood.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric version of America's best-selling pickup truck, combining traditional truck capability with electric performance. It features a massive 14.1-cubic-foot "Mega Power Frunk" under the hood, which offers lockable, weather-resistant storage and multiple power outlets.
Dodge Power Wagon
"Yeah. That's as much as our power wagon we have on loan. You're exactly right."
The Power Wagon is a large, heavy-duty pickup truck built specifically for driving over very rough off-road terrain. It comes with special tools, like a built-in winch cable on the front bumper, to help pull itself or other vehicles out of mud and obstacles.
The Ram Power Wagon (historically Dodge Power Wagon) is a heavy-duty, off-road-focused version of the Ram 2500 pickup truck. It comes factory-equipped with specialized off-road hardware, including locking front and rear differentials, a disconnecting sway bar, and a built-in Warn winch.
Ford Ranger
"... saw some people saying, well, that's what an old ranger would tow. The problem is the way that the tow ca..."
The Ford Ranger mentioned here is an older, small pickup truck made by Ford. It was designed to be a simple, affordable vehicle for carrying light loads and doing basic work.
The older generations of the Ford Ranger, produced as compact pickup trucks from 1983 to 2011, are celebrated for their durability, simplicity, and utilitarian design. While their towing capacities were modest compared to modern midsize trucks, they remain highly regarded as affordable, reliable workhorses.
Truck Slate Truck
"...is, we were in the meeting, right? Discussing the slate truck. And he reminded us that back in the 80s and 90s,..."
This refers to the simpler, smaller pickup trucks made during the 1980s and 1990s. These trucks were built primarily for basic work and hauling, without the large size and high-tech features of modern trucks.
In the context of 1980s and 1990s automotive design, pickup trucks were characterized by their compact dimensions, simple body-on-frame construction, and utilitarian focus. Unlike modern, luxury-oriented pickups, these trucks prioritized basic utility, affordability, and mechanical simplicity.
LFP battery
"Because now they just went back to one, but it is an LFP, right? Yeah. So the first, like it used to be, there was like the 150 mile of range one and then the 220 mile of range one. Now there's one, 63 kilowatt hours. I think it's LFP, like you said, Andre."
This is a specific type of battery used in electric cars. It is cheaper to make, lasts a very long time, and is less likely to catch fire, but it doesn't hold quite as much energy as other electric car batteries of the same size.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) is a battery chemistry widely used in electric vehicles due to its excellent thermal stability, safety, long cycle life, and lower production costs compared to nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries. However, LFP batteries typically have lower energy density and slower charging performance in cold weather.
De Dion axle
"And then McPherson strut front suspension, the Dior axle in the rear. I haven't met the Dior. I have not met Monsieur Dior..."
This is a special type of rear suspension that connects the rear wheels with a solid bar, but keeps the heavy gear gears attached to the car's frame. This helps the car ride smoother over bumps while keeping the tires flat on the road.
A De Dion axle is a sophisticated semi-independent rear suspension design that connects the wheels with a rigid beam while keeping the differential bolted to the chassis. This reduces unsprung weight compared to a traditional live axle, improving ride quality and tire contact while maintaining consistent wheel camber.
Ford Maverick
"At $34,000, you could buy a well-optioned Ford Maverick. You could buy many other vehicles, actually. So let's look at our truck, which is $28,000, right? You could get a Ford Maverick for $28,000."
The Maverick is a popular, small pickup truck made by Ford. It is built like a comfortable SUV with a truck bed on the back, making it very easy to drive, fuel-efficient, and affordable.
The Ford Maverick is a highly successful compact unibody pickup truck that revived the small truck segment with its standard hybrid powertrain. It is celebrated for offering exceptional fuel economy, everyday utility, and a highly configurable bed at an affordable entry-level price point.
single cab
"And you were talking to the RAM guys about why they don't have the single cab anymore. And didn't they tell you that the sales take rate was tiny? So the line from RAM folks was... they looked at the data and that the single cab truck data was like 2% or 3% of the market."
This is a traditional truck cabin that only has two doors and one bench seat inside, with no back seat. It is mostly used for work trucks today because families prefer trucks with back seats.
A single cab (or regular cab) is a pickup truck configuration featuring a two-door cabin with a single row of seating and no extra space behind the seats. Once the industry standard, single cabs have largely been phased out of consumer lineups in favor of four-door crew cabs.
Jeep Wrangler
"...at, right? So like, specifically with Broncos and Wranglers too, like the two-doors just really, really, real..."
The Jeep Wrangler is an off-road SUV made by Jeep that is designed to drive over rough terrain like rocks and mud. It is famous for having doors and a roof that you can completely take off.
The Jeep Wrangler is a highly capable, body-on-frame off-road SUV famous for its removable doors, folding windshield, and open-air driving experience. The classic two-door configuration is highly prized by off-road purists for its shorter wheelbase, which provides superior maneuverability on tight trails.
Rod Romain
"They are people from the auto industry. Rod Romain. Rod Romain. Rod Romain is there. He's from Stellantis. So he was the chief engineer of the Ram AT trucks. Heavy duty trucks, yes. Now he's leading the powertrain development, right?"
Rod Romain is a respected engineer from the traditional car industry who used to design heavy-duty Ram trucks. He was hired by the new electric truck company, Slate, to make sure their new vehicle is engineered properly and ready for mass production.
Rod Romain is an experienced automotive engineer who previously served as the chief engineer for Ram Heavy Duty trucks at Stellantis. He transitioned to the EV startup Slate to lead powertrain development and production readiness.
Dodge Ram
"...m Stellantis. So he was the chief engineer of the Ram AT trucks. Heavy duty trucks, yes."
The Dodge Ram is a large, powerful pickup truck designed for heavy-duty work. It is built to pull very heavy trailers and carry large loads in its cargo bed.
The Dodge Ram (now branded simply as Ram) Heavy Duty trucks are full-size, heavy-duty pickups designed for extreme towing and hauling tasks. Often equipped with powerful Cummins turbodiesel engines, these trucks are engineered for commercial-grade work and demanding recreational towing.
Warsaw, Indiana
"And we've assembled at a reindustrialized factory in Warsaw, Indiana. That's what you're talking about. Thank you."
This is the city in Indiana where the new Slate electric trucks will be built in a newly updated factory.
Warsaw, Indiana is the manufacturing location chosen by EV startup Slate to assemble its modular electric trucks. The company reindustrialized an existing factory in the region, investing nearly $400 million to establish its production hub.
Ford Expedition
"...ou. Slate has raised $1.3 billion backed by Bezos Expeditions, General Catalyst and TWG. All right, cool."
The Ford Expedition is a very large SUV made by Ford. It has three rows of seats to carry many passengers and is built to tow heavy trailers.
The Ford Expedition is a full-size, three-row SUV built on a truck platform, offering significant towing capacity and passenger space. It serves as Ford's flagship utility vehicle, designed for large families and heavy-duty hauling.
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