Modular EVs: Is the Slate Truck the PC Revolution of Automobiles?

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In a recent episode of This Week in Tech, host Leo Laporte and guests Cathy Gellis, Daniel Rubino, and Abrar Al-heeti discussed an innovative approach to vehicle manufacturing that could revolutionize how we think about cars: the $20,000 modular pickup truck from Slate.

Back to Basics: A Car That's Just What You Need

Cathy Gellis kicked off the discussion by expressing enthusiasm for the Slate truck concept. She highlighted how modern vehicles have become "gratuitously overcomplicated," while Slate's approach strips cars down to their essential functions: fuel efficiency, safety, and basic transportation.

"If we just break down a car to what we basically need, it's basic simplicity. It's going to be a lot cheaper to produce, and you can still end up with something fancy if you want," Gellis explained.

The panel discussed how today's car manufacturers force consumers into pre-determined packages with limited options. As Leo noted, "as soon as you go in, you're getting upsold. You want the better stereo right? You want the leather seats right?"

Modularity: The PC Approach to Cars

What makes Slate's approach revolutionary is its modularity. Instead of pre-determined packages, Slate provides a basic chassis with wheels and an engine, allowing customers to add exactly what they want.

Daniel Rubino compared it to the PC market: "It's basically the PC model. If PCs came out and now look at like, especially for gaming, right, like there's 9,000 million accessories you can buy for a desktop PC."

Some innovative features of the Slate truck include:

• No built-in entertainment system, just a place for your phone
• Injection-molded polypropylene composite bodies (similar to Saturn's plastic panels)
• DIY-friendly design with repair guides and YouTube videos
• An "SUV upgrade" that adds two additional seats
• No paint shop (wrap it instead if you want color)

As Benito, another participant, pointed out: "What's important for this is like the standards of the pieces need to be set so that if other companies start making modular cars, all the pieces work for all the different cars."

Eliminating Dealerships: The Tesla Playbook

The panel agreed that one of the most disruptive aspects of the Slate model could be bypassing traditional dealerships, following Tesla's direct-to-consumer approach.

"Dealerships are really the big block to a lot of this stuff," noted Daniel Rubino, who shared his streamlined Tesla purchasing experience: "I just went online, clicked I wanted it. Here's $200. Gave them my old car, did the financing all within like 20 minutes... I didn't have to talk to a human being."

Leo highlighted how dealer networks have actively fought against direct sales models: "Some states it's against the law to sell a car without a dealer... because the dealers went and lobbied the state legislatures."

The Amazon Connection

Perhaps the most intriguing revelation came toward the end of the segment: Slate Truck is backed by none other than Jeff Bezos. The Michigan-based company emerged from Rebuild Manufacturing that Bezos set up in 2022.

"This would also give Bezos a bit of ribbing to Elon Musk," Daniel observed, noting the ongoing rivalry between the two billionaires in the space industry that could now extend to the automotive sector.

A New Ecosystem

The panel was particularly excited about the potential for a third-party ecosystem to develop around the Slate truck. Cathy Gellis expressed hope that Slate would embrace open standards: "I think they're betting the business on business choices that are actually much better for the public and the market."

At a starting price of $20,000, the Slate truck represents an affordable entry point for consumers who might otherwise be priced out of the EV market. As Daniel noted, "This is also good for people who can't afford a forty thousand dollar car, but they want one and they can build it out over time as they get more money."

The Bigger Picture

While the discussion touched on giving credit to Elon Musk and Tesla for initially disrupting the auto industry, the panel seemed genuinely excited about this new approach to vehicle manufacturing and ownership. The Slate truck represents a potential shift away from overpriced, over-complicated vehicles toward a more consumer-friendly, customizable, and sustainable model.

As Leo concluded, "It's an interesting idea. I wish them well."

Want to hear the full podcast and other cutting-edge tech topics? Listen to the complete episode of This Week in Tech with Leo Laporte, Cathy Gellis, Daniel Rubino, and Abrar Al-heeti on your favorite podcast platform or visit twit.tv