cross-posted from: https://rss.ponder.cat/post/221659
The old “Under $20,000” banner has been replaced with “Mid Twenties.” | Image: Slate Auto
Slate Auto’s American-made electric pickup — the one with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen — is no longer priced “under $20,000.” The increase is a result of Trump’s “Big, beautiful bill,” which will end the federal EV tax credits on September 30th when signed into law later today.
That sub-$20,000 price for the Indiana-built pickup was a big selling point for the EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, and was only possible after applying the $7,500 tax credit to the retail price. The price promotion was scrubbed from the Slate Auto site as recently as yesterday, according to TechCrunch. The website now shows an expected price of “mid-twenties.”
Slate’s under $20,000 price tag for a vehicle it won’t start delivering until late 2026 was always accompanied by an asterisk, with fine print highlighting federal incentives that were “subject to change.” And change was certainly expected: Trump campaigned heavily on the promise to end President Biden’s fictitious “EV mandate,” because electric cars are for socialists in MAGA world.
Trump’s embrace of oil and gas, while simultaneously dismantling incentives meant to spur the adoption of EVs and clean energies, is a gift to Chinese makers of electric cars, solar panels, and batteries. The US is now on course to own the past while China is firmly positioned to dominate the future.
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Let’s face it, most buyers will end up spending above $30k with add-ons and modifications. Not a lot of buyers will be willing to leave it unpainted/unprotected and with no stereo/entertainment.
Yeah, I couldn't believe the bragging about under $20k while missing basics.
It's the whole point. For 1 it doesn't need paint. If you want a different look, they sell wraps, but why would you bother? The stereo is the only thing people will think is missing. Which you can integrate anything by design. It will already have backup camera and screen, and a phone mount. It's not for everyone, but it's what many people want.
17" infotainment center that breaks and you can't find a replacement because it's different than the new model so you have to buy at high costs, fuck that. I don't need it.
It has AC, cruise control, power locks. I can put a sound bar or stereo system in for a lot cheaper than if pay from a manufacturer. And get something I choose
The other thing is the manual windows. I get it, but automatic windows are just more convenient nowadays.
Yeah but automatic windows you have to deal with the motor breaking over time or the little switch fighting you.
At least in my wife's car from 2019 you press to roll the window up and then it stops and starts going down, so you have to let go and press up again over and over until you make it to the top
Sounds like you need to buy either a new Switch or a new actuator, and both should be available for most cars for under $100, And installing them is typically something done with a screwdriver and possibly a 10 or 13 millimeter wrench.