Toyota boss has a radical solution to catch up to Chinese automakers, which are eating its lunch worldwide. Will it work?

  • IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    6
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    2 days ago

    Tell that to Slate Auto. They’re launching a bare-bones pickup for under $25000. Pretty much everything right down to the car radio is an optional accessory. And they have stated that they will happily provide the templates for things like the radio & speaker mounts so individuals and third parties could 3D print their own mounting adapters if they want to customize their truck after they buy it.

    • Horsey@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      2 days ago

      Yeah, but for 25K, before taxes, you get crank windows, <300km of real range, potential safety hazards because now everything can be dismantled and screws are exposed everywhere, the worst electric motor efficiency, etc etc. Slate is DOA, and I bet they don’t improve any of the huge pain points until 5 years in, or they just straight up go under.