American Kei Truck Situation is Amazing (Bladed Angel)
I'm aware that this news is old, and he gushes over the Slate truck in the beginning. But he also integrates debate points that I haven't seen or heard many others do.
95% of people are commuting in these light infantry vehicles
😂
It's a nice idea but:
I like it, but it won't work.
I love my two door truck
Cool. Lots of people do. Just not enough to build an entire company on.
- There’s no more federal rebate
This is true of the current US administration. But keep in mind that there have been and there still are many states, electric utility companies that offer rebates and tax credits.
- No one wants 2-door trucks or SUVs anymore. That’s why they stopped making them.
According to whom?
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2025-u-s-suv-sales-figures-by-model-with-rankings/
2025 Best Selling SUVs In the United States (All Models Ranked)
"The SUV car segment in the US has been growing steadily over the last few years. In 2021, SUVs accounted for 46% of new vehicle sales in the US, up from 38% in 2016. There are a number of factors that have contributed to the growth of the SUV segment. One factor is the rising cost of fuel. As fuel prices have increased, consumers have become more interested in vehicles that get better gas mileage. SUVs tend to get lower gas mileage than passenger cars, but they are also more spacious and versatile. Another factor that has contributed to the growth of the SUV segment is the growing popularity of active lifestyles. Many consumers are now looking for vehicles that can accommodate their outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, and biking. SUVs are better suited for these activities than passenger cars."
Like mentioned in the video, CAFE Standards plays a big part in this story.
https://me.engin.umich.edu/news-events/news/cafe-standards-could-mean-bigger-cars-not-smaller-ones/
CAFE Standards Could Mean Bigger Cars, Not Smaller Ones (12/09/2011)
"At issue was this: Some companies offer full model lines, from cars to large SUVs and pickups, but some don’t. How could there be a overreaching fuel-economy standard that penalized companies like Ford and GM, while carmakers that sold only smaller cars effortlessly abided by the rules? So the concept of vehicle footprint was added. Models that ran large, crossing specific length-by-width thresholds‚ would have less ambitious fuel-economy targets. While the Obama administration has pushed for more aggressive CAFE numbers, the amended regulations retain the footprint-based leniency towards bigger cars and light trucks.
The result is a loophole, allowing the entire auto industry to sidestep some of the more painful efficiency requirements by inflating vehicle footprints. And historically, drivers almost always lean toward larger vehicles."
CAFE Standards isn't the only reason for the drop in light/2-door trucks. But it addes to the reason they're hard to come by in 2025.
What do you mean "according to whom"? I just told you in the comment you replied to. According to the market. It doesn't matter what the reason is. They are not "hard to come by", they don't exist. Not in the US.
I signed up immediately, can't wait for one. Tesla's biggest folly was building the stupid cybertruck instead of something small, simple and cheap like the slate.
Important thing to remember: this truck is just concepts and mock-ups. It does not exist yet. The "demo" truck that some reviewers have seen did not have a motor.
Don't get too excited for something that isn't real yet.
Also one of the investors in Slate is Bezos so…