The new Slate truck starts at $25,950, with an SUV version priced at $29,950. The company avoids painting vehicles to keep costs low, instead offering colorful wraps. This approach led to a partnership with Crayola, introducing five special colors inspired by crayon box hues. The options include Cerulean, Dandelion, Fern, Jersey Tomato, and Razmatazz. The truck’s official name, the “Blank Slate,” shows the company’s commitment to minimal factory intervention, as no paint is applied during production. The destination fee for the vehicle remains unannounced, though pricing remains a focal point for buyers seeking affordability. By avoiding factory painting, Slate reduces overhead costs, allowing customers to select from a range of wraps and customizations that reflect their personal style without compromising on value.
Crayola-Inspired Customization
Owners can apply the wraps themselves or opt for Crayola-themed decals, such as serpentine stripes and color logos on the rocker panel. A matching key fob cap is also available. The partnership highlights Slate’s focus on affordability and creativity, positioning it as a competitor to Porsche’s Paint to Sample program. The Crayola wraps cost $1,549.99, while standard wraps are $499.99. Special iridescent wraps run $669.99, and custom colors are available for $1,599.99. These prices are significantly lower than Porsche’s offerings, though paint on traditional vehicles is permanent. The Crayola collaboration is one of Slate’s first major partnerships, with more collaborations planned.
The five Crayola-inspired colors—Cerulean, Dandelion, Fern, Jersey Tomato, and Razmatazz—are explicitly drawn from the crayon box, ensuring a nostalgic connection for buyers. This direct linkage to childhood art supplies reinforces the brand’s appeal to a broader demographic, including families and creative individuals. The decals and key fob caps provide additional customization layers, allowing owners to integrate Crayola’s branding into their vehicles’ details. For example, the serpentine stripe on the mirror and the color logo on the rocker panel create a cohesive visual theme that aligns with the chosen exterior hue. This level of personalization is rare in traditional vehicle manufacturing, where customization options are often limited to preselected palettes or factory-applied paint.
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A New Approach to Vehicle Customization
Slate’s strategy of avoiding factory painting in favor of wraps and partnerships reflects a shift in how automakers engage with buyers. By allowing customers to choose from Crayola’s colorful palette, the company taps into nostalgia while offering flexibility. This approach contrasts with traditional manufacturers, who often limit customization to preselected options. Analysis from an outlet suggests that such collaborations could drive interest in Slate’s vehicles.
The configurator on Slate’s platform explicitly lists “wraps from brands and creators we love,” signaling a long-term strategy to expand partnerships beyond Crayola. One such example is the inclusion of work from New York artist and filmmaker Max Kolo.
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