First Interview I've seen with Slate's new CEO Peter Faricy

[Mac-Tyson]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-04-13/slate-auto-aims-to-reinvent-ev-affordability-video

 

[Mac-Tyson]

My initial thoughts as I watch the video: A lot of nice things said about Chris in the beginning, but it also kind of hints what I thought was the case she was moved to being President to specialize in that role she led up until now but they wanted someone else as CEO for the expanded role that's coming with production and deliveries. Peter Faricy is doing a great job explaining the concept and the interviewers are doing a great job pressing him on it with a good cop-bad cop interview style. I liked Chris in interviews a lot but she did a great job explaining what the Slate Truck is, Peter is doing a great job selling what the Slate Truck is imo. Where he's fumbled is on pricing he didn't correct them at the beginning when they said $20K but later said it was mid-20K but then was asked about if they can keep it at 20K and he said yes. Either we are going to get the best kind of bait and switch and they got the Slate Truck down to 20K without incentives or he misheard here. Which is understandable if he did but a bit unfortunate since there's already a lot of confusion about price and this interview even titled the video as the 20K Slate Truck. Overall though excellent interview by Peter Faricy.

 

[Trail Seeker]

I'm impressed with your assessment Mac-Tyson and I completely agree with you. The respect given to Chris was great. I hope Peter provides more clarity around pricing in future interviews because we all know how important that is going to be to the Slate's success.

Overall Peter did a great job showing enthusiasm and enumerating how the Slate is different from the status quo.

 

[aquaman811]

Great interview, pricing comments aside. Even if it’s under $30K, still a helluva deal! I get more excited every time I talk to someone who hasn’t heard of Slate yet. I like to consider myself an EVangelist!

 

[Mac-Tyson]

I'm impressed with your assessment Mac-Tyson and I completely agree with you. The respect given to Chris was great. I hope Peter provides more clarity around pricing in future interviews because we all know how important that is going to be to the Slate's success.

Overall Peter did a great job showing enthusiasm and enumerating how the Slate is different from the status quo.

Thank you, I’m glad you like my assessment. Ultimately I don’t think the little slip up in the long run will matter since we are a month away from the official base price being announced instead of this purposely vague range.

To add to my original assessment after some time, I think the reason Peter Faricy has not done a lot of interviews so far is because he’s busy getting everything ready for production and managing the transition. I think he did this specific interview because it’s aimed more at stakeholders than us fans, to put their mind at ease about the change in leadership. Which is why there isn’t any new information here, since they just want to hear how Peter presents the information we already know and confirm they are still on track.

 

[sodamo]

I appreciate the post and the interview even though nothing new, good to hear from the new guy.

 

[clofan]

Thanks for posting this and sharing your thoughts!

I wonder if he interpreted the question as, 'keep it at $20k' meaning keeping it in the 20s and not cracking $30k. But yes, it is one of those questions where he should be listening closely and be very clear in answers. No doubt lots will take this at face value and feel jaded in a month when it's 26,500.

 

[E90400K]

Thank you, I’m glad you like my assessment. Ultimately I don’t think the little slip up in the long run will matter since we are a month away from the official base price being announced instead of this purposely vague range.

To add to my original assessment after some time, I think the reason Peter Faricy has not done a lot of interviews so far is because he’s busy getting everything ready for production and managing the transition. I think he did this specific interview because it’s aimed more at stakeholders than us fans, to put their mind at ease about the change in leadership. Which is why there isn’t any new information here, since they just want to hear how Peter presents the information we already know and confirm they are still on track.

Agree, he's the IPO Suit. Chris Barman did all the real hard work.

 

[smack daddy]

My initial thoughts as I watch the video: A lot of nice things said about Chris in the beginning, but it also kind of hints what I thought was the case she was moved to being President to specialize in that role she led up until now but they wanted someone else as CEO for the expanded role that's coming with production and deliveries. Peter Faricy is doing a great job explaining the concept and the interviewers are doing a great job pressing him on it with a good cop-bad cop interview style. I liked Chris in interviews a lot but she did a great job explaining what the Slate Truck is, Peter is doing a great job selling what the Slate Truck is imo. Where he's fumbled is on pricing he didn't correct them at the beginning when they said $20K but later said it was mid-20K but then was asked about if they can keep it at 20K and he said yes. Either we are going to get the best kind of bait and switch and they got the Slate Truck down to 20K without incentives or he misheard here. Which is understandable if he did but a bit unfortunate since there's already a lot of confusion about price and this interview even titled the video as the 20K Slate Truck. Overall though excellent interview by Peter Faricy.

At 20k I will take 2 his and hers and she better say thank you

 

[Mac-Tyson]

Agree, he's the IPO Suit. Chris Barman did all the real hard work.

Despite no longer being in the C-Suite she’s still basically in the same role just specialized. She is still working towards ensuring the Slate Truck arrives on time and on budget. Also wouldn’t be surprised if on the side she’s working with a team that is starting work on Slate’s 2nd model or starts that shortly after first deliveries are made.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Zero content interview, but the reactions in this thread interested me. I didn't realize we have already developed a hero-worship "Cult of Chris" on this site. Who knew?

The interviewers were woefully unprepared for the subject. The worst was when the guy asked "Why can't we charge at WalMart?". Um, for a business channel host not to know that Walmart is in the midst of a major charger rollout nationwide is pretty pathetic.

https://insideevs.com/news/794373/walmart-abb-400-kw-ev-chargers/

 

[sodamo]

Zero content interview, but the reactions in this thread interested me. I didn't realize we have already developed a hero-worship "Cult of Chris" on this site. Who knew?

The interviewers were woefully unprepared for the subject. The worst was when the guy asked "Why can't we charge at WalMart?". Um, for a business channel host not to know that Walmart is in the midst of a major charger rollout nationwide is pretty pathetic.

https://insideevs.com/news/794373/walmart-abb-400-kw-ev-chargers/

Our local Walmart has has a charger station a few years now.

 

[aquaman811]

Our local Walmart has has a charger station a few years now.

Quite a few Sam’s Club & Walmart locations have Electrify America DC Fast chargers. I really wish the media reporting things got their facts straight before spouting disinformation.

 

[KevinRS]

Quite a few Sam’s Club & Walmart locations have Electrify America DC Fast chargers. I really wish the media reporting things got their facts straight before spouting disinformation.

Quite a lot don't have chargers at all.
In California there are 303 Walmarts, none have walmart chargers, 4 in northern/central California are listed as coming soon. I was thinking one did, but it probably is chargers put in by the landlord of the shopping center and not Walmart, and now that I think of it I think it is Tesla chargers. That is the only walmart out of probably 15 that I have seen that has any kind of charging.

 

[aquaman811]

Quite a lot don't have chargers at all.
In California there are 303 Walmarts, none have walmart chargers, 4 in northern/central California are listed as coming soon. I was thinking one did, but it probably is chargers put in by the landlord of the shopping center and not Walmart, and now that I think of it I think it is Tesla chargers. That is the only walmart out of probably 15 that I have seen that has any kind of charging.

Well, at least the Slate can use Tesla chargers. The NACS connection makes it that much more accessible, one way to look at it.