For years, one of the biggest complaints about electric vehicles has been simple: they cost too much.

Electric pickup trucks have made that problem even more obvious, with many models carrying prices that can quickly climb well beyond what an average truck buyer might want to spend.

Then came Slate Auto, promising something radically different — a small, simple electric pickup with a starting price below $25,000 before destination charges.

Now Ford is entering the conversation.

Meet the Ford Fathom, an upcoming midsize electric pickup expected to start at just $28,350 before destination charges.

And suddenly, the affordable electric truck market is getting very interesting.

What Is the Ford Fathom?

The Fathom is more than another electric Ford.

It’s the first production vehicle based on Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, an architecture designed specifically to reduce the cost and complexity of building EVs.

Ford plans to build the Fathom at its extensively retooled Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, with production scheduled to begin in 2027.

The company says the standard-range Fathom will carry a starting MSRP of $28,350, before destination charges. Preorders are expected to begin in early 2027.

That puts Ford remarkably close to one of the most talked-about inexpensive EVs in America: the Slate Truck.

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Remember the Slate Truck?

We previously covered the Slate Truck because its concept is refreshingly simple.

Instead of building an expensive truck loaded with equipment and then trying to make it cheaper, Slate essentially started with the minimum necessary to make a useful electric pickup.

The result is an intentionally basic two-seat truck.

Slate’s latest specifications list a 65-kWh LFP battery, rear-wheel drive, an estimated 205 miles of range, a 5-foot bed, 7-cubic-foot front trunk, maximum payload of 1,550 pounds and maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. Slate emphasizes that these remain manufacturer estimates because the truck is still in preproduction.

The Slate’s philosophy could almost be summarized this way:

Here’s the truck. Add what you want.

That’s part of its appeal.

But Ford has apparently decided there is another way to build an inexpensive electric pickup.

Ford’s Approach: Give Buyers More From the Beginning

This may be the most important difference between the two trucks.

The Slate is deliberately minimalist.

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The Fathom is being designed to feel more like the modern vehicle consumers already expect.

Ford says the Fathom will seat five people and offer features including a large high-resolution touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, digital-key capability and bidirectional power.

Every Fathom will also be BlueCruise-capable, although use of Ford’s hands-free highway-driving technology may require activation or a subscription depending on how Ford ultimately packages the service.

That creates a fascinating comparison.

The Slate asks:

How much equipment can we remove to make an EV affordable?

Ford appears to be asking:

How can we manufacture an EV differently so we don’t have to remove as much?

Those are two very different solutions to the same problem.

Ford Is Reinventing the Assembly Line, Too

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Fathom isn’t the truck itself.

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It’s how Ford intends to build it.

Ford is introducing what it calls an “assembly tree” at its Louisville factory.

Rather than moving an entire vehicle through a conventional linear assembly process, major portions of the Fathom can be constructed separately before being brought together.

Ford is also using large castings and other manufacturing changes intended to reduce complexity and production time.

The company says the approach could improve manufacturing efficiency by approximately 15 percent.

In other words, Ford isn’t simply trying to build a cheaper electric truck.

It’s trying to develop a cheaper way of building electric vehicles.

If it works, the implications could extend well beyond the Fathom.

Ford Fathom vs. Slate Truck

Here’s where the matchup currently stands:

*Slate’s range figure is a manufacturer estimate approximating the EPA test cycle and is not yet an official EPA range rating.

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Slate Still Has an Important Advantage

None of this necessarily makes the Slate irrelevant.

In fact, Slate’s simplicity could become its greatest selling point.

Some buyers don’t want increasingly complicated vehicles dominated by giant screens, software subscriptions and electronic features.

They want something closer to the small pickups Americans could buy decades ago:

simple, useful and relatively inexpensive.

Slate also places customization at the center of the ownership experience. Its pickup can effectively serve as a blank canvas for owners who want to configure the vehicle around their needs.

For a small business, delivery operation, hobbyist or someone who simply wants a basic runabout with a pickup bed, that could be extremely attractive.

Ford is selling an affordable modern EV.

Slate is selling an affordable platform you make your own.

But Ford Has One Enormous Advantage

Ford is Ford.

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That matters.

Slate is attempting one of the hardest things imaginable in the automotive industry: launching a new automaker while simultaneously designing, manufacturing, selling and supporting an entirely new vehicle.

Ford already has factories, suppliers, dealerships, service departments, financing operations and parts-distribution networks throughout the country.

That doesn’t guarantee the Fathom will succeed.

But it eliminates many of the uncertainties consumers face when buying a vehicle from a startup.

And when the difference between two vehicles could amount to only a few thousand dollars, that established infrastructure becomes an important part of the purchasing decision.

The Biggest Question Is Still Range

There’s one specification we desperately need before declaring a winner:

How far will the Ford Fathom travel on a charge?

Slate currently estimates approximately 205 miles from its 65-kWh battery.

Ford has confirmed that the $28,350 Fathom will use a standard-range battery, with a longer-range version expected, but the company hasn’t yet revealed official range figures.

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If Ford can deliver competitive range while keeping the Fathom around the promised $30,000 threshold, it could become one of the most consequential affordable EV introductions in years.

If the base truck’s range is significantly lower, however, Slate’s proposition starts looking considerably stronger.

The Affordable Truck May Be Making a Comeback

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the Fathom-versus-Slate story has nothing to do with which company wins.

It’s the fact that manufacturers are once again talking seriously about affordable trucks.

Pickup trucks have become larger, more luxurious and substantially more expensive over the past several decades.

Slate went in the opposite direction by asking how little truck someone actually needs.

Ford is now asking whether advanced manufacturing can deliver more vehicle without dramatically increasing the price.

Those philosophies are about to meet in the marketplace.

And consumers may ultimately be the winners.

For now, we’re calling this one:

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Slate is the fascinating minimalist. Ford Fathom is the potentially formidable mainstream challenger.

But we’re reserving final judgment until Ford tells us the numbers that matter most — EPA range, battery capacity, payload, towing capacity and what buyers will actually pay when the truck reaches dealerships.

What do you think? Would you choose the ultra-simple Slate Truck, or spend a little more for the five-passenger Ford Fathom? Let us know in the comments.

Follow STM Daily News Consumer Corner Automotive for updates as Ford releases additional Fathom specifications and as the Slate Truck moves closer to customer deliveries.

Sources & Related Links

• Slate Auto — Official Website — Official information on the Slate Truck, customization options, pricing and projected range. Slate currently lists the Blank Slate at $24,950 with 205 miles of projected range. 
• Slate Truck — Official Specifications — Detailed manufacturer specifications covering the 65-kWh LFP battery, dimensions, charging, 1,550-pound maximum payload, 2,000-pound towing capacity and projected 205-mile range. 
• Slate Auto FAQ — Useful background on pricing, deliveries, charging and Slate’s unusual minimalist approach. Slate says first deliveries are planned for late 2026 and lists a $1,450 destination charge. 
• Slate Press Kit — Particularly useful for STM Daily News because Slate provides official high-resolution photography, video and media materials here.
• Slate — Getting Your Truck — Explains Slate’s direct-to-consumer purchasing process, preorders and expected delivery process.

(Feature Impact) Review any driver’s road trip checklist, and you’ll likely find some items always top the list, such as suitcases, snacks and (sometimes) a spare tire.

New research from Hankook Tire’s ongoing consumer Gauge Index Survey found that, when packing for a road trip, nearly 6 in 10 drivers (58%) said they would prioritize bringing a spare tire and tools. While the majority said they check their spare tire, getting stuck without air in the spare could quickly turn an adventure into a headache.

Before you hit the road next, here are three ways to prepare:

1. Check your vehicle.

Preparing for a long road trip requires more than simply saving room in the suitcase for souvenirs. Once the bags are packed, it’s easy to get behind the wheel and go. However, a quick car inspection is an important step, especially as 36% of Americans said if they could eliminate one travel inconvenience, it would be vehicle issues.

According to the survey, nearly all drivers (86%) check their fuel level before a road trip. Yet only about two-thirds (66%) inspect their engine fluids even though this is also a key recommendation before a long drive. Don’t forget to plan your refueling or EV charging stops ahead of time: 27% of drivers said running out of fuel is their top concern on the road.

2. Kick the tires.

Most drivers (78%) check their tire pressure before a road trip, and the majority of drivers (90%) have a spare tire in their vehicle. Yet less than half (44%) actually check their spare tire before a long drive. This may be because 71% of drivers regularly inspect their spare at least once a month, giving them peace of mind that it’s ready if needed.

Before heading out, experts recommend checking tire tread, as well. A quick coin test can confirm your tires are in good shape. Insert a nickel or quarter heads-down into the groove of the tire with the head pointing down. If the top of the head is visible, it’s recommended to replace the tires.

3. Pack the emergency essentials.

Beyond the phone charger and salty-and-sweet snack combo of choice, think about what else you might need if you find yourself in a roadside emergency. Many drivers consider a first-aid kit (25%) and navigation system or map (35%) essential additions to a spare tire. The latter could certainly help avoid many drivers’ biggest worries: More than 1 in 5 (21%) said getting stranded in a remote area is their worst-case scenario for a road trip mishap.

No matter where your journey takes you, a little preparation goes a long way. By referring to these insights from Hankook Tire’s Gauge Index Survey, you can start your adventure confidently prepared for whatever the road may bring.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

Hankook Tire

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(Feature Impact) Many Americans continue to feel pressure from rising everyday expenses. Some are turning to credit cards and other expensive options like unsecured loans to cover surprise bills, manage a temporary gap in cash flow or even pay for basics like groceries and gas.

For these people, an auto secured loan may offer another option for borrowers who own a vehicle and are looking for a more affordable way to access funds.

Unlike an unsecured personal loan, an auto secured loan uses a vehicle as collateral. This can help borrowers qualify for higher loan amounts at better interest rates and with more flexible repayment terms.  

Not all loans are created equal, however. If you’re considering an auto secured loan, here are six features that responsible lender Oportun suggests borrowers prioritize when evaluating their options.

1. Transparent, Easy-to-Understand Terms

A responsible lender will clearly explain the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR), monthly payment amount, repayment schedule, fees and total cost over time.

Borrowers should also understand what happens if a payment is missed and what options may be available if financial circumstances change. Clear information helps consumers make confident, informed decisions.

2. Affordable and Predictable Payments

The best loan is one that fits comfortably within your budget. Look for fixed monthly payments, reasonable repayment terms and the ability to pay off the loan early without penalties. Be cautious of products that rely on repeated refinancing or loan rollovers that can increase costs over time.

3. Lower-Cost Alternatives to Payday

When unexpected expenses arise, some consumers turn to high-cost forms of credit, such as payday loans, because they are often marketed as fast and easy to secure.

A responsible auto secured loan may offer a more affordable alternative with lower rates and repayment terms designed to help borrowers successfully repay what they borrow rather than become trapped in a cycle of debt. Be sure to shop rates across loan types and lenders.

4. Flexibility and Strong Customer Support

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Borrowers should look for lenders that offer convenient account management tools, flexible payment options and access to knowledgeable customer support representatives. The ability to get help when it’s needed can make a meaningful difference over the life of your loan.

5. Credit Building Opportunities

A loan can do more than just solve an immediate financial need. Many responsible lenders report payment activity to the major credit bureaus, allowing borrowers to build or strengthen their credit history through consistent, on-time payments. Over time, a stronger credit profile can open the door to additional financial opportunities.

6. Responsible Collateral Practices

Before taking out an auto secured loan, it’s important to understand how a lender approaches collateral. Responsible lenders use a vehicle to help expand access to credit. They do not offer credit as a shortcut to taking ownership of your vehicle. Look for lenders that offer hardship assistance and work with borrowers facing financial setbacks before pursuing collection actions. Repossession should always be a last resort.

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Choosing the Right Lending Partner

If you’re considering an auto secured loan, make sure the lender you choose supports these six practices. Responsible lenders design their products to help people both access funds for short-term needs and improve their long-term financial health.

For example, Oportun offers clearly priced auto secured personal loans designed to help members access affordable credit and repay them on time so they can build a stronger financial future. Since its founding, the lender has provided more than $22 billion in responsible and affordable credit, helped more than 1.3 million people establish a credit history and saved its members more than $2.5 billion in interest and fees.

By focusing on lenders that prioritize transparency, affordability, flexibility and successful repayment outcomes, borrowers can find an auto secured loan that meets their current and future financial needs. Discover more information by visiting Oportun.com.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
Oportun

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