Lucid Air

[DaveGrohl]

Olivergt said:

I really hope they can get in to production, but it is quite a jump from a couple of test vehicles to a working production line that can make the cars efficiently and at the right price to turn a profit.

Here's hoping, s they are fine looking machines.

I watched a video review of these a couple of weeks ago and instantly thought me want one. Didn’t realise they were a way off, not made clear in the video. I’ll calm down then.

[SWoll]

Always got the feeling they were more interested in licensing their tech rather than making cars. The air has been talked about for almost 6 years now and they've still only delivered a few hundred cars to customers.

Based on their projected production and current reservation list it looks like if you order today you'll be waiting 5+ years for a car..

[ajap1979]

They reviewed the Lucid Air in this month's EVO, sounds like there could be some promising things coming from them in the future.

Also, there have been several posts about them on a US Polestar forum that I frequent, where people have had conversations with owners etc. so I had assumed they had delivered cars?

[Ardennes92]

Think they also reviewed it in last months CAR magazine, both solo and with a chaperone from Lucid around town, they liked the “different” tech/motors as I remember

[SWoll]

ajap1979 said:

They reviewed the Lucid Air in this month's EVO, sounds like there could be some promising things coming from them in the future.

Also, there have been several posts about them on a US Polestar forum that I frequent, where people have had conversations with owners etc. so I had assumed they had delivered cars?

Around 400 apparently. They're taking about ramping up production from 1000 per year to 5000 or so by 2025 but with a reservation list of 25k it might take a while if you aren't already a long way up the list.

[Fusion777]

We are building a lot of components for these. Don't know if the parts are being stored or going straight into vehicles. Doesn't look like they're just a flash in the pan- they have a good chunk of money behind them.

[SWoll]

Fusion777 said:

We are building a lot of components for these. Don't know if the parts are being stored or going straight into vehicles. Doesn't look like they're just a flash in the pan- they have a good chunk of money behind them.

Stored I'd suggest as doesn't look like they have the build capacity as of yet.

My observation would be that in a fast changing market taking this long to ramp up could leave them behind the curve, but I guess we'll just have to see.

[SDK]

Olivergt said:

That's funny, I was actually looking at their website this morning.

From what I can see they have not started deliveries yet though?

They are still taking deposits, I hope they can build and sell them and make a profit. They look much nicer than a Tesla model S.

Lucid started deliveries of the Air Dream Edition in September last year and to date has delivered about 600 cars.

I've been following Lucid investor announcements, earnings calls and their general progress for about 2 years.
The Lucid CEO, Peter Rawlinson, comes across as a very shady, tricky person and for the last 2 years hasn't achieved most of what they set out in in their forecasts. Lucid is a very top heavy organisation and their business plan does not stack up. They are currently due to run out of money in Q1/2 2023 and will likely need more funding from the Saudi investors.

Fusion777 said:

We are building a lot of components for these. Don't know if the parts are being stored or going straight into vehicles. Doesn't look like they're just a flash in the pan- they have a good chunk of money behind them.

As I mentioned above, their cash pile ~$3bn is due to run out early next year. Currently Lucid is burning through about $800m a quarter.

Edited by SDK on Friday 13th May 12:39

Edited by SDK on Friday 13th May 12:40

[cb31]

I think it just looks very ugly, ignore the body and the underlying car looks good though. I hope they do well, more manufacturers are always a good thing.

[Fusion777]

SDK said:

As I mentioned above, their cash pile ~$3bn is due to run out early next year. Currently Lucid is burning through about $800m a quarter.

Oh dear! I'm not surprised- on the face of it the car looks great, but must have cost a fortune in R&D. I admire the ambition of these upstarts, but I doubt many will make it long term. An Air is possibly a nice to have if you've got a few other cars, but how many will take one over a Taycan or an EQS? I don't think I'd be brave enough.

[SDK]

Burning through cash isn’t in itself a problem - all new car makers need massive investment before turning a profit.

The issue with Lucid is their current business plan forecasts selling 200,000 of these expensive Lucid Air’s, which is double what Mercedes sell of the S-class.
Lucid need a mainstream ‘Tesla M3’, the market for high end luxury sedans/SUV’s isn’t large enough to turn a profit off a $12bn+ investment.

[SWoll]

They've also recently bumped all of their prices by approx 15%. In fact the base model has gone from an initial price of $70k to $87k in < 18 months, an almost 25% increase.

Edited by SWoll on Friday 13th May 13:42

[TheDeuce]

Sadly, this car looks to be a bit crap...



I'm just not sure who it's supposed to appeal too. The handling/steering sound dire and despite all the power it's essentially as quick as a Kia SUV.

Is it supposed to be a luxury saloon like the EQS? Is that why it's got such a spacious rear compartment? If so, it's not as luxury as the Merc and who would choose this over the Merc? Someone who wants to pay more and get less I suppose.

I think the car is more confused than I am about it's purpose...

[raspy]

TheDeuce said:

Sadly, this car looks to be a bit crap...



I'm just not sure who it's supposed to appeal too. The handling/steering sound dire and despite all the power it's essentially as quick as a Kia SUV.

Is it supposed to be a luxury saloon like the EQS? Is that why it's got such a spacious rear compartment? If so, it's not as luxury as the Merc and who would choose this over the Merc? Someone who wants to pay more and get less I suppose.

I think the car is more confused than I am about it's purpose...

I thought it drove and rode better than the EQS (I've driven both) - it felt a lot more cohesive, especially when driving fast.

[TheDeuce]

raspy said:

TheDeuce said:

Sadly, this car looks to be a bit crap...



I'm just not sure who it's supposed to appeal too. The handling/steering sound dire and despite all the power it's essentially as quick as a Kia SUV.

Is it supposed to be a luxury saloon like the EQS? Is that why it's got such a spacious rear compartment? If so, it's not as luxury as the Merc and who would choose this over the Merc? Someone who wants to pay more and get less I suppose.

I think the car is more confused than I am about it's purpose...

I thought it drove and rode better than the EQS (I've driven both) - it felt a lot more cohesive, especially when driving fast.

That's interesting to hear. Matt of carwow obviously felt a little differently but god know what he drove just ahead of reviewing the Lucid air - probably his M3 CS which might distort his view a little!

It still seems pricey for what it is though, and whilst it's nice to know you have Veyron power, I don't see how the power is useable or beneficial in this type of car. Even the 0-60 bragging rights, other cars do the same for far less £££ - and I don't see the luxury or special factor in the Air cabin to make up for the extra spend either.

Which did you rate as the better overall sporty/luxury car, the Air or the EQS?

[jinba-ittai]

TheDeuce said:

Sadly, this car looks to be a bit crap...



I'm just not sure who it's supposed to appeal too. The handling/steering sound dire and despite all the power it's essentially as quick as a Kia SUV.

Is it supposed to be a luxury saloon like the EQS? Is that why it's got such a spacious rear compartment? If so, it's not as luxury as the Merc and who would choose this over the Merc? Someone who wants to pay more and get less I suppose.

I think the car is more confused than I am about it's purpose...

CarWow reviews (especially Matt's) are rubbish in my opinion; aimed at the most non-car people out there!!

[DodgyGeezer]

Just has a sit in one whilst on holiday what a lovely place to be!






In fairness it should be nice given the price

[samoht]

I didn't think the interior was *amazing* but it was certainly very decent. One would definitely come before a Taycan if I were shopping in that price range for a daily, seems like a really nice car and the long range would obliterate any concerns over public chargers being oversubscribed. Even though I'm not looking to spend that sort of cash on an EV, I regret they aren't doing RHD, hopefully the next gen will.

[RDMcG]

I think they are not doing too well financially however.


https://finbold.com/lucid-stock-set-to-crash-below...

Edited by RDMcG on Tuesday 14th November 21:58

[rodericb]

That's a bit of a shame. I'm perplexed at the 500,000 deliveries in 2023 but I suppose being extremely bullish is how you attract attention and thus investment. I think it's a bit misplaced to be saying the introduction of a twenty-five grand Tesla is going to be eating into Lucid sales. I'd be looking at how the company is reducing costs (can they and does it risk sustainability of the business) and how they're removing pain points from ownership.