Test Drive Release

[hydbob]

I’m heading to LA for a few weeks in April. Is Beverly Hills the closest studio to Arcadia and do they offer test drives? I read that Lucid applied for a studio in Pasadena. I guess it’s to access the little old lady market?

Yep! You will be in my neck of the woods. It's also their first studio and service center, but a total pain in the ass because of parking of lack there of.

 

[ThePaddyWan]

Being a small company and trying to balance getting customers cars with demo units out is pretty tough.

I had asked frequently about test drives and though it took a while (late December before they confirmed the DE delays), I was always told that every customer would have an opportunity to test drive ahead delivery to make sure that the vehicle worked for them. Makes sense since for them, this is both a new vehicle and brand, so folks don't have historical context of what other Lucid's drive like.

 

[Lucken]

See this makes sense, they are just working down the list and doing it in batches. What's the problem with that?

The problem with that, IMO, is that they convert your refundable $1,000 deposit to a non-refundable deposit. So for some, the test drive costs $1,000. If you see no issues with that, we're not on the same page.

Edit: OK, I just saw Maverick's clarification which states it is a refundable $1,000 deposit. Then my only remaining issue would be, if there is an available tester that's not tied up, make a test drive available to anyone with a deposit regardless of where they are on the reservation list.

 

[Maverick]

This is all a big nothing burger then. Wait until you get your confirmation e-mail to test drive. As simple as that! Now if you want to jump the queue...maybe call up the studio and say, I'm considering changing my order to a GT...

Do we know that confirmation emails are going out every two weeks like they were at the end of the year? I haven't paid much attention since I got mine. If not, I do think that Lucid should consider a few things. I'm not suggesting that they start saying anyone with a non-confirmed reservation should starting scheduling test drives. I am saying that if I can call up and get a reservation spot within a week and the confirmation emails are not going out with the same regularity, why not look at a way to allow more to test drive rather than having the car sit idle. It's easy to say that you should be content with waiting until you're invited when you already have the car, but I suspect for many, this purchase is not an addition to a well stocked garage. It's likely a pretty big decision. So waiting until you're invited versus putting in an order for a different car that maybe a little bit less awesome on paper (be it an ICE or EV) might not work out as well as Lucid is hoping.

Given that it seems that test drives seem to have overwhelmingly cemented people's intent to buy, it doesn't seem like a stretch to broaden the reach as space allows.

 

[Lucken]

^ This is precisely what I've been saying.

 

[DougieFresh]

Do we know that confirmation emails are going out every two weeks like they were at the end of the year?

The last one I saw was Jan 10. I'm hoping for another round this week, since I'm still waiting for mine!

 

[Sandvinsd]

Which studios currently have cars available for test drives? Scottsdale and some of the California studios only? Anything east of the Mississippi?

No test drives in San Diego or Orange counties yet. Still waiting…….

 

[Sandvinsd]

The problem with that, IMO, is that they convert your refundable $1,000 deposit to a non-refundable deposit. So for some, the test drive costs $1,000. If you see no issues with that, we're not on the same page.

Edit: OK, I just saw Maverick's clarification which states it is a refundable $1,000 deposit. Then my only remaining issue would be, if there is an available tester that's not tied up, make a test drive available to anyone with a deposit regardless of where they are on the reservation list.

Air Pure reservations are only $300 - fully refundable.

 

[DougieFresh]

Which studios currently have cars available for test drives? Scottsdale and some of the California studios only? Anything east of the Mississippi?

I've emailed the Tysons Corner (Northern VA) studio twice now to ask about availability of test drives, but no response.

 

[Easyrider949]

No test drives in San Diego or Orange counties yet. Still waiting…….

That’s the same answer I received yesterday about Orange County and San Diego, however, I was able to get on the Test drive schedule for next week in Torrance. I know it‘s about a two hour drive from San Diego for you, but it might be the quickest way for you to get a test drive.

 

[Sandvinsd]

That’s the same answer I received yesterday about Orange County and San Diego, however, I was able to get on the Test drive schedule for next week in Torrance. I know it‘s about a two hour drive from San Diego for you, but it might be the quickest way for you to get a test drive.

It’s about 1-1/2 hours one way without including a 1 hour charging session on the Leaf - Each way. I need my Lucid so I can actually drive somewhere.

 

[hydbob]

Do we know that confirmation emails are going out every two weeks like they were at the end of the year? I haven't paid much attention since I got mine. If not, I do think that Lucid should consider a few things. I'm not suggesting that they start saying anyone with a non-confirmed reservation should starting scheduling test drives. I am saying that if I can call up and get a reservation spot within a week and the confirmation emails are not going out with the same regularity, why not look at a way to allow more to test drive rather than having the car sit idle. It's easy to say that you should be content with waiting until you're invited when you already have the car, but I suspect for many, this purchase is not an addition to a well stocked garage. It's likely a pretty big decision. So waiting until you're invited versus putting in an order for a different car that maybe a little bit less awesome on paper (be it an ICE or EV) might not work out as well as Lucid is hoping.

Given that it seems that test drives seem to have overwhelmingly cemented people's intent to buy, it doesn't seem like a stretch to broaden the reach as space allows.

Agreed, but we also don't know how many test drives are scheduled per day or really anything about test drives. I'm sure each studio has a different wait list based off geographical region, not to mention, some people got 15 min and others got an hour.

 

[Lucken]

Air Pure reservations are only $300 - fully refundable.

Yes, but there was some question about whether deposits had to be converted to non-refundable to ‘qualify’ for a test drive. We may have clarified that issue now or it may vary by studio.

 

[Pete44]

Agreed, but we also don't know how many test drives are scheduled per day or really anything about test drives. I'm sure each studio has a different wait list based off geographical region, not to mention, some people got 15 min and others got an hour.

At West Palm Beach they are offered once an hour. Drive itself was about 30 minutes plus car cleaning, etc. I had a 3pm reservation which didn't start till 3:15 but he said we could take as much time as we wanted because his last test drive at 4 had cancelled.

 

[cplewes]

I've emailed the Tysons Corner (Northern VA) studio twice now to ask about availability of test drives, but no response.

I called and was told they would contact me when something is available. Got a follow up email too. Very professional.
Reservation holders will get priority which is logical.

 

[Bockius]

Agreed, but we also don't know how many test drives are scheduled per day or really anything about test drives. I'm sure each studio has a different wait list based off geographical region, not to mention, some people got 15 min and others got an hour.

I test drove an AGT in Scottsdale yesterday. I have been invited to confirm my ACT order but haven’t yet. The only requirement for the test drive was to make a fully refundable deposit, which I did last November. They are doing 4 test drives a day and are scheduling about one week out. The test drive was much better than the traditional walk-into-the-showroom-and-ask-what-they-have-on-the-lot experience. The reason is that the Lucid rep is doing test drives all day, knows the car better than most car salespersons know their products, and has a standard spiel that walks through the key features of the car. It was not rushed and included both city and freeway driving
(in which I was encouraged to punch the throttle, even in sprint mode, when conditions allowed). It was a good experience and I was very impressed by the car (more importantly, my wife was too).

As an aside, I mentioned to the rep some of the things I have been reading on this and other forums from those who have already received their cars, including some of the extremely unflattering reports about (mostly) software gremlins (and missing functionality) they have encountered. I got the clear sense that he, and presumably Lucid, are following these reports as closely as we are.

 

[hydbob]

I test drove an AGT in Scottsdale yesterday. I have been invited to confirm my ACT order but haven’t yet. The only requirement for the test drive was to make a fully refundable deposit, which I did last November. They are doing 4 test drives a day and are scheduling about one week out. The test drive was much better than the traditional walk-into-the-showroom-and-ask-what-they-have-on-the-lot experience. The reason is that the Lucid rep is doing test drives all day, knows the car better than most car salespersons know their products, and has a standard spiel that walks through the key features of the car. It was not rushed and included both city and freeway driving
(in which I was encouraged to punch the throttle, even in sprint mode, when conditions allowed). It was a good experience and I was very impressed by the car (more importantly, my wife was too).

As an aside, I mentioned to the rep some of the things I have been reading on this and other forums from those who have already received their cars, including some of the extremely unflattering reports about (mostly) software gremlins (and missing functionality) they have encountered. I got the clear sense that he, and presumably Lucid, are following these reports as closely as we are.

Who did you get as your rep in Scottsdale?

 

[Bockius]

Who did you get as your rep in Scottsdale?

I believe his name is Amir but I’m not sure. He was good.

 

[Maverick]

I believe his name is Amir but I’m not sure. He was good.

I've test driven with Amir as well, and I agree, he is very good. Your information lines up with mine in that I think you still need to have been invited to confirm the reservation. Welcome to the forum. I'm assuming your in the Phoenix area?

 

[Adnillien]

Amir must be the main test drive person is Scottsdale since that is also who I was with. Yes he is very nice and knowledgeable with good explanations. Like you, I was pleased that he not only let me "play" in sprint mode but encouraged it. Even though I thought that the route could have been better, I was very happy with the test drive.