In a pre-pandemic global supply chain normal world, yeah, I'd agree that Lucid should be able to supply pricing on options. As a Touring reservation holder, I am frustrated that this information isn't available (especially the glass canopy). But, I acknowledge there are issues outside Lucid's control - some of which Rob Stark and Dortreo have tried to point out. I've handled IT contracts for a Fortune 100 company. My daughter is a contract manager for a huge company.
When large established company X deals with large established company Y, it's pretty cut and dried. They both trust that each will fulfill the terms of the contract. But when established company X is asked to allocate part of it's monthly output capacity to new company 1 that has no track record and is producing a product it has never built before, there isn't any trust. So company X isn't willing to guarantee contractually to supply company 1's projected annual needs at $Z per unit. They may only agree to a 3 month supply at a specified price. Company 1 may not be willing to commit to a unit number demanded by the supplier. Company 1 will be forced to negotiate a price for the next 3 month period and hope that another established company hasn't stepped in and bought out the rest of the production capacity of Company X (something that's been known to happen to curtail competition from company 1).
So large established car manufacturers can enter into contracts with suppliers they have had long term relations with guaranteeing product availability and pricing. The supplying company is confident the buyer will fulfill the contract, not go out of business and can block out that production capacity. BMW might be able to use component A in the iX, i4, i5, i7 models so if they miss their estimate on 1 model, no big deal. Lucid and Rivian have both commented that suppliers doubt their viability and it's been difficult for them to find suppliers. So if they are only able to secure short term supply contracts, they have no idea what the cost will be the next go-around and whether they will have to go to an alternate supplier.
This isn't rocket science, it's economics. Suppliers only have X capacity. They enter into contracts with trusted companies. Start-ups get what is left and have to hope there is enough. Just as some car dealerships are posting incredible mark-ups, suppliers can do the same to Lucid. Supply and demand - look at what happened in the home real estate market in most of the country. Try getting your hands on a PS5 or Xbox. I don't know whether Rivian or Lucid is taking the right approach - option pricing are estimates or not disclosing pricing until it is firmed up. I think you get ticked off customers either way. But it points to the likelihood that neither know what the cost will be in 6 months.
It's not rocket science but it is hard. Just ask the 10 people who lost out on the house they wanted because they didn't guess what the highest offer would be or they just weren't willing to go that high.
