Forum Recommendations for the Company’s Forward Strategy

[Lucidicrous]

Lucid is clearly on the right track. The company has mastered the toughest aspects of building a truly exceptional EV: range, charging speed, battery performance, interior space, and ride quality. At the moment, no other automaker has achieved this level of balance in a single vehicle.

Lucid’s target market isn’t chasing Toyota-like reliability or Tesla’s tech-centric approach. It appeals instead to those who dream of driving Porsches, Ferraris, or Bugattis but often end up behind the wheel of BMWs or Mercedes. Historically, no American brand has embodied that image—until Lucid.

The next midsize model needs to be perfect in every dimension. The design should be stripped to its essentials to achieve that goal but without compromising on range, charging capability, battery technology, space, or driving dynamics. It should be priced strategically so the AMP2 lineup sells out instantly across the Middle East, while also attracting strong demand in the United States, Asia, and Europe.

After extensive real-world testing and refinement—once 99% of potential issues are resolved—Lucid could then release its other luxury or L4++ midsize models.

 

[EZEVDriver]

It goes back to the differentiators that the Lucid Air had back in 2021-23:

1. Range, efficiency, and charging
2. Interior space vs. exterior envelope
3. Driving characteristics (handling, smoothness, acceleration, etc...)

I would leave off the list characteristics in which they are clearly not in the forefront:

• DD/DDPremium/DDPro (both v1 and v2)
• UI/Software
• Bidirectional charging/V2L/V2H/V2G

The midsize needs to out-compete on all the differentiators above in its class (Model Y, Ioniq 5, etc...), except for range, which could provide cost savings through a smaller battery. And it just needs to get its act together on its ADAS strategy while providing a smooth UX/UI 3.0 experience at launch.

The competitive landscape for EVs in the US is shrinking. With Tesla aversion still being a significant factor, Lucid has a path forward if it can handle the technical, logistical and financial challenges.

 

[MSH2]

I have had a GT for over three years and love it. Lucid has had the luxury of almost unlimited funding which is both a blessing and curse. Their marketing is as dreadful as their car is great. The single best way to sell a Lucid is to drive one. Lucid almost tries to make this as difficult as possible. The only place to drive a Lucid in Florida is in the Miami area and the downtown area is a nightmare to get to. While it is great having a rare car as people almost four years later ask me who makes it, it has a down side. The car has lost almost half its value. Few people want to buy a new one and less want to buy a used one. I would love to buy a Gravity, but I am not sure is worth another $23,000 a year to drive one. I keep thinking it will change but haven’t seen any evidence that it will. Mike

 

[TahoeMichael]

For the coming mid-size, I'll be fascinated to see what choice they're making for battery size and range. I agree with Rawlinson's thought that the market will move towards efficient vehicles with smaller batteries, particularly as the charging infrastructure continues to improve. But I do think it's a really difficult product design decision to judge exactly when the right moment is to reduce range. Just to pick one difficult question from a whole array that exist: is slower charging resulting from smaller battery packs okay, or do you need to wait for a faster charging battery chemistry that could maintain Gravity's high charging rate even as the cell count shrinks? For me personally, the Gravity GT is much more attractive than the Touring just because of the slower charging from reduced cell count, but many people might not feel the same.

 

[agarner]

My recommendations are focus on fixing all the issues in the current models. My infotainment center works for about 4 days max before there is a problem with phone connectivity or playing music. It's been like this for 8 months of ownership. Fix the wind noise too. For an expensive luxury car it's too noisy for me.

 

[Hammerthyme]

I would leave off the list characteristics in which they are clearly not in the forefront:

• DD/DDPremium/DDPro (both v1 and v2)
• UI/Software
• Bidirectional charging/V2L/V2H/V2G

The Ioniq 5 Limited Edition is in this price range. It has Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering, a pretty robust Android Auto implementation, and V2L through onboard power outlets and a reasonably priced attachment for the charging port. The expectations in the market are pretty high, even for a vehicle half the cost of Air/Gravity. It absolutely needs to retain what made Lucid cars great to drive, but the features you can safely leave off and be competitive have dwindled.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Here is what I view as the key disconnect in my perception of Lucid's strategy... While I applaud Lucid's accomplishments building the manufacturing capacity for a high-volume midsize product, I think they are way behind in having the service and support infrastructure to handle anywhere near their anticipated demand. I view this as a key 'gotcha' in multiple ways. First off, even as limited as it is, Lucid's installed base has grown increasingly frustrated with their inability to get timely service, and phone support is not even a 24/7 proposition. This is already hurting Air and Gravity demand. I don't think such frustrations would be the case if the service & support ramp was where it should be, and if the Air/Gravity community is still grousing about it at the midsize launch, I'm pretty sure that demand will be stifled at the onset.

 

[socktucker]

They need to have BASIC things like remote roll up windows, creep that works, headlight time outs, auto dim dash, wireless charging that works, sunshades for the roof glass, hi res camera, parking that actually works, etc. just basics stuff. It’s like they blew all their money on the battery tech (which doesn’t impress the mass market) instead of having even the standard equipment of a mid tier Kia or a Tesla Model 3.

It’s baffling to me that so many features in the car are half assed or cheap. It’s weird.

 

[socktucker]

Here is what I view as the key disconnect in my perception of Lucid's strategy... While I applaud Lucid's accomplishments building the manufacturing capacity for a high-volume midsize product, I think they are way behind in having the service and support infrastructure to handle anywhere near their anticipated demand. I view this as a key 'gotcha' in multiple ways. First off, even as limited as it is, Lucid's installed base has grown increasingly frustrated with their inability to get timely service, and phone support is not even a 24/7 proposition. This is already hurting Air and Gravity demand. I don't think such frustrations would be the case if the service & support ramp was where it should be, and if the Air/Gravity community is still grousing about it at the midsize launch, I'm pretty sure that demand will be stifled at the onset.

If support and service was within an hour of my house I wouldn’t be so mad about owning a car that needs so much support and service.

 

[agarner]

It’s baffling to me that so many features in the car are half assed or cheap. It’s weird.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[HC_79]

If support and service was within an hour of my house I wouldn’t be so mad about owning a car that needs so much support and service.

I agree, the support and service needs drastic improvement. If people are already seeing wait times extend to 2 to 3 weeks once the car is in service for Air & Gravity then the midsize will kill them unless they overhaul the entire Service process. For such low volume cars that the Air and Gravity are it shouldn’t be this bad already.

 

[socktucker]

For such low volume cars that the Air and Gravity are it shouldn’t be this bad already.

Somewhere they went for the Minimum Viable Product route and here we are.

 

[Bdr100]

They need to have BASIC things like remote roll up windows, creep that works, headlight time outs, auto dim dash, wireless charging that works, sunshades for the roof glass, hi res camera, parking that actually works, etc. just basics stuff. It’s like they blew all their money on the battery tech (which doesn’t impress the mass market) instead of having even the standard equipment of a mid tier Kia or a Tesla Model 3.

It’s baffling to me that so many features in the car are half assed or cheap. It’s weird.

With 3.4.1, I have auto dim dash now.

 

[exelon]

1. Good software that works.
2. Make sure no one will mistake it for a minivan.
3. Phone chargers.
4. Hyundai level interior with a lucid name.
5. Good software
6. Good QA
7. Good software at release

 

[gaskiller]

Here is what I view as the key disconnect in my perception of Lucid's strategy... While I applaud Lucid's accomplishments building the manufacturing capacity for a high-volume midsize product, I think they are way behind in having the service and support infrastructure to handle anywhere near their anticipated demand. I view this as a key 'gotcha' in multiple ways. First off, even as limited as it is, Lucid's installed base has grown increasingly frustrated with their inability to get timely service, and phone support is not even a 24/7 proposition. This is already hurting Air and Gravity demand. I don't think such frustrations would be the case if the service & support ramp was where it should be, and if the Air/Gravity community is still grousing about it at the midsize launch, I'm pretty sure that demand will be stifled at the onset.

They announced they will be expanding service to be ready for midsize release

 

[TahoeMichael]

They announced they will be expanding service to be ready for midsize release

If they hadn't released the Gravity with an overwhelming volume of software flaws, their service scale out might have been just fine for the Gravity release. Hopefully that lesson is clear to them.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

If they hadn't released the Gravity with an overwhelming volume of software flaws, their service scale out might have been just fine for the Gravity release. Hopefully that lesson is clear to them.

...but I've had an Air for 27 months, and have watched Air demand ramp up quite dramatically. Then, following a dismally slow launch, Gravity demand is now rising steadily. Even with the unexpected Gravity delays, I don't think the service infrastructure has risen anywhere near enough to match even this demand. Hence the now common long service wait times. Now, picture the much larger demand for mid-size, driven not only by the form factor, but also by diminished concern about Lucid viability. If they have not ramped up enough to meet even current demand, how on earth are they on track to meet the quantum leap of mid-size demand? Bear in mind that it's not just a matter of hiring and training technicians, as many more service locations are a must, as is the ability to handle service and support calls 24/7. I can't see how Lucid isn't flying on the back side of that power curve.

 

[TahoeMichael]

...but I've had an Air for 27 months, and have watched Air demand ramp up quite dramatically. Then, following a dismally slow launch, Gravity demand is now rising steadily. Even with the unexpected Gravity delays, I don't think the service infrastructure has risen anywhere near enough to match even this demand. Hence the now common long service wait times. Now, picture the much larger demand for mid-size, driven not only by the form factor, but also by diminished concern about Lucid viability. If they have not ramped up enough to meet current demand, how on earth are they on track to meet the quantum leap of mid-size demand? Bear in mind that it's not just a matter of hiring and training technicians, as many more service locations are a must, as is the ability to handle service and support calls 24/7. I can't see how Lucid isn't flying on the back side of the power curve.

I definitely agree that there's not much sign of Lucid ramping up service in prep for the mid-size launch.

 

[illopp00]

I have had a GT for over three years and love it. Lucid has had the luxury of almost unlimited funding which is both a blessing and curse. Their marketing is as dreadful as their car is great. The single best way to sell a Lucid is to drive one. Lucid almost tries to make this as difficult as possible. The only place to drive a Lucid in Florida is in the Miami area and the downtown area is a nightmare to get to. While it is great having a rare car as people almost four years later ask me who makes it, it has a down side. The car has lost almost half its value. Few people want to buy a new one and less want to buy a used one. I would love to buy a Gravity, but I am not sure is worth another $23,000 a year to drive one. I keep thinking it will change but haven’t seen any evidence that it will. Mike

I would love to see a little bit different marketing approach now as well, I think they can still lean on the Iron Man R8 effect, try to get the Cars brand awareness through a featuring in a movie, TV show or video games. At some point lending cars to youtubers/influencers degrades to the lowest common denominator. And the celebrity endorsements are probably significantly less effective in 2025 than in 2002. I do think they need to figure out how to support the secondary market, the issue with a fender bender potentially totaling a used car is a big issue.

 

[illopp00]

For the coming mid-size, I'll be fascinated to see what choice they're making for battery size and range. I agree with Rawlinson's thought that the market will move towards efficient vehicles with smaller batteries, particularly as the charging infrastructure continues to improve. But I do think it's a really difficult product design decision to judge exactly when the right moment is to reduce range. Just to pick one difficult question from a whole array that exist: is slower charging resulting from smaller battery packs okay, or do you need to wait for a faster charging battery chemistry that could maintain Gravity's high charging rate even as the cell count shrinks? For me personally, the Gravity GT is much more attractive than the Touring just because of the slower charging from reduced cell count, but many people might not feel the same.

Touring effectively charges faster than the GT on Tesla because it's the same charge rate except better efficiency? It still charges at 350 or so on 800V so the different is like 2 mins.