Gravity [Grand Touring] Reservations Tracker

[jbrichgels]

Any chance we can update the tracker to include the following?
1) delivered (with date)
2) vin assigned (with date)
3) production started date and then..
4) preparing for delivery (date)

This is what I’m used to from the early Tesla trackers.

And could we add an update that shows whether the vehicle you took possession of is the one you ordered or an orphan vehicle that you grabbed? I am curious how many orphan vehicles really exist.

 

[WeighingGravity]

We've all been saying "orphan" but I'm not sure that's exactly the right analogous word to use. Orphan implies that they built it to the spec of a pre-existing order and the holder of that order decided they didn't want it. But based on the number of these so-called-orphans we're seeing, I can't imagine that this is really what's going on.

I suspect that Lucid is building the cars they can build: Colors that are production-ready, in the highest trim specs they don't have supply chain constraints on - and then letting existing order holders race to snap them up while the demand outstrips their supply capacity and people are willing to settle for any Gravity they can get their hands on. I'm just not seeing a whole bunch of older order holders having their orders fulfilled one by one.

I have no idea why they would do it this way, because I think it frustrates people who have had long order waits. They could say to the older order holders "we can schedule your build but you will have to settle for not having X and Y if you want it" and use a process like that to knock people off the list, but based on the fact that I've had two orders for a long time and not received any of those calls, nor has anyone else I have heard of on the forum, I don't think they're doing that. It appears to be a "push" strategy, not a "build to order" one. Admittedly this proposed process would likely take more SA effort.

But I just don't know what logic is being used to make these builds. I guess, as long as nothing gets too "orphaned," it's a successful strategy while the order backlog is high and people are willing to settle. But it comes at an emotional cost.

I don't know what word is better than orphan - maybe "push cars?"

But what do I know?

 

[jbrichgels]

We've all been saying "orphan" but I'm not sure that's exactly the right analogous word to use. Orphan implies that they built it to the spec of a pre-existing order and the holder of that order decided they didn't want it. But based on the number of these so-called-orphans we're seeing, I can't imagine that this is really what's going on.

I suspect that Lucid is building the cars they can build: Colors that are production-ready, in the highest trim specs they don't have supply chain constraints on - and then letting existing order holders race to snap them up while the demand outstrips their supply capacity and people are willing to settle for any Gravity they can get their hands on. I'm just not seeing a whole bunch of older order holders having their orders fulfilled one by one.

I have no idea why they would do it this way, because I think it frustrates people who have had long order waits. They could say to the older order holders "we can schedule your build but you will have to settle for not having X and Y if you want it" and use a process like that to knock people off the list, but based on the fact that I've had two orders for a long time and not received any of those calls, nor has anyone else I have heard of on the forum, I don't think they're doing that. It appears to be a "push" strategy, not a "build to order" one. Admittedly this proposed process would likely take more SA effort.

But I just don't know what logic is being used to make these builds. I guess, as long as nothing gets too "orphaned," it's a successful strategy while the order backlog is high and people are willing to settle. But it comes at an emotional cost.

I don't know what word is better than orphan - maybe "push cars?"

But what do I know?

I think your assumptions are sound. It seems clear that our SA can look at a list of cars available to them (so I assume can be delivered to their geographic location) that don't have a purchaser assigned to them. So you are right that "orphan" isn't what they are. And you are right that it's a frustrating process. Now that we have decided that we would take a different vehicle from what we have ordered, I am on this forum too much, trying to gauge how this process is playing out. And because I think it is unlikely we will get one of these push cars (maybe unclaimed is the word), I am working on readjusting my expectations and just waiting for our ordered vehicle again! And I have gone back to considering plan B options because we have been without an EV as our main vehicle much longer than we thought we would be (we sold our Model X last December). We are new to Lucid, so we were naive about how long the process was likely to take.

I like your idea of starting with the oldest orders and offering them one of these unclaimed cars. The logistics are complicated but it seems fairer. You are basically relying on the effectiveness of your SA to get you one of the unclaimed vehicles at the moment. And I think we have a pretty effective SA but still don't think we will get access to one of these unclaimed vehicles.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

I’d use the word “inventory” for those cars at this point. And I agree - I think it’s a mix of building what they can build and folks not taking delivery for whatever reason.

Aside from HUD, power outlets seem to be the biggest constraint. I keep hearing/seeing folks on the forum picking up these inventory cars and many don’t have the power package.

 

[Neilnaples]

We've all been saying "orphan" but I'm not sure that's exactly the right analogous word to use. Orphan implies that they built it to the spec of a pre-existing order and the holder of that order decided they didn't want it. But based on the number of these so-called-orphans we're seeing, I can't imagine that this is really what's going on.

I suspect that Lucid is building the cars they can build: Colors that are production-ready, in the highest trim specs they don't have supply chain constraints on - and then letting existing order holders race to snap them up while the demand outstrips their supply capacity and people are willing to settle for any Gravity they can get their hands on. I'm just not seeing a whole bunch of older order holders having their orders fulfilled one by one.

I have no idea why they would do it this way, because I think it frustrates people who have had long order waits. They could say to the older order holders "we can schedule your build but you will have to settle for not having X and Y if you want it" and use a process like that to knock people off the list, but based on the fact that I've had two orders for a long time and not received any of those calls, nor has anyone else I have heard of on the forum, I don't think they're doing that. It appears to be a "push" strategy, not a "build to order" one. Admittedly this proposed process would likely take more SA effort.

But I just don't know what logic is being used to make these builds. I guess, as long as nothing gets too "orphaned," it's a successful strategy while the order backlog is high and people are willing to settle. But it comes at an emotional cost.

I don't know what word is better than orphan - maybe "push cars?"

But what do I know?

So the GDE that I picked up in Miami 10 days ago was truly an orphan. The buyer’s financing fell through and the bank(s) would not give them a loan. Something about a person making 100K buying a 140K car with 4 other car loans. Their loss was my gain - I had been speaking with my SA about taking any GDE just 15 minutes earlier when this orphan appeared. He called and it was mine two days laters. It’s obviously a matter of luck and timing. And having a SA that is working for you makes all the difference. Good luck to everyone - my real GDE order was then of course cancelled. I originally wanted a 5 seat GGT but now I am happy with the 7 seat dream edition (especially after seeing the 5 and 7 seat versions look about the same when the seats are folded down).

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

I have “given in” on certain items like platinum or dd premium v pro, even sound, but I can’t get over the idea of not having the outlets. Even though I could get a massive Anker power device with 5 outlets for like $400 on Amazon… I think I’d have a Gravity VIN, and maybe even the car, if I’d been willing to get it without power. Those are, I think, “inventory” cars and power is some sort of constraint. Which is somewhat ironic in an EV…not like outlets are new tech.

 

[WeighingGravity]

Inventory cars is a much better word. It still boggles my mind that they'd build inventory orders before fulfilling specific customer orders that have been in hand - unless none of the pre-orders are for no-power, no-tech specs. And I guess that passes a sniff test considering that >75% of the pre-orders registered here have the tech package.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

Inventory cars is a much better word. It still boggles my mind that they'd build inventory orders before fulfilling specific customer orders that have been in hand - unless none of the pre-orders are for no-power, no-tech specs. And I guess that passes a sniff test considering that >75% of the pre-orders registered here have the tech package.

Only Lucid really knows configs in highest demand. Regardless, they’d build with power outlets if they could (I believe). Every other option (like dynamic handling, surreal sound, etc) seems to be on the inventory cars.