Gravity Orders Discussion

[GeraltOfRivian]

Silly question, but haven’t found a concrete source on this. Will the Gravity have Lidar?

 

[Blue Lectroid]

Silly question, but haven’t found a concrete source on this. Will the Gravity have Lidar?

I cannot imagine that it won’t given that Air does…

 

[TakeDuo]

Silly question, but haven’t found a concrete source on this. Will the Gravity have Lidar?

Both the Air (with LiDAR) and Gravity with DDP are noted to have 32 sensors for the ADAS. And images of the recent Gravity deliveries show the same LiDAR sensor that appears on the Air in a similar location.

 

[Adnillien]

The interesting thing about the Gravity Lidar is that it is built into the frunk hood so it moves when opening and closing the frunk. I asked some of the Lucid team about alignment and calibration of the Lidar since it is on a movable part of the car. Nobody from the ADAS team was there and no one else had a good answer. I assume any changes in aligment are resolved during ADAS sensor fusion.

 

[tonykerf1]

is anyone worried about paying 100-130k for this suv and then lucid goes out of business? What do you all think? I have the air but leased it due to this concern, is their a possibility they go bankrupt and we are left dealing with the car and stuck? What would happen

 

[Blue Lectroid]

is anyone worried about paying 100-130k for this suv and then lucid goes out of business? What do you all think? I have the air but leased it due to this concern, is their a possibility they go bankrupt and we are left dealing with the car and stuck? What would happen

Lucid is backed by the Saudi Private Wealth Fund. I guess if Saudi Arabia goes bankrupt there could be a problem, but that is highly unlikely. There are lots of posts here on the Forum about this topic if you search. Personally I am not at all worried about it.

 

[sri]

is anyone worried about paying 100-130k for this suv and then lucid goes out of business? What do you all think? I have the air but leased it due to this concern, is their a possibility they go bankrupt and we are left dealing with the car and stuck? What would happen

We’ll still have the same question in 2027: Is anyone worried about paying $50K for a midsize SUV if Lucid goes out of business?
We really need to stop paying attention to all the FUD being spread by other fan groups. If PIF wasn’t committed to Lucid, they wouldn’t have participated in the last two funding rounds. The tree has grown, and they’re now waiting for it to bear fruit. These funds aren’t foolish enough to cut down the tree right before it starts producing results.

 

[WeighingGravity]

I am concerned. I think you'll find most on here are not.

I agree that the Saudi PIF is a very strong financial backer with basically unendingly deep pockets and a strategic interest in diversifying off oil. That's the strongest argument for why they won't go under. The PIF may not even really care about traditional economic returns - to a point.

On the other hand, the company continues to burn a ton of cash and I don't think even your richest uncle keeps spending money on an expensive sapling hoping it will someday bear some fruit. He's got other saplings, and even if he has different economic expectations, he might start to wonder whether the fruit will actually be worth it. The global car market is growing, but it's pretty stagnant in terms of overall units in the USA (over a long term), so it's not like Lucid is running into greenfield here. So burning a ton of cash like you might in a, say, software investment, isn't necessarily the same here.

I am not swayed by arguments that suggest that any concern is just rumor-mongering from haters and Tesla fanboys. If it were just a few internet crazies, the stock wouldn't be at $3.

I hope the Saudis stick it out. I'm invested in more ways than one - I own a significant enough (for me) holding in LCID and I have an order for a Gravity in place. I think LCID will help themselves if they can start delivering cars at volume and start cutting into their cash burn.

Just my opinion. Let my stoning commence.

 

[Knucklehead]

is anyone worried about paying 100-130k for this suv and then lucid goes out of business? What do you all think? I have the air but leased it due to this concern, is their a possibility they go bankrupt and we are left dealing with the car and stuck? What would happen

Yes, I am.

Sure the Saudis are invested, heavily, but that is sunk cost. Any good businessman will walk away from a bad deal to keep from losing more money. Will they? I hope not, because I agree it is the primary reason Lucid has survived so far.

Lucid's products are industry leading. I really, really hope they can survive. If they can, they will be a great car company.

I have never leased a car before. Ever. If I get a Gravity, I will lease it for exactly the reason you are concerned. If Lucid goes under before my lease expires, whomever purchases the leases (I assume someone will) will expect payments to continue, probably. So I will be paying for a car that cannot be serviced or repaired. But that is better than owning it. At least at the end of the three years I can walk away.

All that sounds so pessimistic, but to me it is just risk mitigation. I am generally optimistic about their future. I think Lucid vehicles are amazing, especially the Gravity minivan. They have a decent shot if they can avoid running out of cash.

 

[hydbob]

is anyone worried about paying 100-130k for this suv and then lucid goes out of business? What do you all think? I have the air but leased it due to this concern, is their a possibility they go bankrupt and we are left dealing with the car and stuck? What would happen

Nah. Having the first vehicle manufacturing plants in the Kingdom makes it a low chance, IMO, they let Lucid go under. Everyone talks about cash burn being so much, but forget that cash burn is from getting 2 factories online. PIF knew ahead of time the cash required and the timeline. This is nothing new...at all to anyone who actually paid attention.

 

[borski]

Nah. Having the first vehicle manufacturing plants in the Kingdom makes it a low chance, IMO, they let Lucid go under. Everyone talks about cash burn being so much, but forget that cash burn is from getting 2 factories online. PIF knew ahead of time the cash required and the timeline. This is nothing new...at all to anyone who actually paid attention.

Precisely. Also, this is a very small percentage of the PIF.

 

[flarbear]

I would imagine that the PIF has better information about Lucid's roadmap and plans than the average investor?

 

[HC_79]

I would imagine that the PIF has better information about Lucid's roadmap and plans than the average investor?

To an extent. Given Lucid is publicly traded they can’t favor the PIF over any other investors. That would get into dicey territory.

 

[borski]

I would imagine that the PIF has better information about Lucid's roadmap and plans than the average investor?

Nah

 

[illopp00]

The best way to hedge is to lease; but otherwise buy used. The only major risk is financial loss from excess depreciation, otherwise the car will still function and there will be many contingencies to allow customers get out of the situation should it arise. I saw a Fisker Ocean driving around just fine today. Lucid has cash well into end of 2026, it is possible they might have to find another partner to pick up if PIF decides to slow down investments. Not trying worry anyone, but I do see some negative sentiment that is tied to anti-EV coming from the region from those in the Oil industry as they struggle with oil demand from comments on the Lucid posts on Linkedin.

Here is a link to the PIF annual report for 2023, can wait until they publish 2024, but the company is featured well in the report. I would like to see some portion 100K unit order commitment start being fulfilled by the Saudi Govt to really drive home their support. The PIF has also invested in a company to help build out Fast Charger infrastructure.

Annual Reports

PIF continued to demonstrate progress against its 2021-2025 strategy, achieved significant growth in its Assets Under Management, and outlined significant achievements against its annual targets.

www.pif.gov.sa

Worst case is they get merged with Aston Martin and like every other British automaker that perpetually goes bankrupt (McLaren, Aston Martin, Lotus) gets bought up by a new owner....

 

[Blue Lectroid]

Have a look at this if you think the PIF will stop funding Lucid…

EV maker Lucid becomes first global automotive manufacturing company to join ‘Made in Saudi’ program

RIYADH: Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has become the first global automotive company to join the Kingdom’s “Made in Saudi” program as the country continues strengthening its industrial capabilities. The milestone grants Lucid the right to use the “Saudi Made” label on its products...

www.arabnews.com

Lucid is one of the cornerstones of a COUNTRY-wide initiative and, unlike the good ol’ US of A where our concept of long term strategy is the 2-year term in the House or, at best, a Peesident’s 4-year term, there are folks out there who really do look WAY down the road. It’s the way the Japanese ate Detroit’s lunch beginning in the 70’ — relentless long term strategy / focus and a willingness to lose money in the short term.

Bet against this approach at your own risk. It’s generally always wins the day…

 

[momo3605]

Have a look at this if you think the PIF will stop funding Lucid…

EV maker Lucid becomes first global automotive manufacturing company to join ‘Made in Saudi’ program

RIYADH: Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors has become the first global automotive company to join the Kingdom’s “Made in Saudi” program as the country continues strengthening its industrial capabilities. The milestone grants Lucid the right to use the “Saudi Made” label on its products...

www.arabnews.com

Lucid is one of the cornerstones of a COUNTRY-wide initiative and, unlike the good ol’ US of A where our concept of long term strategy is the 2-year term in the House or, at best, a Peesident’s 4-year term, there are folks out there who really do look WAY down the road. It’s the way the Japanese ate Detroit’s lunch beginning in the 70’ — relentless long term strategy / focus and a willingness to lose money in the short term.

Bet against this approach at your own risk. It’s generally always wins the day…

The Japanese “ate Detroit’s lunch” (and the Germans) by providing competing products that were not only more reliable and well built, but half the price of their German and American competitors. Once they built a reputation, sales volume, and loyalty, their pricing moved more inline with the industry.

Lucid is following a different strategy. Offer a luxury product that you could argue is better product in many ways…but
You’re also charging more money for it. This strategy can work maybe, but it’s not the same. If Lucid came out swinging with a loaded Air GT for $70k and a loaded Gravity GT for $80k, then absolutely I would agree with you!

 

[Blue Lectroid]

The Japanese “ate Detroit’s lunch” (and the Germans) by providing competing products that were not only more reliable and well built, but half the price of their German and American competitors. Once they built a reputation, sales volume, and loyalty, their pricing moved more inline with the industry.

Lucid is following a different strategy. Offer a luxury product that you could argue is better product in many ways…but
You’re also charging more money for it. This strategy can work maybe, but it’s not the same. If Lucid came out swinging with a loaded Air GT for $70k and a loaded Gravity GT for $80k, then absolutely I would agree with you!

Valid points in terms of price/quality and why the Japanese were so successful! That said, they could never have done that without a very long term focus as well. And remember, we need only look as far back as Tesla to see an example of the strategy Lucid is pursuing…and it certainly worked. The key is, can Lucid retain its engineering focus and edge long enough to get prices down to be “mass market enough” to provide economies of scale. We’ll know for sure in a couple more years, right? In the meantime I maintain that there is zero chance the PIG folds before seeing the mid-sized platform through to production at scale…

Of course I could also be wrong!! LOL.

 

[Murcie]

Someone on Reddit shared 20 pictures of a production vehicle being showcased in Las Vegas.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LUCID/s/NEkDbJqtE1

 

[tonykerf1]

Do you guys think buying this car brand new is a good buy if planning to keep longer than five years , like when do you think u will lose the most value, I’m just afraid of losing so much value but want to buy it and have it early before most people have it and don’t want to wait! Lol