I asked Lucid to sneak me in for a test drive in Dallas this Saturday. This was their response.

[mac26mac]

Background: My wife drives an etron edition 1 (May, 2019). It's getting long-in-the-tooth. I intend to fly to Dallas with my wife so that she can test drive the car (so that she can make up her mind if she wants that or the Q6 etron). It's a 1000 mile flight for us. And the only day that works for us is Saturday -- the only day that's sold out for test drives. (None of the other test drive dates work for us due to other travel or work plans). I've had my DE since December, 2021.

Hello Mario,



Unfortunately, we’re unable to book or add any Gravity TD’s on my our end since it’s fully booked. I’d encourage you to come in towards the end of the day to squeeze in for a short drive on Saturday. Please note that there’s no guarantee but you will see the vehicle in person at least.



Coffee, donuts, and bagels will be provided in the morning.

 

[borski]

They run the drives in really strict 20 minute increments, so that’s why it’s hopeful you’ll be able to drive one toward the end of the day. But it’s not like they can bump someone who already reserved, right? Aside from the 20 minute test drive, you’d have as much time as you wanted to play with the studio car, the screens, seats, etc.

 

[mac26mac]

Seems like the better response would have been -- "I'll get you in contact with our local management of the studio and we'll make sure that you get a drive, time not guaranteed, but guaranteed that you'll get a drive."

I'm not saying that they should do that for everyone, but I mean...early adoption has to have some perks, right? I'm not hopping on a plane for some free coffee and doughnuts.

(To their credit, the sales guy did do it...but only after I raised a bit of a stink about it).

 

[hydbob]

Seems like the better response would have been -- "I'll get you in contact with our local management of the studio and we'll make sure that you get a drive, time not guaranteed, but guaranteed that you'll get a drive."

I'm not saying that they should do that for everyone, but I mean...early adoption has to have some perks, right? I'm not hopping on a plane for some free coffee and doughnuts.

(To their credit, the sales guy did do it...but only after I raised a bit of a stink about it).

Seems like if you were that insistent on getting a test drive you should have scheduled one via their reservation system when they opened up, rather than expecting a favor because you were an early adopter. But that's just me.

 

[Leftlane]

I think their response is spot on and it’s silly to expect more when there are a ton of people waiting on (and scheduling ahead) their test drive for that day. You will probably still get to drive it, but to think you deserve more from them is a little much. And aren’t you hopping on a plane for other reasons altogether anyway?

 

[Neurio]

 

[Bunnylebowski]

Lucid of course wants to give as many opportunities to drive the limited number of vehicles available at this time to as many people as possible. That requires organization, and sticking to schedules as these vehicles are being moved across the country until more are produced. I was an early adopter of the GT, mine was built in March 2022. There were no test drives at all at that time as every produced vehicle was going to a customer. What they are doing with Gravity is an improvement. Just some perspective. Lucid is doing everything they can with the resources available, and all prospective/likely buyers get the same treatment for now.

 

[mac26mac]

I think their response is spot on and it’s silly to expect more when there are a ton of people waiting on (and scheduling ahead) their test drive for that day. You will probably still get to drive it, but to think you deserve more from them is a little much. And aren’t you hopping on a plane for other reasons altogether anyway?

Nope. I am flying down there to drive the car. I'll find other stuff to fill my time, sure, but the main purpose of the trip is to drive the car. I'd like to buy my wife a new car. Initially, she didn't want to look at Lucid (she doesn't like my Air). But the range piques her interest. So we put down a deposit on a DE. I've been working with a sales person. I asked about drives. He said no. Then I got an email from Lucid a few days later about drives. My work schedule cleared up unexpectedly (after the event had sold out), so I have time this weekend to go down and take a look before we buy.

It's between the Gravity and any of the forthcoming PPE-platform VAG EVs for her.

 

[mac26mac]

Lucid of course wants to give as many opportunities to drive the limited number of vehicles available at this time to as many people as possible. That requires organization, and sticking to schedules as these vehicles are being moved across the country until more are produced. I was an early adopter of the GT, mine was built in March 2022. There were no test drives at all at that time as every produced vehicle was going to a customer. What they are doing with Gravity is an improvement. Just some perspective. Lucid is doing everything they can with the resources available, and all prospective/likely buyers get the same treatment for now.

I get it. I bought mine sight-unseen in December of 2021. I took delivery at 9pm in pitch dark.

 

[mac26mac]

Seems like if you were that insistent on getting a test drive you should have scheduled one via their reservation system when they opened up, rather than expecting a favor because you were an early adopter. But that's just me.

I live a 3-4 hour drive from the nearest showroom. And that showroom won't be getting any examples any time soon. So it requires a plane ride for me if I want to see it. I wasn't sure if I'd go to Dallas or any of the other cities. So why would I sign up until I had a clear idea of when my travels and work schedule would permit a trip.

And, as an early adopter yourself, don't you think you deserve a bit of deference? After all, you (and some of the rest of us) were out there evangelizing for the company.

 

[Batteryman]

Nope. I am flying down there to drive the car. I'll find other stuff to fill my time, sure, but the main purpose of the trip is to drive the car. I'd like to buy my wife a new car. Initially, she didn't want to look at Lucid (she doesn't like my Air). But the range piques her interest. So we put down a deposit on a DE. I've been working with a sales person. I asked about drives. He said no. Then I got an email from Lucid a few days later about drives. My work schedule cleared up unexpectedly (after the event had sold out), so I have time this weekend to go down and take a look before we buy.

It's between the Gravity and any of the forthcoming PPE-platform VAG EVs for her.

I don't see why they should accomodate when all slots are filled up. It just means somone else who booked one does not get a drive.

 

[Bunnylebowski]

Yeah you know the drill then. At least the sales guy is making it work out, but I’m not surprised they didn’t think initially they could accommodate, even though you got a last minute opportunity to make it after reservations were full, so that’s actually cool they were able to figure something out.

 

[Impatient7536]

do i sense a new forum copypasta or meme? where would it rank amongst the GOATs of demanding to meet the CEO, have executives personally call them, and powder coated wheels?

 

[L-Dude]

Appropriate response by Lucid IMO. Not the best behavior otherwise. Sorry.

 

[mac26mac]

Yeah you know the drill then. At least the sales guy is making it work out, but I’m not surprised they didn’t think initially they could accommodate, even though you got a last minute opportunity to make it after reservations were full, so that’s actually cool they were able to figure something out.

I don't see why they should accomodate when all slots are filled up. It just means somone else who booked one does not get a drive.

My ask wasn't to bump someone. My ask was to guarantee that I'd get a chance to drive (even for a few minutes after the event concluded). It's a 1000 mile flight. I'm not gonna hop on a plane for some free coffee and doughnuts.

(And, yes, I am well-aware of the logistics of putting on an event like this...probably better than most since I used to work in that very industry).

 

[Bunnylebowski]

Here’s the thing that I’m having trouble with. What is the point of this thread? You did get what you were asking for, if not initially. I think the head of customer relations is pretty in tune with trying to accommodate unique owner situations… when possible, sometimes even when it didn’t initially seem possible. And that did happen. So what’s the problem again?

 

[Leftlane]

Nope. I am flying down there to drive the car. I'll find other stuff to fill my time, sure, but the main purpose of the trip is to drive the car. I'd like to buy my wife a new car. Initially, she didn't want to look at Lucid (she doesn't like my Air). But the range piques her interest. So we put down a deposit on a DE. I've been working with a sales person. I asked about drives. He said no. Then I got an email from Lucid a few days later about drives. My work schedule cleared up unexpectedly (after the event had sold out), so I have time this weekend to go down and take a look before we buy.

It's between the Gravity and any of the forthcoming PPE-platform VAG EVs for her.

It was silly to book a 1000 mile plane trip expressly for the purpose of test driving the car and not scheduling a drive like everyone else. If your schedule cleared up after the event was sold out, the answer is to not take the trip then and find another time somewhere else that would work, not try Enron in and then get offended that it might not work the way you want. Just because you bought an Air and flew a thousand miles - can’t imagine any Lucid employee that has been busting their arse on the Gravity rollout and has more work than they can handle really cares.

 

[mac26mac]

It was silly to book a 1000 mile plane trip expressly for the purpose of test driving the car and not scheduling a drive like everyone else. If your schedule cleared up after the event was sold out, the answer is to not take the trip then and find another time somewhere else that would work, not try Enron in and then get offended that it might not work the way you want. Just because you bought an Air and flew a thousand miles - can’t imagine any Lucid employee that has been busting their arse on the Gravity rollout and has more work than they can handle really cares.

Tickets are refundable. If I am the a**hole, I'll own it. But if Lucid created certain perks and promises of perks for DE owners as it relates to Gravity orders, then it's not unfair to have the expectation that one can ask.

 

[hydbob]

Tickets are refundable. If I am the a**hole, I'll own it. But if Lucid created certain perks and promises of perks for DE owners as it relates to Gravity orders, then it's not unfair to have the expectation that one can ask.

Where did they state there were perks for DE owners as it relates to Gravity test drives?

 

[Bus Driver]

Seems like if you were that insistent on getting a test drive you should have scheduled one via their reservation system when they opened up, rather than expecting a favor because you were an early adopter. But that's just me.

I can’t help but agree. And then to threaten to pitch a fit when you don’t get your way. Smacks of poor form, but that’s just me too.

I am happy though, that Lucid stayed true to their form, and did what they could, and accommodated. Now that’s keeping it classy.