Lucid gravity order begins Nov 7

[Batteryman]

Lucid over promised and under delivered with the Air. They had huge issues with supplies and on top of that, production and QC issues that bit them in the ass. The ramp up was by no means smooth and many soon to be owners vented their frustrations in here.

I don’t know if the Air has moved to the new production line in the factory or the Gravity is going to be the first rolling off the new line. If so, Lucid could just be taking a more cautious approach in its messaging. If they don’t have production woes and can ramp up quicker than anticipated then you may see the Touring come sooner.

TBH, I’d rather them say it’s coming in 12 months and if it comes sooner then great vs saying it’s coming in 3 months and everyone get pissed when it’s delayed and starts canceling orders.

I remember Peter saying they share the assembly line. I hope they hit it out of the park with the Gravity. Lucid calls i the best SUV in the world. I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

 

[Batteryman]

This is my best guess as to how this is going to happen. All options available to build from day 1, timing of delivery based on which options you select.

That is a complete guess though, based on absolutely no knowledge or data. Just my gut.


No, but they said it would be. That’s the point. Here, they are aiming more realistically.


Because if you delay the expensive model, people may downgrade and you lose out on revenue.

And it is better to ensure you produce one well (and work out the kinks) than to produce both mediocrely.


With the Air, people moved on because they hold on to the reservations for years, and they were completely refundable.

These will not be many-years-long reservations.

Hope you are right! Underpromise and overdeliver...

 

[Adnillien]

I remember Peter saying they share the assembly line. I hope they hit it out of the park with the Gravity. Lucid calls i the best SUV in the world. I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

The general assembly is flexible enough to handle either Air or Gravity. I do believe there is another general assembly line in the expanded factory in addition to the one currently running Air. I am not sure when Lucid will start using it; initial Gravity ramp or after production picks up. The Body in White is very automated and has to be a separate line.

 

[WeighingGravity]

I'm curious what people think the orders portal will look like. I thought they'd said it would be an actual orders scenario, not a reservations one, but the closer we get to it opening without more details, the more I wonder if it will tend towards the reservations side of the scale. (In my head, all the way on the orders side of the scale would be a firm and inflexible configuration locked in with a nonrefundable and meaningful deposit, while on the far end of the the reservations side would be more like a refundable $100 to firm your place in line for a GT. There are obviously lots of waypoints in the middle of this spectrum.)

[This next paragraph is sheer speculation to stir friendly conversation.] I would think that Lucid would want the orders portal to blow up with reservations so they would have a nice story to tell Wall St. I guess they can also keep that number private if it is underwhelming, but my guess is that a huge reservations uptake would be something they want and would want to tout. But the longer we go without knowing what colors are available and what options are available, which are normal things people would want some time to think over; and the longer we go without press reviews to help stoke demand and give people information about an expensive car that most will be ordering before seeing or sitting in one; the more I think this steers me to thinking this will tend to the reservations side of the scale, with more flexible configurations and more easily cancellable deposits.

I'm also curious to see how big the backlog of existing Air owners will be. (I am going to be on the configurator hoping to place an order on Thursday, depending on some of the variables above, but I am not an existing Air owner. I am overall sold on Lucid's tech and my only hesitations about the GT trim are around whether I should wait for an even more premium trim, AWS, performance, etc) I think about 15-20K Airs have been shipped in total? Even on this forum of Lucid enthusiasts, in the threads I've perused, I think I see more current owners saying they *won't* be in line for a GT than those who say they will. I'd think even a 10% Gravity GT adoption ratio from existing Lucid owners (1500-2000 units) would be very, very, very high. I'm curious what others think, for obviously selfish reasons.

 

[Batteryman]

I'm curious what people think the orders portal will look like. I thought they'd said it would be an actual orders scenario, not a reservations one, but the closer we get to it opening without more details, the more I wonder if it will tend towards the reservations side of the scale. (In my head, all the way on the orders side of the scale would be a firm and inflexible configuration locked in with a nonrefundable and meaningful deposit, while on the far end of the the reservations side would be more like a refundable $100 to firm your place in line for a GT. There are obviously lots of waypoints in the middle of this spectrum.)

[This next paragraph is sheer speculation to stir friendly conversation.] I would think that Lucid would want the orders portal to blow up with reservations so they would have a nice story to tell Wall St. I guess they can also keep that number private if it is underwhelming, but my guess is that a huge reservations uptake would be something they want and would want to tout. But the longer we go without knowing what colors are available and what options are available, which are normal things people would want some time to think over; and the longer we go without press reviews to help stoke demand and give people information about an expensive car that most will be ordering before seeing or sitting in one; the more I think this steers me to thinking this will tend to the reservations side of the scale, with more flexible configurations and more easily cancellable deposits.

I'm also curious to see how big the backlog of existing Air owners will be. (I am going to be on the configurator hoping to place an order on Thursday, depending on some of the variables above, but I am not an existing Air owner. I am overall sold on Lucid's tech and my only hesitations about the GT trim are around whether I should wait for an even more premium trim, AWS, performance, etc) I think about 15-20K Airs have been shipped in total? Even on this forum of Lucid enthusiasts, in the threads I've perused, I think I see more current owners saying they *won't* be in line for a GT than those who say they will. I'd think even a 10% Gravity GT adoption ratio from existing Lucid owners (1500-2000 units) would be very, very, very high. I'm curious what others think, for obviously selfish reasons.

No one here knows, we are all eagelry waiting for Nov 7th. But I'm pretty sure there will be performance version to take on the the Ferarri Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus, Aston DBX etc. It won't take much investment at this point since the Sapgire tech will just be modified a bit.

 

[LucidfanAZ]

My prediction is Lucid will lift their media embargo the morning of Nov. 7th, news outlets will release their review articles/test drive impressions at 6am ET then by 9am all of us will have read plenty of articles to inform our decision to place an order.

 

[buddyroe9]

I find it strange that they will not deliver a less expensive version until late next year. Most people who want a less expensive Gravity are not going to trade up. Realistically the first 5,000 Gravity deliveries will be well over $100,000. That market is relatively small when u look at competitors. Curious what others think???

I just joined and haven't read the entire thread yet, so maybe someone else already posted what I am about to say, but...

The Model X starts at $80k. Add a 3rd row and you're in mid 80s. Want a color other than black seats and maybe bigger wheels, you're into the 90s. With that said, the Model X was the 6th best selling EV in the US the first 9 months of 2024. So, there is plenty of market out there for a $90k premium SUV. Add in that the Model X gets about 90 miles less than the anticipated range of the gravity, and it will be very appealing to the premium SUV buyer who wants or is willing to consider an electric SUV.

Given those considerations, Lucid will only be able to build a small number of Gravities next year. I'm quite sure the demand will far exceed the production capacity - so it's in Lucid's best interest to build the model that is the most profitable first.

 

[Neurio]

There is no way Model X is 6th best selling EV. I need proof of that.

 

[DreamTour]

I didn’t care to get gt on my air because it’s not a road tripper car.

On the other hand 440 mi range for gt would be important for me given that’s ideal range. Assuming touring will be 20% or so less range.

But we shall see

 

[hmp10]

There is no way Model X is 6th best selling EV. I need proof of that.

As Tesla doesn't break out their sales numbers between the Models S and X, I don't know the source, but "Clean Technica" reported that Tesla sold 3,338 Model X's in Q3 2024 (down 29% from 4,699 in the same quarter last year).

What I found more interesting is that Q3 Model S sales were only 1,669 (down 47% from 3,132 in the same quarter last year) . . . meaning that the Lucid Air is currently outselling not only the MB EQS and the Porsche Taycan, but also the Model S.

I know that large EV sedans is a market niche within a niche, but it's a niche that Lucid now dominates. If Lucid can get the same dominance in the somewhat larger niche of 7-passenger EV SUV's, then maybe things aren't as bleak as the current stock price?

Why Have Tesla Model S & Model X Sales Crashed? - CleanTechnica

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News! Going through Kelley Blue Book’s latest data on US EV sales, one thing that jumped out to be was how much Tesla Model S and Model X sales crashed year over year. There are ... [continued]

cleantechnica.com

 

[BerkeleyLeaser]

So, funny thing. I was planning to exit stage right when my lease (AT) is up in April. But a $95K GT trim Gravity is very tempting

Maybe they do have a cunning plan, as Baldrick might say.

 

[HC_79]

So, funny thing. I was planning to exit stage right when my lease (AT) is up in April. But a $95K GT trim Gravity is very tempting

Maybe they do have a cunning plan, as Baldrick might say.

“Starting at” $95K

 

[borski]

I would think that Lucid would want the orders portal to blow up with reservations so they would have a nice story to tell Wall St. I guess they can also keep that number private if it is underwhelming, but my guess is that a huge reservations uptake would be something they want and would want to tout. But the longer we go without knowing what colors are available and what options are available, which are normal things people would want some time to think over; and the longer we go without press reviews to help stoke demand and give people information about an expensive car that most will be ordering before seeing or sitting in one; the more I think this steers me to thinking this will tend to the reservations side of the scale, with more flexible configurations and more easily cancellable deposits.

They tried the 'blow up with reservations' thing with the Air, and it backfired; because they didn't know how to map "reservations" to "orders," their numbers for production and delivery were way out-of-whack, and Wall St smacked them for it. My guess is this time they definitely won't be doing that, and there will likely be a more sizable deposit, likely non-refundable (after some point, perhaps, like confirming the order with a sales advisor or something), but I have no idea, I am only speculating.

 

[hmp10]

They tried the 'blow up with reservations' thing with the Air, and it backfired; because they didn't know how to map "reservations" to "orders," their numbers for production and delivery were way out-of-whack, and Wall St smacked them for it. My guess is this time they definitely won't be doing that, and there will likely be a more sizable deposit, likely non-refundable (after some point, perhaps, like confirming the order with a sales advisor or something), but I have no idea, I am only speculating.

While I agree generally with this, the phrase that gives me worry is, "there will likely be a more sizable deposit, likely non-refundable . . . ."

I think you're probably right, but that's exactly why I'm worried that the press embargo (if there is one) is not being lifted ahead of orders opening so that potential buyers have some independent perspectives on a car that most cannot see, sit in, or test drive before ordering -- at least at this point and perhaps for a while yet. Of course, this assumes the press reviews will skew strongly to the positive side, but I have every confidence they will.

You and I put down $25,000 deposits for our Air Dream Editions pretty much sight unseen, but we're not typical buyers, and it took a long time for the 520 reservation slots to sell. The Gravity is going to be a great vehicle that will take the EV SUV segment up a hefty notch. But it's not going to break new ground on as many fronts as the Air did: power, handling, range, aerodynamics, style. That's come almost to be taken for granted among Lucid shoppers. Once you move outside the buyer pool of existing Lucid converts, I think there will be more skepticism about plopping down a deposit with little more to go on than what Lucid itself says about the product.

 

[hmp10]

You know, I just tried to delete the above post but the delete feature timed-out.

Maybe Lucid won't lift the embargo simply because the press test drive reports would reveal specs and features that Lucid doesn't want to reveal ahead of opening orders.

Of course, that begs the question of why not? I love -- and I mean absolutely love -- the Lucid product. But I never have gotten their marketing strategies, beyond the apparent conflation of customer marketing with investor relations.

 

[steveairgt]

There is no way Model X is 6th best selling EV. I need proof of that.

Here is an article on the top selling EVs in 2023. Model X is number 9 in the US.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g46351238/bestselling-ev-2023/

 

[HC_79]

Of course, that begs the question of why not? I love -- and I mean absolutely love -- the Lucid product. But I never have gotten their marketing strategies, beyond the apparent conflation of customer marketing with investor relations.

You have to admit it’s certainly better today than what it was 12 months or so ago. The launch of this car is a big deal for Lucid maybe they’re just wanting to knock it out the park and are being a little protective / cautious at first. We all know the bumpy ride the Air had so I don’t blame them for the approach they’re taking.

 

[borski]

While I agree generally with this, the phrase that gives me worry is, "there will likely be a more sizable deposit, likely non-refundable . . . ."

I think you're probably right, but that's exactly why I'm worried that the press embargo (if there is one) is not being lifted ahead of orders opening so that potential buyers have some independent perspectives on a car that most cannot see, sit in, or test drive before ordering -- at least at this point and perhaps for a while yet. Of course, this assumes the press reviews will skew strongly to the positive side, but I have every confidence they will.

You and I put down $25,000 deposits for our Air Dream Editions pretty much sight unseen, but we're not typical buyers, and it took a long time for the 520 reservation slots to sell. The Gravity is going to be a great vehicle that will take the EV SUV segment up a hefty notch. But it's not going to break new ground on as many fronts as the Air did: power, handling, range, aerodynamics, style. That's come almost to be taken for granted among Lucid shoppers. Once you move outside the buyer pool of existing Lucid converts, I think there will be more skepticism about plopping down a deposit with little more to go on than what Lucid itself says about the product.

As I said: “after some point, perhaps, like confirming the order with a sales advisor or something”

I put down $1000 for my Lucid deposit for my GT reservation, before I got a call to upgrade it to a DE a month later. Upgrading it to a DE made the $1k non-refundable, but that was it.

I’m not sure I would’ve put down $25k, if I’m being honest. I might have *now*, because Lucid has consistently delivered, but I almost certainly would’ve have then; I had no way to tell Lucid from Fisker at that point until I learned more.

I know it seems like I’ve been all over Atieva and Lucid since inception, but I only stumbled across the Lucid Air in September 2021 when walking around the Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara. I ordered a GT 9/6/21.

I upgraded to a DE-P 10/6/21, exactly one month later, after bothering them about it once or twice a week (“the waitlist is full” did not mean “they have all been bought” so I figured I’d try being the squeaky wheel).

My DE was delivered to me 1/19/22.

My wait is not the “typical” story you hear about the early DEs and GTs, and I recognize how lucky I was for only waiting 3-4 months for my DE.

I did not mean $25k when I said sizable. A $1k non-refundable deposit is enough to rely on.

 

[hmp10]

I know it seems like I’ve been all over Atieva and Lucid since inception, but I only stumbled across the Lucid Air in September 2021 when walking around the Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara. I ordered a GT 9/6/21.

Given the depth of your knowledge about the car and the company, I assumed you had been one of the earlier Lucid followers.

I've posted before that my brother is more immersed in following the doings across the EV industry than I. Sometime in 2016 he told me there was a company developing a thousand-horsepower EV sedan. I was a bit incredulous and then outright laughed when he told me it was going to be called "Lucid". (Now that I think about it, this might have been my first head scratch at Lucid marketing decisions.) At any rate, I began to search for stories about the car, and when I found out the Chief Engineer of the Model S was at the development helm and that Atieva was in Formula E racing, I got intrigued.

Then, when the first prototype was revealed later in 2016, I was blown away by the car's looks, room, and performance claims (at the time they were saying over 400 miles of range with a 130-kWh battery pack). From then on, I watched and read everything I could find about the company and the car, wondering if they could really get such an ambitious project off the ground.

In 2018 the Saudi PIF agreed to fund the factory and the start of production, and I got in line for a reservation soon after they opened in 2019. I, too, initially reserved a car with a $1,000 deposit, but as I continued to watch reports of the car's development I decided to go all in on a Dream Edition and had to pony up an additional $24,000 for my deposit (at a time when the Dream allotment was somewhat lower than the eventual 520 cars).

In early 2021 I was telling my financial advisor about Lucid and my plans to get one, and I found out he, too, had a reservation for one. I talked him into seeing if he could upgrade to a Dream Edition, warning him they were probably long since sold out. He got one with a single phone call, which was my first indication Lucid might not be hitting the reservation target for at least the Dream. To my annoyed amusement, he got delivery before I did, as I switched my order to Zenith Red when it was announced shortly before deliveries, which bumped me down in the queue.

So, I'm eight years into my love affair with Lucid, which might be the reason I fret so much over everything which I worry could be a misstep.

 

[borski]

Given the depth of your knowledge about the car and the company, I assumed you had been one of the earlier Lucid followers.

I've posted before that my brother is more immersed in following the doings across the EV industry than I. Sometime in 2016 he told me there was a company developing a thousand-horsepower EV sedan. I was a bit incredulous and then outright laughed when he told me it was going to be called "Lucid". (Now that I think about it, this might have been my first head scratch at Lucid marketing decisions.) At any rate, I began to search for stories about the car, and when I found out the Chief Engineer of the Model S was at the development helm and that Atieva was in Formula E racing, I got intrigued.

Then, when the first prototype was revealed later in 2016, I was blown away by the car's looks, room, and performance claims (at the time they were saying over 400 miles of range with a 130-kWh battery pack). From then on, I watched and read everything I could find about the company and the car, wondering if they could really get such an ambitious project off the ground.

In 2018 the Saudi PIF agreed to fund the factory and the start of production, and I got in line for a reservation soon after they opened in 2019. I, too, initially reserved a car with a $1,000 deposit, but as I continued to watch reports of the car's development I decided to go all in on a Dream Edition and had to pony up an additional $24,000 for my deposit (at a time when the Dream allotment was somewhat lower than the eventual 520 cars).

In early 2021 I was telling my financial advisor about Lucid and my plans to get one, and I found out he, too, had a reservation for one. I talked him into seeing if he could upgrade to a Dream Edition, warning him they were probably long since sold out. He got one with a single phone call, which was my first indication Lucid might not be hitting the reservation target for at least the Dream. To my annoyed amusement, he got delivery before I did, as I switched my order to Zenith Red when it was announced shortly before deliveries, which bumped me down in the queue.

So, I'm eight years into my love affair with Lucid, which might be the reason I fret so much over everything which I worry could be a misstep.

Heh, I also made the change to ZR, but I was only offered a DE after ZR was already an option. The GT I’d reserved was a ZR.