Test drive before 2H25.....maybe?

[NoseyReporter]

Adrian Price will be SVP of operations replacing Steve David. Per Lucid, Adrian has extensive global manufacturing and supply chain experience from Ford, his expertise in lean manufacturing and quality control will be key to scaling production AMP-1. Steve was put in to fix the Air production woes and now it seems he's been booted and replaced by Adrian to sort out production. Again, it's great that Lucid can engineer these world class vehicles but they seem to have completely ignored the fact on how they were going to get them produced and delivered in a timely manner.

The sales machine has to get going, they've had enough time. At some point you need to give up chasing perfection and just start selling. Tesla is literally the complete opposite. Musk sells the shit out of nothing, takes peoples money, and takes years to deliver. He's a bonafide snake oil sales man. I'm not saying Lucid needs to "Musk it", but on the spectrum between perfection and winging it, they need to move the needle towards winging it a little more. It feels like they are constantly trying to solve problems that don't exist or trying to nip things in the bud way too far in advance.

 

[Leftlane]

Must work great for engineering and design staff for new products.

I guess you can design and engineer new cool stuff all day long and pray that the money never runs out when you don’t sell anything. Maybe having the PIF backing is a blessing and a curse - imagine if Lucid absolutely had to sell cars at volume now or they go belly up with no money backstop - I bet they would figure out a better way to shorten the sales cycle dramatically.

 

[msaunders9430]

I'm not saying Lucid needs to "Musk it", but on the spectrum between perfection and winging it, they need to move the needle towards winging it a little more. It feels like they are constantly trying to solve problems that don't exist or trying to nip things in the bud way too far in advance.

"Winging it a bit more" may have been the issue between Peter and the Lucid board members. Just speculation on my part, but I can see that happening given the experience Lucid had with software issues during the initial release of the Air in late '21 to early '22. Perhaps there has been an over-correction in the attempt to solve problems "before" they exist and nip things in the bud far in advance when you know the success of Gravity will play a pivotal role in the success of the company.

I can understand that stance despite my impatience as I wait for a Gravity.

I think the consensus on this forum is not so much the delayed release, but the lack of communication. If there had been more frequent communication of production status, I believe the attitude of future Gravity owners here would be different.

In some ways larger than the obvious question of current production and delivery statuses, is why the lack of communication regarding production since Nov. 7.
Perhaps one day, we'll get that answer.

The winging it needle may have moved with the leadership change.
Quality vs. quantity. Always a delicate balance.

 

[HC_79]

"Winging it a bit more" may have been the issue between Peter and the Lucid board members. Just speculation on my part, but I can see that happening given the experience Lucid had with software issues during the initial release of the Air in late '21 to early '22. Perhaps there has been an over-correction in the attempt to solve problems "before" they exist and nip things in the bud far in advance when you know the success of Gravity will play a pivotal role in the success of the company.

I can understand that stance despite my impatience as I wait for a Gravity.

I think the consensus on this forum is not so much the delayed release, but the lack of communication. If there had been more frequent communication of production status, I believe the attitude of future Gravity owners here would be different.

In some ways larger than the obvious question of current production and delivery statuses, is why the lack of communication regarding production since Nov. 7.
Perhaps one day, we'll get that answer.

The winging it needle may have moved with the leadership change.
Quality vs. quantity. Always a delicate balance.

Agree, It's gone from one extreme to the other. Air had some challenges in its ramp up that probably generated a number of service center \ mobile visits that Lucid is probably trying to avoid repeating given how inundated the Service Centers seem to be at the moment. Now it seems that they've gone to the other extreme and want these cars perfect before they even show up in a showroom let alone someone's driveway.

I don't believe anyone thinks or should expect they're going to be getting a perfect car. It's a known fact and not just Lucid specific that if you want a perfect car you don't take the first ones off the production line (even wait up to a year). At some point in time though, Lucid is going to need to just bite the bullet and get these cars delivered if quality is indeed the issue.

 

[hmp10]

These Dream Editions present me with a conundrum. If you've driven one, they can really leave you reluctant to accept any less power in other Lucid versions even though those other versions are far from underpowered. And getting an Air Dream meant taking a very early production car, as they were all sold out before anything else was built. So, if you wanted a Dream, you had no choice but to accept the issues that come with early-production cars (issues I've had with Mercedes, Hondas, Jaguars, and other brands, leading me to conclude they're inevitable with any brand).

I look at the improvements in the Air since my Air Dream Performance was built over three years ago now: faster UI processor, heat pump, reduced motor noise, reportedly better build quality. I sometimes wonder if it might be worth considering a new GT to replace it. But, having driven GTs as loaners, I just can't let go of the extra oomph. (There's the Sapphire, of course, but I want to stay with a glass canopy, don't like the dark interior, and just can't get my head around its track vibe.)

Almost all the early build issues with our Air have been resolved, it's holding up beautifully cosmetically and mechanically, and the Santa Monica interior remains my all-time favorite. So we're sticking with it as our preferred sedan for a while yet.

Now, with my order locked in for a Gravity Dream Edition (it's once again about that extra power), I'm actually hoping they won't be the first off the production line. (I still don't buy the notion that those nine December deliveries were part of the regular production run.) Now that I know a Dream is going to make it to my garage at some point, I don't worry about orders closing down before I snag one. That risk now avoided, I would much rather wait a bit and let some GT customers, instead of me this time, deal with the inevitable early-production issues.

Or . . . if the Gravity Dreams really are at the head of the production queue, I'm all for giving Lucid the time to get as many of the production bugs quashed as they can before they start deliveries. (This is a different issue from Lucid's delay in releasing the Touring specs which some buyers need in order to decide whether to wait for a Touring, or move up to a GT, or move on to another brand.)

 

[msaunders9430]

Agree, It's gone from one extreme to the other. Air had some challenges in its ramp up that probably generated a number of service center \ mobile visits that Lucid is probably trying to avoid repeating given how inundated the Service Centers seem to be at the moment. Now it seems that they've gone to the other extreme and want these cars perfect before they even show up in a showroom let alone someone's driveway.

I don't believe anyone thinks or should expect they're going to be getting a perfect car. It's a known fact and not just Lucid specific that if you want a perfect car you don't take the first ones off the production line (even wait up to a year). At some point in time though, Lucid is going to need to just bite the bullet and get these cars delivered if quality is indeed the issue.

That bullet may be bitten fairly soon.
And depending on what imperfections exist, buyers will have to accept them.

There's no pleasing everyone.
The complaints will come; major and minor, which is relative.

It's a catch-22 for carmakers and part of the process for potential buyers interested in cars still in pre-production. Those that can wait, can choose to do so or move on.

 

[marsarbu]

Speculating on the Gravity lease. If the total for an AGT is the same for a GGT, I'm wondering if the lease will be comparable. For example, if an $120k AGT has a lease rate of $1.7k / month, will an $120k GGT have the same lease payment? Common sense says that SUVs depreciate less, so maybe it will be a bit cheaper than an equivalent priced Air?

 

[msaunders9430]

These Dream Editions present me with a conundrum. If you've driven one, they can really leave you reluctant to accept any less power in other Lucid versions even though those other versions are far from underpowered. And getting an Air Dream meant taking a very early production car, as they were all sold out before anything else was built. So, if you wanted a Dream, you had no choice but to accept the issues that come with early-production cars (issues I've had with Mercedes, Hondas, Jaguars, and other brands, leading me to conclude they're inevitable with any brand).

I look at the improvements in the Air since my Air Dream Performance was built over three years ago now: faster UI processor, heat pump, reduced motor noise, reportedly better build quality. I sometimes wonder if it might be worth considering a new GT to replace it. But, having driven GTs as loaners, I just can't let go of the extra oomph. (There's the Sapphire, of course, but I want to stay with a glass canopy, don't like the dark interior, and just can't get my head around its track vibe.)

Almost all the early build issues with our Air have been resolved, it's holding up beautifully cosmetically and mechanically, and the Santa Monica interior remains my all-time favorite. So we're sticking with it as our preferred sedan for a while yet.

Now, with my order locked in for a Gravity Dream Edition (it's once again about that extra power), I'm actually hoping they won't be the first off the production line. (I still don't buy the notion that those nine December deliveries were part of the regular production run.) Now that I know a Dream is going to make it to my garage at some point, I don't worry about orders closing down before I snag one. That risk now avoided, I would much rather wait a bit and let some GT customers, instead of me this time, deal with the inevitable early-production issues.

Or . . . if the Gravity Dreams really are at the head of the production queue, I'm all for giving Lucid the time to get as many of the production bugs quashed as they can before they start deliveries. (This is a different issue from Lucid's delay in releasing the Touring specs which some buyers need in order to decide whether to wait for a Touring, or move up to a GT, or move on to another brand.)

Going with the commonly held belief on this forum that the higher priced models usually are purchased by a buyer who is more tolerant of bugs, sounds like your tolerance is rewarded with oomph.

Depending on the time between Dream and GT deliveries, you may not be squashing that many more bugs.

 

[msaunders9430]

@AirDoll A multiple choice question for you:
Has your friend who has a Gravity given you anymore feedback on their ownership experience?

A - Yes, details (like software operation) provided
B - Yes, but not permitted to share
C - No

 

[AirDoll]

@AirDoll A multiple choice question for you:
Has your friend who has a Gravity given you anymore feedback on their ownership experience?

A - Yes, details (like software operation) provided
B - Yes, but not permitted to share
C - No

D-Everything has been great and they are absolutely LOVING it!!!! Software very stable, and drives and handles like no SUV should

 

[msaunders9430]

D-Everything has been great and they are absolutely LOVING it!!!! Software very stable, and drives and handles like no SUV should

Thank you for the response and for not pleading your 5th amendment rights.

 

[DrZorro]

D-Everything has been great and they are absolutely LOVING it!!!! Software very stable, and drives and handles like no SUV should

Thank you for these encouraging words! It ended up being enough for me to finally pull the trigger and place my order tonight. My biggest fear has been the software...hopefully it will be pretty good out of the gate and even better over time!

 

[msaunders9430]

OoS Reviews released a new video review today of the Ioniq 9.
Several times during the video, Kyle references the Gravity.
Near the beginning he talks about the Ioniq's load height compared to the Lucid Gravity that he "recently tested".

Without knowing the actual date on which he recorded the review, it's hard to determine the time frame of "recently".
He was in China last month (I think) testing Chinese EVs and it's possible he jumped over to Korea while in the region.

From his comments in this video and a few others during which he mentions Gravity software, he sounds pretty pleased.

Somewhat off-topic, for those who are time constrained and Gravity is outside your purchase window, consider the Ioniq 9.
Perhaps it will be in the US market within your purchase window.

FYI, typical OoS review; 50 minutes:

 

[gladtbx]

OoS Reviews released a new video review today of the Ioniq 9.
Several times during the video, Kyle references the Gravity.
Near the beginning he talks about the Ioniq's load height compared to the Lucid Gravity that he "recently tested".

Without knowing the actual date on which he recorded the review, it's hard to determine the time frame of "recently".
He was in China last month (I think) testing Chinese EVs and it's possible he jumped over to Korea while in the region.

From his comments in this video and a few others during which he mentions Gravity software, he sounds pretty pleased.

Somewhat off-topic, for those who are time constrained and Gravity is outside your purchase window, consider the Ioniq 9.
Perhaps it will be in the US market within your purchase window.

FYI, typical OoS review; 50 minutes:

He didn't go to Korea from the China trip. If you followed his X account he went to China then UAE and back to the States. So the Ioniq video must be more recently filmed.

 

[msaunders9430]

He didn't go to Korea from the China trip. If you followed his X account he went to China then UAE and back to the States. So the Ioniq video must be more recently filmed.

Good to know.
I follow him on Threads, but lost track of him in China.

Weird that Lucid, seemingly doesn't want his review(s) of Gravity released yet. Maybe he nick picked about something minor and Lucid said, "we can fix that" and he'll do a follow-up one.

Who knows.

 

[HC_79]

Good to know.
I follow him on Threads, but lost track of him in China.

Weird that Lucid, seemingly doesn't want his review(s) of Gravity released yet. Maybe he nick picked about something minor and Lucid said, "we can fix that" and he'll do a follow-up one.

Who knows.

I wouldn't read too much into it. I don't think Lucid has given anyone access to a production Gravity. All the videos, including Kyle's have been on the pre-production units and they all kind of dropped around the time Lucid actually started Gravity production. Been crickets ever since.

 

[illopp00]

I got a call today from my SA asking if I want to switch to dream edition and said I have two more days. I was told they were asked to call folks like me who hasn’t made the switch. Unfortunately, he didn’t have answers to any questions including if there will be leases offered or when test drives be available, etc.

Can they explain what else is included with a Dream Edition?

 

[HC_79]

Can they explain what else is included with a Dream Edition?

It's basically a fully loaded GT, with 1070 horsepower and some fancy badging \ materials.

 

[msaunders9430]

I wouldn't read too much into it. I don't think Lucid has given anyone access to a production Gravity. All the videos, including Kyle's have been on the pre-production units and they all kind of dropped around the time Lucid actually started Gravity production. Been crickets ever since.

Could be, but his initial video review on the pre-production Gravity was 2 months ago. Not my definition of recent, but perhaps his. And yet in his initial Gravity review he said he knew nothing about the software, but since then he has referenced it on other videos as being good. Leads me to believe it's referencing a production model. And those 100 Gravities (50 ea in Jan. & Feb) delivered have to be somewhere. Of course that's if those delivery reports are correct.

Who knows.
Grasping for something like everyone else.

 

[illopp00]

It's basically a fully loaded GT, with 1070 horsepower and some fancy badging \ materials.

@HC_79 thanks, is it also a special color like the Air Dream?