The Long Goodbye

[hmp10]

From the moment I was told about Lucid in 2016 I became intrigued. The Air prototype broke so many automotive molds at once, and the credentials of the engineering team were so impressive, that I began following everything I could find about the company. When reservations opened, I was near the head of the line for a Dream Edition. When the first pre-production Air hit the new Lucid showroom in Miami I was there for opening day, and seeing and sitting in that display car simply blew me away.

As soon as the Lucid stock moved out of the SPAC phase, I invested enthusiastically and continued to do so for some time – not because I didn’t know it was risky but because I wanted to support Lucid’s stated mission and the technology behind it.

In the decade since the first prototype was revealed I have followed the company assiduously and supported it by buying its products . . . a total of five Lucids, three of which are currently sitting in our garage: an Air Dream Edition Performance and two Gravity Dream Editions.

So where is my head today about this company?

Well, I have written off my stock investment. I’m not angry about that, as I’m a big boy and understood the risk.

And I have reveled in the fun and comfort of driving Lucids on those days when they are mostly functioning as intended.

But the Gravities have finally broken me. They have the power, handling, style, room, comfort, and structural solidity that is – or should be – the hallmark of the brand. But they also have the more regrettable hallmark of woefully troublesome software.

The software improvements that eventually came to the Air and brought it up to acceptable standards of everyday reliability have sadly eluded the Gravity, and they don’t appear to be anywhere on the horizon.

We’re going to keep the three Lucids we have for a while yet, mostly because I have put close to $20,000 into each car for radar detection systems and PPF protection. And I will keep posting of our experiences with driving and servicing them as they unfold.

Beyond that, though, the exhaustion of dealing with unrelenting Gravity software glitches – even reaching to opening up the cars and starting a drive – has finally worn me down.

We will not be buying another Lucid product in our household as the Gravities have proved to be too erratic and unreliable for everyday transportation needs, and I'm not one for collecting Garage Queens.

It may soon be a moot point. If Lucid rolls out the Cosmos to the mass market with anything like the software problems of the Gravity, the company won’t be around to sell anything, anyway.

 

[Unmutual]

You've been more than patient, and I don't know how you've managed to hang on as long as you have. If I were Lucid I'd be doing everything in my power to get things sorted out for you. Be sure to let us know what you end up replacing the Lucids with.

 

[socktucker]

 

[prgarg]

It's going to be tough for Lucid to be in a better place to address the software, financial performance, customer & vehicle service issues if they don't achieve meaningful growth. But at the same time growth is going to remain elusive if they don't have brand awareness and better reputation...

 

[hmp10]

. . . growth is going to remain elusive if they don't have brand awareness and better reputation . . . .

True, but more awareness without reliable user software will be deadly. Right now, too many people know Lucid for making the cars that won't open.

 

[Halodde]

My experience in both ownership and financial involvement is only a fraction of yours @hmp10 . But I came to about the same realization several months ago. Sold my stock at a massive loss and resigned my interest in the gravity as a replacement for my air. It's sad/unfortunate when we want the company to succeed so desperately and we reach the tipping point when we throw in the towel.

 

[BS8899]

From the moment I was told about Lucid in 2016 I became intrigued. The Air prototype broke so many automotive molds at once, and the credentials of the engineering team were so impressive, that I began following everything I could find about the company. When reservations opened, I was near the head of the line for a Dream Edition. When the first pre-production Air hit the new Lucid showroom in Miami I was there for opening day, and seeing and sitting in that display car simply blew me away.

As soon as the Lucid stock moved out of the SPAC phase, I invested enthusiastically and continued to do so for some time – not because I didn’t know it was risky but because I wanted to support Lucid’s stated mission and the technology behind it.

In the decade since the first prototype was revealed I have followed the company assiduously and supported it by buying its products . . . a total of five Lucids, three of which are currently sitting in our garage: an Air Dream Edition Performance and two Gravity Dream Editions.

So where is my head today about this company?

Well, I have written off my stock investment. I’m not angry about that, as I’m a big boy and understood the risk.

And I have reveled in the fun and comfort of driving Lucids on those days when they are mostly functioning as intended.

But the Gravities have finally broken me. They have the power, handling, style, room, comfort, and structural solidity that is – or should be – the hallmark of the brand. But they also have the more regrettable hallmark of woefully troublesome software.

The software improvements that eventually came to the Air and brought it up to acceptable standards of everyday reliability have sadly eluded the Gravity, and they don’t appear to be anywhere on the horizon.

We’re going to keep the three Lucids we have for a while yet, mostly because I have put close to $20,000 into each car for radar detection systems and PPF protection. And I will keep posting of our experiences with driving and servicing them as they unfold.

Beyond that, though, the exhaustion of dealing with unrelenting Gravity software glitches – even reaching to opening up the cars and starting a drive – has finally worn me down.

We will not be buying another Lucid product in our household as the Gravities have proved to be too erratic and unreliable for everyday transportation needs, and I'm not one for collecting Garage Queens.

It may soon be a moot point. If Lucid rolls out the Cosmos to the mass market with anything like the software problems of the Gravity, the company won’t be around to sell anything, anyway.

Your post is a poignant commentary, considering you are the founding member of this forum and have been a strong advocate for Lucid for the past 4-5 years on this forum (or was it almost 10 years?).

I was mesmerized by Lucid's vision when I stumbled upon Lucid in early 2021 in their Beverley Hills Studio. There was no vehicle on display at that time; only some bits and pieces of drive train hardware and a mockup of the seats/dash were on display. I, too, felt Lucid would go places and revolutionize EVs.

Like you, I invested in Lucid early. I sold my LCID holding before the reverse split.

After acquiring my 2022 AGT in Oct 2022, the ensuing 9-10 months of frustrating ownership dampened my enthusiasm. Yes, the Air has made progress on its SW over the years, but the improvements were slow, and often, bug fixes introduce other bugs. It has gotten better, but when it comes to "being problem-free", it is still inferior to its competitors. In late 2023, I decided not to wait for the Gravity and acquired an R1S instead. My R1S has performed flawlessly!

On paper, Gravity is a great EV SUV. And you own 3 of them! I follow the saga of your early ownership. I don't blame you for your disappointment.

 

[L-Dude]

I feel for you--super frustrating for sure. I don't think I would have been as patient or measured.

 

[DBV]

That is really too bad. I always really respect everything you have always posted on this forum and it always resonates with me. If I were Lucid, I would consider you a brand ambassador. I can’t imagine anyone has purchased as many Lucid’s as you have and to read about your constant software issues, along with others is really heartbreaking. I can’t imagine how disappointed you are after spending so much money and really liking the potential of what Lucid could do, but then have it hampered with constant software or key issues.

Lucid is in real trouble if people like you continue to state what you have been saying and they can’t react fast enough. Just reading posts from you make me question if I or people like me on the fence will ever purchase a Lucid in this current state. Very sad as really want Lucid to succeed, but Lucid better take notice or they will be done.

 

[socktucker]

True, but more awareness without reliable user software will be deadly. Right now, too many people know Lucid for making the cars that won't open.

and service issues. Case in point, my Air just came off the truck from Rocklin. The roof bow already popped off on one side (documented by driver so he’s not accused of damage), and they forgot to fix one of the trim pieces. These all could have been caught with effective QA procedures. These saddest part is they did a great job on the rest of the car, but the only solution is to yet again ship the car back to California. It’s crazy. I actually feel bad for them it has to be incredibly frustrating for them too. I want them to make it but right now it’s two steps forward one step back.

 

[prgarg]

and service issues. Case in point, my Air just came off the truck from Rocklin. The roof bow already popped off on one side (documented by driver so he’s not accused of damage), and they forgot to fix one of the trim pieces. These all could have been caught with effective QA procedures. These saddest part is they did a great job on the rest of the car, but the only solution is to yet again ship the car back to California. It’s crazy. I actually feel bad for them it has to be incredibly frustrating for them too. I want them to make it but right now it’s two steps forward one step back.

Can't scale up if they are not even able to service de 30k+ vehicles they have produced so far

 

[BS8899]

Can't scale up if they are not even able to service de 30k+ vehicles they have produced so far

Sad, but true. And servicing the mid-size will be even more challenging. The higher volume, and unlike those early Lucid adopters who own multiple high-end cars, many of the approximately $50k mid-size Lucid owners are dependent on their cars for transportation every single day. If service is not fixed AND EXPANDED, it will bring Lucid to its knees!

 

[BS8899]

hmp10 said:
True, but more awareness without reliable user software will be deadly. Right now, too many people know Lucid for making the cars that won't open.

*************************

Your point above is my #1 issue with Lucid's SW and its feeble response!

As you know, there are about multiple ways to get entry to your Lucid (FOB, phone, valet card, break-the-window, etc.). None of them is reliable.

Unlike other Lucid advocates on this forum who rationalize the entry problem as an "inconvenience", I consider the unreliable entry on my AGT a safety problem.

30 days into my ownership in 2022, I took my visiting family on a trip from Phoenix to Sedona. On the return trip, we stopped at Anthem AZ, a small town in a remote area 35 miles from Phoenix. We stopped to go to the bathroom. We couldn't get back into the car. After an hour of trying, I had to call Lucid to remotely unlock my car so we could get home.

To me, Lucid's entry problem with its cars is not a simple "inconvenience". It is a safety problem. I won't let my son and daughter take my Lucid Air out on their own and get stuck in the middle of the night, and have no way to get home.

Every day, when I go to my garage, my Rivian and my Lucid Air are right next to each other. The Rivian unlocks automatically and gracefully. The Lucid is a crap-shoot!

If Lucid wants to succeed, it must take these "mundane" issues seriously. As far as I am concerned, Lucid never really fixed the entry problems on the Air. I can't speak to the Gravity as I don't have first-hand experience.

 

[mfdutra]

I can't speak to the Gravity as I don't have first-hand experience.

It's just as terrible. I wouldn't be surprised if the new model comes just as bad as well.

You can buy a $20k Hyundai Venue (cheapest car in the US) and the doors will work just fine.

 

[Leftlane]

What a catch-22 they are in - they absolutely need to get the midsize out to get volume and revenue, but launching the midsize could make everything worse if it isn’t 100% fully baked. You’ll know if the new CEO is a long term thinker with a long leash from the PIF or is going to try to make a short term splash with the Cosmos, based on what they decide to do. I think they should wait until the Air and Gravity are fully operational and all these issues are resolved, and the service centers are caught up, before launching the midsize that could completely overwhelm the entire system.

 

[gaskiller]

True, but more awareness without reliable user software will be deadly. Right now, too many people know Lucid for making the cars that won't open.

The reliability is hit or miss....mostly hit especially after recent software updates ( from social media posts). Whats the chance of one person getting 2 lemons? Maybe Lucid could just take these vehicles back and give you new ones?

 

[gaskiller]

hmp10 said:
True, but more awareness without reliable user software will be deadly. Right now, too many people know Lucid for making the cars that won't open.

*************************

Your point above is my #1 issue with Lucid's SW and its feeble response!

As you know, there are about multiple ways to get entry to your Lucid (FOB, phone, valet card, break-the-window, etc.). None of them is reliable.

Unlike other Lucid advocates on this forum who rationalize the entry problem as an "inconvenience", I consider the unreliable entry on my AGT a safety problem.

30 days into my ownership in 2022, I took my visiting family on a trip from Phoenix to Sedona. On the return trip, we stopped at Anthem AZ, a small town in a remote area 35 miles from Phoenix. We stopped to go to the bathroom. We couldn't get back into the car. After an hour of trying, I had to call Lucid to remotely unlock my car so we could get home.

To me, Lucid's entry problem with its cars is not a simple "inconvenience". It is a safety problem. I won't let my son and daughter take my Lucid Air out on their own and get stuck in the middle of the night, and have no way to get home.

Every day, when I go to my garage, my Rivian and my Lucid Air are right next to each other. The Rivian unlocks automatically and gracefully. The Lucid is a crap-shoot!

If Lucid wants to succeed, it must take these "mundane" issues seriously. As far as I am concerned, Lucid never really fixed the entry problems on the Air. I can't speak to the Gravity as I don't have first-hand experience.

Exactly, i'm still perplexed how they messed up the keys....I can't get that thought out of my head....its like when you can't get a tune out of your head.....keeps on coming back again and you can't forget. How on Earth ( pun intended) did they mess up the keys!!!!!!!!

But I read most new Gravity owners are not having issues anymore.

 

[tmichael]

I certainly understand your frustration and respect your decision. One can only champion a product or company for so long - you’ve given it all you can and way more than most could!

We all have a breaking point - I’m only in 6 months and have had a generally good experience - but, like you, I have a breaking point - and it wouldn’t be as long as yours.

Glad you are staying on the forum - your experiences, balanced with good and bad, have been phenomenally useful to me and I appreciate your posts.

Thanks again!

 

[tmichael]

The reliability is hit or miss....mostly hit especially after recent software updates ( from social media posts). Whats the chance of one person getting 2 lemons? Maybe Lucid could just take these vehicles back and give you new ones?

I don’t know if this is appropriate or allowed, however can I ask if you are an owner, a shareholder or both an owner and shareholder?

 

[TahoeMichael]

From the moment I was told about Lucid in 2016 I became intrigued. The Air prototype broke so many automotive molds at once, and the credentials of the engineering team were so impressive, that I began following everything I could find about the company. When reservations opened, I was near the head of the line for a Dream Edition. When the first pre-production Air hit the new Lucid showroom in Miami I was there for opening day, and seeing and sitting in that display car simply blew me away.

As soon as the Lucid stock moved out of the SPAC phase, I invested enthusiastically and continued to do so for some time – not because I didn’t know it was risky but because I wanted to support Lucid’s stated mission and the technology behind it.

In the decade since the first prototype was revealed I have followed the company assiduously and supported it by buying its products . . . a total of five Lucids, three of which are currently sitting in our garage: an Air Dream Edition Performance and two Gravity Dream Editions.

So where is my head today about this company?

Well, I have written off my stock investment. I’m not angry about that, as I’m a big boy and understood the risk.

And I have reveled in the fun and comfort of driving Lucids on those days when they are mostly functioning as intended.

But the Gravities have finally broken me. They have the power, handling, style, room, comfort, and structural solidity that is – or should be – the hallmark of the brand. But they also have the more regrettable hallmark of woefully troublesome software.

The software improvements that eventually came to the Air and brought it up to acceptable standards of everyday reliability have sadly eluded the Gravity, and they don’t appear to be anywhere on the horizon.

We’re going to keep the three Lucids we have for a while yet, mostly because I have put close to $20,000 into each car for radar detection systems and PPF protection. And I will keep posting of our experiences with driving and servicing them as they unfold.

Beyond that, though, the exhaustion of dealing with unrelenting Gravity software glitches – even reaching to opening up the cars and starting a drive – has finally worn me down.

We will not be buying another Lucid product in our household as the Gravities have proved to be too erratic and unreliable for everyday transportation needs, and I'm not one for collecting Garage Queens.

It may soon be a moot point. If Lucid rolls out the Cosmos to the mass market with anything like the software problems of the Gravity, the company won’t be around to sell anything, anyway.

No one could blame you if you decided to lemon-law both Gravities. As someone waiting on the sidelines for the Gravity to clearly hit the reliability/quality level needed for me to be comfortable buying, I've been watching your posts carefully. If you come back with a delightful tale of both Gravity's problems being resolved, I'll be buying mine the next day.