Thoughts About Negative Posts

[Buffalo Bob]

This is my only foray into social media, so maybe it's the norm now, and I'm just an out of touch crotchety old fart. This forum used to be a wealth of useful information, along with a nice balance of kudos, frustrations, humor, debate, suggestions, commiserations, and outright complaints. It still is, I suppose, as long as I'm willing to wade through the torrents of regret. I find it increasingly exhausting. I guess it's time for me to seek a better balance elsewhere. Ooh... Regret... Sorry.

 

[socktucker]

Are you complaining about people complaining?

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Are you complaining about people complaining?

Yup. But just this once. I won't go on and on about it.

 

[socktucker]

Yup. But just this once. I won't go on and on about it.

Most of your posts are complaints, but you do mix them up I agree. I’ll cite my sources:

My opinion... I may be wrong... Lucid did exactly what I expected them to do at the onset. With the Air, they came up with an outstanding design and great hardware, but with initial fit and finish issues and PRIMARILY software issues that only excited early adopters would tolerate. Lucid stuck tight with those early owners to resolve the hardware issues fairly quickly, but somewhat challenged their patience on the software side, along with poor quality control on their OTA updates. Within two years, however, the Air was only plagued with a few minor operating annoyances and delayed features.

BUT, the expectation was that the Air learning curve would lead to a much smoother Gravity launch... such that the time it took to get the Air up-to-speed would be at least cut in half, and thus build a credible case for Lucid to be able to move away from early adopters into the mainstream high-volume mid-size market with a fine-tuned launch. Think a really nice Chevy Bolt.

I don't know if it was bonus incentives, PIF demands, or whatever, but their BIG failure failure was bringing out the Gravity way too soon, such that it seemed that they learned nothing from the Air launch. (Perhaps they did learn very little.) Then, once they did start shipping the Gravity in volume, their HUGE failure was having let their service infrastructure fall woefully behind the demands of the installed base... not to mention the insanity of asking owners to drop off their vehicles for even minor repairs weeks before they expected the repairs to start.

One of the few things Lucid now needs to do is already underway. Emad Dalia has initiated major focus on more quickly resolving the software issues. What I have not seen is the initiation of major focus on ramping the service infrastructure to not only handle the current installed base, but to continue the ramp getting ready for mid-size... and to plan the mid-size such that it is not launched before it is at least 90% ready for prime time... even if that means waiting until 2028.

They can survive this if they move fast enough where they need to, and move slow enough where they need to.

Like I said. I may be wrong.

I don't know which is worse... Emad leaving of his own volition, or him being pushed out. Either way, I can think of nothing that would raise Lucid's risk profile more than his departure.

I know! Let's drop the sale/lease prices on the Gravity, and then close the service centers to pay for the margin hit!

I don't worry about software nearly as much as I worry about the position they've put themselves in from a service perspective. If they can't even maintain the current installed base on a timely basis, what does that say about their ability (or intent) to ramp their infrastructure in time to support the demands a mainstream market vehicle?

Wow! You're certainly right! It is nowhere near as intense as these photographs. Maybe 25% as bright on my Pure AWD, unless there is a setting I don't know about.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Most of your posts are complaints, but you do mix them up I agree. I’ll cite my sources:

I disagree about my relative mix of complaints, but my point was not about complaints. It's specifically one of the items that I counted among the useful stuff. And I often at least attempt to offer a solution to what I'm complaining about. I'm talking about outright regrets. I am far from totally satisfied with my Lucid Air, or with how Lucid chooses to run its business, but I have never regretted buying it. Quite the contrary.

 

[socktucker]

I disagree about my relative mix of complaints, but my point was not about complaints. It's specifically one of the items that I counted among the useful stuff. And I often at least attempt to offer a solution to what I'm complaining about. I'm talking about outright regrets. I am far from totally satisfied with my Lucid Air, or with how Lucid chooses to run its business, but I have never regretted buying it. Quite the contrary.

Personally I don’t regret buying the idea, just the particular car I got. And I am convinced that most Airs are fine, particularly the Dream Edition.

 

[scal_air]

If there was anyone who has the most reason to complain, it would be you @socktucker! I can't believe how misfortune seems to follow your Lucid.

Hang in there @Buffalo Bob! I do think Lucid is going through a rough patch right now. Lots of changes in upper management and missteps with service. Not surprised we hear alot of complaints but things seem to be stabilizing.

The forum is still helpful for new and old owners- many issues can be solved without service calls. Even if problems are not solved, it helps to know that there are others in the same boat.

And let's give a shout out to the mods that keep the forum running smoothly and the members from getting too prickly.

 

[Spaceship]

Most of social media has skewed this way as of late. It started with Facebook. I left that nonsense and started an Instagram as the environment there was more uplifting. Now its the same people there as well. Youtube comments. Reddit. People just love to complain. Negativity draws engagement. Go to any other car forum, and it will be very similar.

Shame, really. Wish we could celebrate more and be happy, but nowhere near that much engagement there with current algorithms.

 

[mike1121]

Most of social media has skewed this way as of late. It started with Facebook. I left that nonsense and started an Instagram as the environment there was more uplifting. Now its the same people there as well. Youtube comments. Reddit. People just love to complain. Negativity draws engagement. Go to any other car forum, and it will be very similar.

Shame, really. Wish we could celebrate more and be happy, but nowhere near that much engagement there with current algorithms.

In my short time on the forum, I’ve noticed there’s a lot of champagne problems.

 

[socktucker]

Feelings aren’t facts they say. If you look at the most popular threads, they are 80% positive/neutral, 20% minor gripe about service times. So as a whole on a rolling 7 days, this forum is mostly positive.

 

[mike1121]

Feelings aren’t facts they say. If you look at the most popular threads, they are 80% positive/neutral, 20% minor gripe about service times. So as a whole on a rolling 7 days, this forum is mostly positive.

View attachment 39497

Facts? You’re crazy man.

But what are the “vibes”?
/s

 

[Macrocosmcwh]

i am happy
I AM HAPPY
I AMMMMMM HAAAAAAAAPPPPYYYYY!!!!!

just sucks when i am without my car....

 

[L-Dude]

I love my car, but it is disappointing how much negativity is expressed here. There are a few people here who have had horrible experiences with their Lucid, and that is an awful thing. But I feel like they are trying to get back at Lucid with continual negative posts, and "liking" every negative comment by any poster here. It is tedious and disappointing. I guess I might feel the same way, but dang it stains the forum.

 

[donfenn]

At least there is room here for the expression of concerns and a few gripes. I was suspended from one of social media Lucid pages for reinforcing negativity about 21" Pirelli OEM tire blowouts and durability. It was about the tires, not the car.

 

[socktucker]

At least there is room here for some gripes. I was suspended from one of social media Lucid pages for reinforcing negativity about 21" Pirelli OEM tire blowouts and durability

Kwon bans everybody but pretends he doesn’t. I know exactly what club you’re talking about

 

[mike1121]

I love my car, but it is disappointing how much negativity is expressed here. There are a few people here who have had horrible experiences with their Lucid, and that is an awful thing. But I feel like they are trying to get back at Lucid with continual negative posts, and "liking" every negative comment by any poster here. It is tedious and disappointing. I guess I might feel the same way, but dang it stains the forum.

People who are generally happy with a product or service don’t talk about it on the internet as much as the angry ones, they just enjoy it.

I personally don’t get it. Was my Land Rover a $100k POS: for sure. Did I go on the Land Rover subreddit and find owner forums to complain about it: nope. I just got rid of it and moved on with my life. And my experience with that thing far surpassed most of the complaints I have seen on here.

I understand some saltiness when it lets you down. I really do. But it’s just a car. Move on and find something new that makes you happy!

FWIW, 3 weeks in and we absolutely love our Gravity. I would pick up another one of these things in a heartbeat. And yes, I’ve had some minor issues. But nothing I would lose my mind about.

 

[prgarg]

Was my Land Rover a $100k POS: for sure. Did I go on the Land Rover subreddit and find owner forums to complain about it: nope. I just got rid of it and moved on with my life.

I feel one thing is to be disappointed with your purchase, but getting a product (regardless of price) that is flawed and the vendor refuses to fix it is a whole different situation.

 

[mike1121]

I feel one thing is to be disappointed with your purchase, but getting a product (regardless of price) that is flawed and the vendor refuses to fix it is a whole different situation.

For sure frustrating, I can sympathize. Land Rover did eventually fix it, but we were beyond the point of no return by then and I was either going to lemon it or just trade it in for something else.

 

[prgarg]

For sure frustrating, I can sympathize. Land Rover did eventually fix it, but we were beyond the point of no return by then and I was either going to lemon it or just trade it in for something else.

I hear you, that's where I am today as well. I agree with the notion that you hit a point of no return and it is time to move on.

 

[DS9]

I'm not disgruntled, I'm just concerned about the service footprint (or lack thereof) in my area.