Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson recently teased the automaker’s third model, a mid-size EV, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Phase 2 at its AMP-1 production facility in Arizona. This upcoming model is positioned to be a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
Phase 2 of Lucid Motor’s AMP-1 production facility has recently been completed, expanding from approximately 800,000 square feet to over 3.8 million sq. ft. This phase will be home to the production of Lucid’s second flagship EV – the Gravity SUV, and includes a stamping machine and a second body shop. Additionally, it provides space to bring supply chain storage and powertrains in-house rather than requiring parts to be transported from a different location.
To mark the completion of Phase 2, Lucid Motors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several local mayors and Arizona politicians, including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and US Representative Juan Ciscomani.
At the event, Lucid Motors CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson introduced Lucid’s Air sedan and the Gravity SUV, highlighting their notable specifications and market potential. He also confirmed the existence of a third model – a mid-size EV intended for the mass market and aimed at competing directly with Tesla’s Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover.
Lucid’s mid-size Tesla competitor coming, but a ways away
Affordable Lucid model, called “project mid-size”, is already in development, as confirmed by Derek Jenkins, Lucid’s senior vice president of design and brand. He expressed the excitement for this program to create a model that will offer luxury, capability, and technology attributes for a mass-market audience. While project mid-size is still in development, the design is already mostly finalized with ongoing review processes.
Peter Rawlinson aims to ensure that the Gravity SUV will be a remarkable vehicle. He highlighted its design, luxury, and efficiency, particularly in terms of space utilization and optimization throughout the SUV.
Rawlinson stated that the Lucid aims to deliver cars that are faster, go further, last longer, and gradually become more affordable. He emphasized the strategy of using technological advancements and profits from higher-end models to produce a fully scaled, mass-market EV. This is akin to the strategy employed by Tesla, particularly with the Model 3, years after Rawlinson’s work with the Model S.
Furthermore, Rawlinson shared that the mid-size model will be a more affordable car, competing directly with Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y. Lucid’s plan is to target a much larger consumer base with the new model.
‘Mid-size’ is going to be our more affordable car – more of a (Tesla) Model 3, Model Y competitor.
According to Rawlinson, the new mid-size model already exists in a design studio and is with advanced engineering. He acknowledged that the company is focused on developing the mid-size model alongside the Gravity SUV.
Our mid-size is, for the first time, its overtly going to be a Tesla competitor. Its going to be the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. It’s our big volume platform and we’re going to do this and this is a few years from now.
As the mid-size model development progresses, Lucid remains committed to expanding its presence in the affordable EV market. Rawlinson emphasized the importance of competition in driving innovation and welcomed the opportunity to offer quality, affordable EVs to consumers.
Lucid’s aim to introduce a mid-size model as a Tesla competitor represents the company’s dedication to becoming a prominent player in the EV market. The company’s emphasis on delivering luxury, high-quality vehicles extends to its strategy of producing affordable EVs for mass-market appeal.
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