EV maker Lucid debates right-hand drive moves

BELEAGURED US BEV manufacturer Lucid is aiming for a change in fortunes after news emerged at the recent IAA Munich Motor Show that it has a new midsize SUV in the pipeline and that it will be available in the UK.

That decision paves the way for other right-hand drive markets, including Australia, which has been on Lucid’s hit list since 2016.

The Lucid Gravity large luxury SUV (pictured), which made its European debut at the Munich event, is also a candidate for the UK market, which means it too would have to be built in right-hand drive format.

As well as Australia, manufacturing right-hand drive vehicles would give Lucid a foothold in up to 75 other markets, including Japan, India, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and more.

Speaking with AutoExpress in Munich, Lucid CEO Marc Winterhoff said, “Right-hand drive requires additional investment. However, we have recently reopened this plan for the Gravity, as right-hand drive applies not just to the UK but a number of other potential markets, too”.

“You’ll have to bear with us as to whether or not we go ahead with this,” he said.

Autoexpress said Mr Winterhoff confirmed plans to attack the UK market late next year with the new mid-sized SUV to rival Tesla’s Model Y.

“Lucid will enter the UK with a mid-size platform,” commented Mr Winterhoff.

Although the brand is remaining tight-lipped about its future models the incoming platform is set to be the basis of both a Tesla Model Y and Model 3 rival, confirmed by Mr Winterhoff who said the new architecture is scheduled to arrive in December 2026, with a target price from around £36,900 ($A75,615).

This would undercut both the Model 3 and the Model Y in the UK, although Autoexpress said any word on specs, range, and performance is still some distance away.

The Gravity is priced in Europe from around €117,000 (roughly $A210,000) which would position it against legacy premium brands, many of which are struggling with high-priced electric models. It is said to have a family-friendly advantage in its seven-seat configuration, in addition to a “huge amount of useable space” and even a picnic seat located in the ‘frunk’.

It uses a 123kWh battery pack the offers a claimed range of up to 750km giving it one of the longest ranges among electric cars to date.

To recap, despite recent funding from Saudi Arabia, Lucid Motors is facing significant financial troubles due to persistent losses with large quarterly deficits and a substantial overall deficit rumoured to exceed $US12 billion ($A18.1b) despite some revenue gains.

The company also struggles with production issues, safety recalls for faulty components like high voltage coolant heaters and high prices limiting sales volumes and has also struck labour issues that remain unresolved.