After its massive merger with SPAC Churchill Capital Corp IV ($ CCIV), the CEO of Lucid Motors revealed that deliveries of its first EV were delayed. Lucid Motors Air, Dream Edition was originally scheduled to start deliveries this spring. Now it looks like it will be released sometime in the second half of 2021.
BloombergEd Ludlow tweeted that Lucid’s Air, Dream Edition, the first EV to debut for the automaker, will be delayed. This information, among many other details, was revealed by Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson in an interview with Ludlow.
Lucid’s SPAC merger offers time to hit Air
In the interview, Rawlinson speaks openly about the decision to launch Lucid’s first EV. He also explains that several factors influenced the decision, mainly after its recent merger with SPAC CCIV. In addition, Rawlinson proceeds to share what the automaker planned after Lucid Air, Dream Edition was eventually delivered.
Speaking digitally to Ed Ludlow, Rawlinson admits he was pushing hard toward the spring deadline for the Dream Edition luxury sedan. He recently described flying the first Lucid Air off the assembly line with the Churchill Capital team. This included founder Michael Klein and former Ford Motors CEO Alan Mulally.
Rawlinson said the CCIV team told him that Lucid Motors should take time to get the first Air right. They also told him it was okay if production reached the second half of the year. Lucid’s CEO describes the conversation as “be released”. This gave him the freedom to decide when to pull the trigger on deliveries.
This thinking process makes sense for an emerging EV manufacturer promoting its fleet as a luxury. Rawlinson makes a rare mention of Tesla, describing its launch of the Model S sedan almost a decade ago. He said that EVs were still new and fun at the time, and people were more forgiving of the first quality issues. He explains that people are not so lenient now, especially for a new brand that promises cutting-edge luxury.
COVID-19 remains a factor in Lucid’s delays
Churchill Capital Corp IV’s blessing (and bankroll) appears to be a welcome delay for Rawlinson. In reality, he gains more time to adjust the Dream Edition, which benefits customers. On the contrary, there are still factors that are out of Lucid Motors’ hands that contribute to delays in Air production.
Rawlinson admits that the U.S. automaker is still chasing more than 3,000 parts from more than 250 suppliers worldwide. After a year of global pandemic, many companies, including automakers, face delays from international suppliers.
One component that Lucid doesn’t seem to be missing, however, is semiconductors. The CEO said the global semiconductor shortages did not personally affect Lucid Motors. He then revealed that his purchasing teams predicted the shortage and made smart supply deals to mitigate the risk of running out of chips. Many car manufacturers around the world, like Tesla, were not so lucky.
When will Lucid Motors’ Air, Dream Edition debut?
This question remains uncertain. From now on, Dream Edition Air deliveries may begin a few days in the third quarter of 2021, or they may begin before the end of the year. Lucid will not commit to a timeline at this time. Of all the answers given by Peter Rawlinson, Lucid Motors feels confident with his extra time and additional funding. But hey, he is the CEO. He has to look cool and confident under any circumstances, right?
He also said that the $ 4.5 billion from the merger with SPAC will give the automaker a clear lead by 2023. That’s when Lucid plans to start phase two of its new plant, paving the way for its next Project Gravity SUV.
Check again with our Lucid Motors guide for updates on the delivery of Air, Dream Edition and all other things related to the car manufacturer.
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