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Lucid Air Price Cut Gives Tesla Model S A Stronger EV Rival

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Lucid, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has once again made changes to the pricing of its popular Air electric sedan, making it even more attractive to potential buyers. Notably, two of its trims have now been brought under the $100,000 mark, signaling the company’s commitment to increasing accessibility and competitiveness in the electric car market.

The entry-level Air Pure model has received a price reduction, now starting at $82,400, down from its previous sticker price of $83,975 and an initial ask of $87,400. Meanwhile, the mid-tier Air Touring trim gets the most significant price cut, starting at $95,000 or with a tempting $1,149 monthly payment plan spanning across three years, down from its original price of $107,400.

The flagship variant, the Grand Touring, is now offered at $125,600, which is noticeably lower than its previous price of around $138,000 in the US. Lucid has prominently displayed the updated pricing as a banner update on its official website, highlighting its efforts to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

This isn’t the first time Lucid has offered financial incentives to boost sales. Back in February 2023, the company introduced a direct credit benefit of $7,500 on select Air Touring and Air Grand Touring configurations, reaffirming its commitment to rewarding customers for choosing electric vehicles.

The latest round of price cuts puts Lucid in direct competition with Tesla and Ford, both of which have also reduced the prices of their EV offerings. However, Lucid’s primary objective with these price adjustments is not solely to qualify for the federal EV tax credit, as even their most affordable Air trim remains above the qualifying threshold.

Comparing the Lucid Air with the Tesla Model S and Model X, the price points are becoming more aligned. The Air Pure model’s starting price of $82,400 now competes directly with the Tesla Model S, which starts at $88,490, and the Model X, which starts at $98,490. It’s worth noting that Lucid is particularly targeting the high-end performance segment dominated by Tesla’s Model S Plaid.

Beyond competitive pricing, the Lucid Air boasts impressive performance and specifications. The Air Pure model can travel up to 410 miles on a single charge, delivering 480 hp of peak power and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. In comparison, the base Tesla Model S offers a range of 405 miles and can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds.

Moving up to the Air Touring versions, they compete directly with the more upscale Tesla Model S Plaid. The base Air Touring trim offers an EPA-rated range of 425 miles, and the Grand Touring version takes it even further, reaching an impressive 516 miles. The acceleration time for the Grand Touring is reduced to just 3.0 seconds. On the other hand, the Tesla Model S Plaid boasts an acceleration time of an astonishing 1.99 seconds, although its range is reduced to 396 miles.

Apart from performance, the Lucid Air also distinguishes itself with a wide range of styling options across all configurations, setting it apart from the Tesla Model S and its competitors in the aesthetics department.

In the electric sedan class, the Lucid Air competes not only with Tesla but also with other heavyweight contenders like the Audi E-Tron GT, the Porsche Taycan, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS. With its mix of competitive pricing, impressive performance, and appealing design options, the Lucid Air is poised to make a strong impact in the electric vehicle market.

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During Alphabet’s recent earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that Waymo is considering selling autonomous vehicles for personal ownership, marking a potential strategic expansion beyond its current ride-hailing services. This “future optionality around personal ownership” represents a significant evolution for the autonomous vehicle pioneer that has primarily focused on commercial fleet operations until now.

Historical Context and Current Partnerships

  • 2018 Chrysler Partnership: Waymo previously collaborated with Chrysler to develop autonomous Pacifica minivans, exploring private ownership models
  • Current Commercial Operations: Waymo maintains partnerships with Moove in Miami and Uber in Austin (with Atlanta expansion coming soon)
  • Global Expansion: The company recently began testing in Japan, demonstrating its growing international presence

The Emerging Personal AV Market Landscape

Waymo’s Potential Consumer Offering

While details remain scarce, industry analysts speculate that Waymo’s consumer vehicles might feature:

  • The same advanced sensor suite (including lidar) used in current Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis
  • Five-seat configurations similar to existing fleet vehicles
  • Potentially higher price points reflecting their premium technology

Tesla’s Competing Vision

Elon Musk has outlined Tesla’s very different approach:

  • Cybercab Concept: A $30,000 two-seater targeting 2026 availability
  • Minimalist Design: No steering wheel and camera-only perception system
  • Aggressive Timeline: Promises of “millions” of autonomous Teslas by late 2025

Critical Differences in Technology and Strategy

Sensor Philosophy

  • Waymo: Relies on comprehensive sensor arrays including lidar, radar and cameras
  • Tesla: Bets entirely on camera-based “Tesla Vision” with no lidar

Business Model Evolution

  • Waymo: Potentially transitioning from B2B to B2C while maintaining commercial operations
  • Tesla: Building on existing consumer sales while adding robotaxi functionality

Current Operational Reality

  • Waymo Advantage: Hundreds of vehicles already operating in multiple cities
  • Tesla’s Challenge: Still awaiting regulatory approval for fully autonomous operations

The Road Ahead for Personal AV Adoption

Key Challenges Both Companies Face

  1. Regulatory Hurdles: Approval processes for consumer-owned autonomous vehicles
  2. Insurance Complexities: Developing coverage models for owner-operated robotaxis
  3. Maintenance Infrastructure: Creating service networks for advanced AV systems
  4. Consumer Acceptance: Overcoming public skepticism about self-driving technology

Market Potential

Industry analysts project:

  • The global autonomous vehicle market could reach $2 trillion by 2030
  • Personal AVs may represent 30-40% of total AV sales by 2035
  • Early adopters likely to be tech enthusiasts and luxury vehicle buyers

Expert Perspectives on the Coming AV Wars

“Waymo’s potential move into consumer sales represents a natural evolution,” says Dr. Sarah Chen, MIT Mobility Initiative researcher. “Their rigorous approach to safety and proven technology gives them an advantage, but Tesla’s existing customer base and manufacturing scale present formidable competition.”

Automotive analyst James Follett notes: “The fundamental difference in sensor strategies will make for an interesting case study in AV development. We’re essentially seeing two completely different technological philosophies competing for the same market.”

What This Means for Consumers

As the personal AV market develops, potential buyers should consider:

  • Safety Records: Compare real-world performance data as it becomes available
  • Total Cost of Ownership: Factor in potential savings from robotaxi income
  • Geographic Availability: Services will likely roll out in select markets first
  • Technology Maturity: Early versions may have operational limitations

The coming years will prove crucial in determining whether Waymo’s methodical, safety-first approach or Tesla’s ambitious, scale-focused strategy will dominate the personal autonomous vehicle market. One thing is certain: the race to put self-driving cars in private garages is heating up.

What started as a smooth court hearing on Friday regarding the sale of Nikola Corporation’s key assets to Lucid Motors took a sharp turn toward controversy — all thanks to a late intervention by a familiar figure from Nikola’s past.

The hearing, conducted via Zoom and overseen by Delaware bankruptcy judge Thomas Horan, had been progressing without a hitch. No formal objections had been filed, and Judge Horan gave his verbal approval for the sale without hesitation. That is, until a new voice broke the calm.

A lawyer, representing ISSO LLC — a firm tied to Trevor Milton, Nikola’s embattled founder — spoke up. His client had “concerns” about the auction process, the attorney said, though he clarified they could be addressed later. He emphasized, however, that he didn’t want his client’s current silence to be used against them in future legal proceedings.

This seemingly minor comment cast a long shadow over what should have been a straightforward conclusion. Trevor Milton, recently spared a prison term by a pardon from former President Donald Trump, appears far from finished with Nikola.

Milton’s Ongoing Influence and Legal Entanglements

Trevor Milton has a complicated history with Nikola. After resigning amid fraud allegations, he faced multiple lawsuits and an arbitration award ordering him to pay $168 million to Nikola — a sum that plays a critical role in the company’s ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Before filing for bankruptcy, Nikola agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit from shareholders who had accused Milton of making false and misleading statements. That settlement hinged on distributing any proceeds from the arbitration award to affected shareholders.

Milton’s legal maneuvering during the bankruptcy process has not gone unnoticed. His representatives’ attempts to contest the sale or delay proceedings suggest he may be angling to undermine the company’s efforts to stabilize and move forward — potentially impacting that $168 million award.

What Lucid Motors Is Gaining — and What Nikola Still Holds

Despite the courtroom drama, the sale to Lucid Motors was officially approved. Lucid acquired:

  • Nikola’s Coolidge, Arizona factory
  • The Phoenix headquarters lease
  • Key manufacturing equipment
  • Around 300 Nikola employees who will join Lucid’s workforce

However, Nikola is not completely out of the asset business. It retains its inventory of hydrogen-powered trucks and various other equipment, leaving the door open for additional sales to generate much-needed funds.

Nikola’s Legal Team Pushes Back Against Milton

Nikola’s attorney, Joshua Morris, made it clear during the hearing that Milton’s last-minute objections were not only expected but also unwelcome.

“This is a pattern of behavior that we’ve seen over and over,” Morris said, referencing Milton’s history of disruptive tactics.

Morris argued that Milton’s actions appeared to be an effort to sabotage Nikola’s recovery, speculating that Milton might be trying to force a desperation-driven settlement that would devalue the arbitration award he owes.

“We believe these are baseless assertions. When asked for any evidence or specificity, none was provided,” Morris stated. “We ran the sale process openly and involved all parties.”

Ultimately, the hearing concluded without any formal delays, though the unresolved tension between Milton and his former company leaves open the possibility of future legal battles.

A spokesperson for Milton did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

What This Means for Nikola’s Future

The approval of the asset sale to Lucid Motors is a critical milestone for Nikola as it seeks to navigate bankruptcy proceedings and chart a path forward. However, Trevor Milton’s lingering influence and legal maneuvers could continue to complicate efforts to fully stabilize the company.

As Nikola pushes forward, the focus will likely remain on:

  • Successfully liquidating remaining assets
  • Upholding the shareholder settlement linked to Milton’s arbitration award
  • Minimizing disruption from ongoing legal threats

Lucid Motors, meanwhile, gains valuable infrastructure and talent to bolster its own ambitions in the competitive EV market.

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