If I tell you about a young California electric car brand, you immediately think of Tesla. Logic: The manufacturer has become a hit around the world, mainly thanks to the Model 3 and Model Y, the latter of which became the best-selling car in Europe in 2023 and the second best-selling electric car in France after the Dacia Spring. And neither repeated scandals nor repeated reliability problems change anything: Tesla is a hit! Enough to make it a logical and obvious target for many brands and the market standard when new EVs are launched. However, today we are talking about Lucid. Lucid Motors is a startup founded in 2007 in Menlo Park, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.. Therefore, the similarity with Tesla is great. But where Elon Musk’s brand is focused on the “plus” of a broad profile, Lucid is clearly focused on luxury. That was until today anyway…

Lucid wants its ‘Model Y’

After the Air luxury sedan, Lucid has just introduced its second model: Gravity. A model that should already allow him to significantly increase his client base, if only because of his architecture. The SUV is much more in the current trend, but above all it will remain a true luxury product. Because while its price hasn’t been revealed yet, its announced output of “over 800 horsepower” suggests that it’s based on the Air Grand Touring, which has a starting price of €110,900 in its home country. Unattainable by mere mortals. And in such conditions it is difficult to predict large volumes. That’s why the manufacturer began work on the development of a more compact SUV that will compete with the Tesla Model Y. A model that CEO Peter Rawlinson wants to position under $50,000. A price that would make it competitive with its compatriot, as well as a host of other models it will have to go up against: the Audi Q4 e-Tron, BMW iX3 and Mercedes EQC in particular. Especially if it stays true to the principles of great autonomy that Lucid has offered since the beginning.

Too expensive for Europe?

however, such a model should not arrive before the end of 2025. It’s almost two years. Two years, during which the competition will not be idle. Either from a product standpoint, or even perhaps from a price standpoint. And to see it land in Europe, you’ll probably have to be even more patient. Really, Last year, Lucid tentatively began its European expansion through Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and even Switzerland. But volumes remain confidential for now, and a large-scale network rollout doesn’t seem to be on the agenda. If it seems possible to order it from France in one of these countries, keep in mind that the prices are obviously still more elite than in the original America: the “entry-level” Pure version (with 487 hp in all the same and 725 km WLTP). ) costs €109,000 in Germany, while in the United States it costs “only” €72,000 ($77,400)! Therefore, the more affordable model will probably also suffer from high inflation during the Atlantic crossing.

The Lucid “Model Y” will certainly have its own map in the world of luxury electric cars. But even if it will be more affordable than the current Air and Gravity, it will obviously remain a luxury product.

Read also:

Lucid Gravity: 7-seater SUV in the program!

Lucid Air: the best electric autonomy in Europe

Lucid Gravity: the new high-end SUV designed for Tesla