Lucid says it remains on track to launch its highly anticipated midsize electric SUV in 2026, as it looks to take on a segment of the market currently dominated by the Tesla Model Y.
“There are a lot of crazy things going on in the world that can affect that timeline. But currently, we are on track,” said Derek Jenkins, Lucid’s senior vice president of design and brand. (via Reuters) Jenkins noted that Lucid’s teams are actively preparing assembly lines and working closely with suppliers to meet its production targets.
The upcoming midsize SUV, expected to start around US$50,000, represents a significant expansion into a more affordable segment of the EV market. Lucid currently produces its luxury Air sedan and the Gravity SUV. The new crossover will also be priced to compete with models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Rivian’s forthcoming R2—vehicles that offer a mix of performance and practicality at a lower cost than Lucid’s current lineup.
Lucid’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff also addressed the impact of renewed U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration, saying that while the company has no current plans to raise prices, it is taking steps to localize its supply chain.
“We have signed agreements with battery cell and graphite suppliers to bring production to the United States,” Winterhoff told Reuters. “The plants are being built right now, so it’s not something that we can switch on today, but it’s in the near future.”
The Saudi-backed automaker expects growing interest in its current Gravity SUV lineup to help double overall production to around 20,000 units in 2025. A more affordable Touring version of the Gravity, starting at $79,900 USD, is set to launch later this year.
