Latest news with #PeterRawlinson
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Why The Lucid Gravity Electric SUV Is A Top Tesla Alternative
The Lucid Gravity electric SUV Not long a go a friend messaged me: she wants to trade her Tesla Y for a larger EV with a third row. What did I think of the Lucid Gravity? The things she likes about her Tesla Y are now widely available, from brands like Cadillac and Kia to Hyundai, Volvo, Rivian and Mercedes-Benz: Seating for six or seven passengers, innovative technology and a long driving range for daily driving and road trips. The Lucid Gravity, priced from $74,900 to $94,900, was at the top of the list and for good reason: it's designed and engineered by many of the same people who built Tesla into an EV powerhouse. Lucid's former CEO, chief technology officer and board chair Peter Rawlinson brought Lucid to market after leading the development of the Tesla S, and his fingerprints are core to Lucid's engineering and approach. Also bringing EV development experience to the Gravity is chief engineer Eric Bach who, as with his time at Tesla, is focused on iterating better charging, more efficient batteries and ultimately, a longer driving range. Other ex-carmaker executives also are putting an imprint on the Lucid Gravity: chief of design Derek Jenkins, formerly of Mazda, brings a sharp, modern look and more human-centered approach to design, something Tesla has been criticized for. Jenkins' design approach focuses on family, flexibility and space, all while keeping the SUV's size and proportions on the smaller size, adding agility on the road and making it easier to park. The rear of the Lucid Gravity The result of this team approach is an 828 hp powerhouse of an SUV, thanks to a novel new battery design that is smaller yet more powerful. The new powertrain is designed to recharge fast and has a NACS Tesla-style charger; it can charge at the most powerful public DC fast chargers and recoup more than 400 kilometers of range in just 8.5 minutes. In comparison, Gravity isn't far off of the BYD record for logging the same charge in just 5 minutes. Gravity also sets new records with EV range, up to 450 miles on a charge, and features standard AWD and multiple drive modes: Smooth, Swift and Sprint, each delivering instant torque for a sporty feel on the road. Adding to the sports car DNA is rear wheel steering, and the result is two-fold: The Gravity is better able to hug the curves on the road and to angle perfectly into a parking spot. For a three-row SUV, both are a bonus. The Lucid Gravity's cabin and glass canopy roof While yes, this is a large SUV, the amount of power it delivers is more commonly found in sports cars like the Mercedes-Benz AMG 63 SE Performance or sporty SUVs like the BMW XM. This much power in a family SUV is takes a little extra thoughtfulness to ensure it's properly harnessed for comfort and safety. Lucid's engineering team did just that. The suspension is designed not only for comfort, but to prevent passengers from being tossed around on tight curves and fun roads; the rear wheel steering helps this, too. Even passengers in the way back should be comfortable, thanks also to good visibility through the panoramic sunroof, side windows and enough air vents to keep the cool (or warm) air flowing. The under-floor cargo well in the Lucid Gravity With seating for six or seven passengers and a sizable cargo space, the Lucid Gravity is thoughtful about where its owners will go and what they will do in it, from action sports to relaxing road trips to daily hauling of stuff and people. The experience in the driver's seat is great, but so is every seat in the car, even when it's not occupied. That's because third row seats can be folded into the floor when not in use, similar to minivan seat storage. And when they're in use, a large cargo well adds a tremendous amount of space. Buyers have a choice of a two-row or three row configuration, and can opt for captains chairs or a center row bench. Center row seats also slide and tilt for third row access, adding another layer of accessibility; these seats can slide forward even with a child car seat installed making the third row very usable. The interior of the Lucid Gravity Lucid took a new approach to the driver's controls and information setup, using a new 'squircle' design for the steering wheel: it's flat on top and bottom and features a two-spoke design with touch-sensitive pads on either side for driver's controls. These touchpads control many settings including Dream Drive adaptive cruise control and entertainment functions. Unlike the Lucid Air, the Gravity's functions are found on a linear screen that spans the dash, though like the Air, a Pilot Panel just below it is where functions can be controlled and customized. Below the Pilot Panel Lucid added a strip of buttons for quick access to climate control and a textured metal roller bar for radio volume control. Many of the climate controls, as well as other functions, can also be found on the static tool bar at the bottom of the Pilot Panel; this tool bar remains no matter what is showing on the screen. The Lucid Gravity Pilot Panel This might be one of the best features—and another not seen in Telsa: The option to customize your interior, from leatherette to leather options. Design themes center around iconic California landscapes like Yosemite, Mojave or Ojai, playing on the colors and tones that evoke those famous places. Another feature buyers can add is stadium seating for the frunk: A foldable seat with a bumper guard and side panels adds comfortable seating for two in the frunk, which is complete with power ports, lights and cup holders, making it the perfect place to sit back, relax and watch that travel lacrosse tournament that your kids talked you into. These features alone make the Lucid Gravity a great alternative to Tesla, especially for those who want to up their EV experience and bring the gang along.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Great News for General Motors Investors
Trucks carry higher margins than sedans. Trucks also require heavier and more expensive batteries. New chemistry could unlock superior performance. 10 stocks we like better than General Motors › Full-size trucks and Detroit automakers are a match made in heaven, and the former have kept a grip on the U.S. market for decades. It's a good thing too, because the margins and profits delivered with full-size trucks are gigantic compared to mainstream sedans. Sales of full-size trucks kept the lights on during dark days, but the question has been, "How feasible are trucks as electric vehicles?" Let's dig into the challenges facing trucks, and one breakthrough automaker General Motors (NYSE: GM) had recently that could substantially improve costs. Here's the secret about Detroit's bread-and-butter full-size trucks: They don't cost much more to manufacture than sedans, and the price tag to consumers can be around 4x higher. But this gravy train could be coming to an end, because things are different when you enter the electric truck. For the full-size electric truck to be capable of hauling loads, it would need to be equipped with a powerful battery -- those get heavy, and they get expensive. Gone are the days when you could manufacture a full-size electric truck for marginally more than a sedan, primarily thanks to the massive battery costs. Don't take it from just me. Lucid's former CEO, Peter Rawlinson, said it's "very tough to make an electric pickup work today." That's apparently one reason why you'll only find luxury sedans and SUVs in Lucid's lineup and product pipeline. Here's the good news: Battery costs are going down, and General Motors has made a recent splash in battery chemistry. General Motors recently announced it developed a new battery cell with joint venture partner LG Energy Solution -- GM started research on the new battery cells in 2015. The upside is the new battery, called lithium manganese-rich (LMR), will bring down costs on its EVs without compromising on range. "... It's a game-changing battery for electric trucks," Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president of battery, propulsion and sustainability, told reporters according to Automotive News. "We believe we can deliver more than 400 miles of range in a single charge in a truck, while significantly reducing our battery costs." A brief recap: GM accelerated its LMR cell development in 2020, invested $85 million in manganese supplier Element 25 in 2023, and as of 2025 have tested the cells in R&D labs to the equivalent of 1.5 million miles of EV driving. General Motors' new battery chemistry is really just an example of how things will likely be going forward. Just as one engine size doesn't fit all gasoline vehicles, one battery size or chemistry doesn't fit all EVs. To optimize performance and costs, automakers are going to have to experiment with different chemistry and sizes, among other variables, and it's a great sign GM's joint venture is making real progress -- this battery is expected to be on the market in 2028. Perhaps more importantly, this is just a little good news that eventually could drive the profitability and margins for EV trucks just as we're used to for gasoline counterparts -- and that's huge for investors. It's also imperative to bring prices down to open the door to more consumers. Detroit automakers need full-size trucks to stay as bread-and-butter products hauling massive margins. Ultimately, GM's upcoming battery, and JV with LG Energy Solution, is just one more smart move GM has made. Before you buy stock in General Motors, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and General Motors wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 12, 2025 Daniel Miller has positions in General Motors. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Great News for General Motors Investors was originally published by The Motley Fool
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Lucid Gravity review: Seven-seat Tesla rival heaving with tech
There's a fair bit of Britishness around Lucid, not least because the company was set up and run until recently by British former Tesla engineer Peter Rawlinson. Rawlinson's obsession was with the efficiency of Lucid's drivetrain, and he even struck a deal with Aston Martin to use Lucid tech in the British brand's upcoming EVs. The Lucid Air was the brand's first car to launch. A big saloon rival to the Tesla Model S, it scooped the World Luxury Car Award in 2023. Despite reported financial troubles, Lucid continues to grow its sales and this latest model, the seven-seat Gravity, is a stunning car. It sits lower and looks sleeker than other seven-seat SUVs, let alone electric ones. It combines strong build quality with a decent drive, a comfortable ride and plenty of room for seven people in all three rows. Everyone – including those in the front – get a great view out and up thanks to the panoramic roof, which blends into a windscreen that flows over the top of the driver's head. It gave a great view of the New York skyline on our test drive. The Lucid Gravity features strong tech on board too. There's a curved 34in display with 6K OLED tech that seems to float just above the dashboard, with an augmented reality head-up display. Underneath is a big 120kWh battery on a 926V platform, meaning the Gravity can charge at up to 400kW if you can find a fast enough charger. That equates to adding 200 miles of range in under 11 minutes. How we tested Lucid let us take the Gravity for a quick test drive at the New York Auto Show. We did the usual checks on usability, tech and the passenger experience in the back seats, and had a drive around Manhattan's quick and not-so-quick roads. Independent rating: 9/10 Pros: Loads of space, blends tech with usability, efficiency, great roof Cons: No plans for the UK… yet Lucid Gravity specs Price range: $94,900 (£70,800) Battery size: 120kWh Maximum claimed range: 450 miles Miles per kWh: TBC Maximum charging rate: 400kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive Lucid doesn't officially quote battery size – something it obviously learnt from Tesla – but we understand the Gravity Grand Touring model that's currently available packs a whopping 120kWh battery pack, with a claimed maximum range on US tests of 450 miles. A cheaper Touring model comes later this year with a smaller battery. What we do know is that Lucid's advanced tech includes a 925V platform that helps with super-fast charging. Assuming you can find a suitably fast charger, the Gravity will take power at 400kW. Combined with Lucid's claim that the car can sustain fast charging for longer, that means 200 miles could be added in under 11 minutes. The company also says it can charge at a sustained speed of up to 225kW on Tesla's fastest V3 Superchargers. In our short test drive, we got a chance to test Lucid's acceleration claims. The Gravity certainly feels as quick as its 0-60mph time of 3.4 seconds suggests – a bizarre sensation in a seven-seat SUV. Throttle response is suitably sharp, but throttle modulation is good and you can drive the Gravity in a relaxed manner, which pleases passengers. One-pedal driving is intuitive, too. We were also impressed by the ride quality over New York's notoriously bumpy streets. The Gravity, with its air suspension, rode the bumps well and is unlikely to fluster passengers too much. Although this SUV is no sports car, it does a reasonable impression of one with beefy-feeling steering that balances reaction times and feedback without feeling overly responsive. Rear-wheel steering helps manoeuvring this large 5,029mm SUV. Interior, practicality and boot space Not only is the build quality of the Lucid Gravity impressive, the space on offer is too. Whether you're in the first, second or third rows there's plenty of space, helped by the wonderful panoramic roof that seems to merge seamlessly with the extended windscreen flowing back over the driver's head. The flat floor helps to boost the space on offer, especially in row two where the seats slide back and forth (powered, obviously) to provide limo-like space. Clever fold-out tables on the back of the front seats mean you can actually work without having to perch your laptop on your lap. Moving the middle seats forward at the touch of a lever makes getting access to the third row about as easy as possible, helped by long, wide-opening rear doors. In the third row there's good head and leg space. Boot space is pretty impressive, too. All five rear seats fold flat to give a maximum 3,143 litres of total space. Even with all seven seats in use, there's still 594 litres of room. You can even sit in the frunk with a padded seat that folds out from the floor. There's plenty of sustainable materials available including sustainable woods and vegan leather – which looks and feels pretty much the like the real thing. It's a tasteful, well-judged interior that looks and feels premium, and is comfortable, too. Even the squared-off steering wheel, set low for a better view of the screen, feels great to use. Unlike on the latest Tesla models, there are stalks behind the wheel for indicators, wipers and gear selection. Technology, stereo and infotainment The star of the show is the 34in, 6K OLED curved screen, which combines the driver display with touchscreen controls. But there's also a second touchscreen lower down and just above the centre console with fast keys for the ventilation. Just in case the big screen isn't enough for you, there's also a high-definition head-up display with augmented reality to help you with navigation. There's wireless Apple CarPlay, but Android Auto users will have to wait a little longer. Sticking to the sleepy naming convention, Lucid calls its autonomous driving tech DreamDrive. It uses radar, lidar and cameras to manage situation awareness, with a display showing you all of the road (and path) users around you. Of course, the car will drive itself in lane and change lanes, with over the air updates keeping the software up to date. Numerous sensors keep watch when you're not in the car, too. The in-house audio system sounded good when we turned it on briefly. There are 22 speakers and Dolby Atmos for a full surround sound experience. Prices and running costs Last time we pushed Lucid on right-hand drive production we were told the company was keen to do it but had other priorities. We sincerely hope those priorities ease soon as the Gravity (and the Lucid Air for that matter) are both brilliant cars that would find favour with UK luxury EV buyers. In the US the Grand Touring model we drove costs $94,900. We'd expect that to translate to around £90,000 rather than the current conversion of £70,800, which would have made the Gravity an absolute steal, although tariffs might come into play, too. A Touring model is expected to land in the US later in the year. Order books are now open for that model with a price of $79,900 (£59,800). What's just as impressive as those prices is the efficiency on offer, with a claimed 450 mile range for the Grand Touring Gravity. FAQs How long does it take to charge? If you can find a fast enough charger, the Lucid Gravity will charge at up to 400kW, being able to add 200 miles in just 11 minutes. How much does it cost - is it worth it? The Lucid Gravity is excellent value in the US with the Touring version coming later in 2025 for $79,900 (£59,800). Even the bigger battery Grand Touring is good value at $94,900 (£70,800) Does Lucid replace batteries for free? Lucid offers an eight-year warranty that covers the battery for up to 100,000 miles when it should retain at least 70 per cent of its capacity. The verdict: Lucid Gravity Lucid says it has other priorities before making right-hand drive cars, but I reckon they're missing a trick. Both the Air and now the Gravity are stunning cars – great to drive and easy to live with – that blend luxury with usability. They'd go down a storm here in the UK.
Globe and Mail
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Down 20% This Year, Is Lucid Stock Finally a Buy?
It's been a wild start to the year for Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) investors. Founder and former CEO Peter Rawlinson resigned and will take on a consulting role. And the company posted record quarterly deliveries, raised capital, strategized around new tariffs, and capitalized on consumers fleeing the Tesla brand. To say it's been active is an understatement. But sorting through all the near-term noise, Lucid finds itself with momentum as its Gravity SUV begins deliveries. Is the electric vehicle (EV) stock finally a buy now? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Setting records You might think with Lucid stock trading 20% lower year to date that financial data coming from the company would be negative, but that isn't the case. In fact, Lucid is coming off five consecutive quarters of record deliveries and substantial progress in gross margins. During the first quarter, Lucid recorded its highest quarterly total in its young history with 3,109 deliveries, a 58% gain from the prior year. There are a couple of other developments that could be weighing on the company's stock. One such development was the announcement that Lucid plans to raise $1 billion in convertible debt, with 5% convertible senior notes due in 2030. Investors often interpret capital raises as a sign of weakness, leading to lower share prices. Another development keeping Lucid's stock price in check is simply its own guidance. Despite setting a record for first-quarter deliveries, management's guidance for revenue of roughly $234 million disappointed Wall Street, which was expecting closer to $250 million. Last but not least, of course, tariff uncertainty within the automotive industry is going to weigh on the stock. While Lucid produces its vehicles sold in the U.S. from within the U.S., the company isn't immune to tariffs slapped on automotive parts that are imported. The upside There might be a little buzz of excitement swirling around Lucid currently. Especially considering that the automaker agreed to take over the headquarters and electric truck factory belonging to the now-bankrupt Nikola. The move will strategically expand the company's manufacturing, warehousing, testing, and development facilities. But beyond its new digs, the company is also just now beginning consumer deliveries of its new Gravity electric SUV. It had previously been filling deliveries for employees, family, and showrooms, among others, but now it's time to accelerate production for commercial deliveries and open the company's addressable market considerably beyond its high-priced Air sedan. Even more intriguing than the Gravity SUV could be the company's next project, an unnamed midsize crossover. Targeting mainstream luxury buyers, the vehicle will cost around $50,000 (excluding shipping) and launch in 2026. Is Lucid a buy? To put it bluntly, investing is risky, and investing in Lucid is one of the riskiest moves you can make. The company is bleeding cash, sells only two vehicles currently, faces intense competition and political uncertainty, and is roughly 60% owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. But the upside is there. Lucid's tech is advanced, its product is high quality, production disruptions are in the past, and a runway fueled by new vehicle launches looks bright. For long-term investors with a healthy appetite for risk, Lucid is worth another look. Should you invest $1,000 in Lucid Group right now? Before you buy stock in Lucid Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Lucid Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $594,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $680,390!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is872% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to160%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Down 20% This Year, Is Lucid Stock Finally a Buy?
It's been a wild start to the year for Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) investors. Founder and former CEO Peter Rawlinson resigned and will take on a consulting role. And the company posted record quarterly deliveries, raised capital, strategized around new tariffs, and capitalized on consumers fleeing the Tesla brand. To say it's been active is an understatement. But sorting through all the near-term noise, Lucid finds itself with momentum as its Gravity SUV begins deliveries. Is the electric vehicle (EV) stock finally a buy now? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » You might think with Lucid stock trading 20% lower year to date that financial data coming from the company would be negative, but that isn't the case. In fact, Lucid is coming off five consecutive quarters of record deliveries and substantial progress in gross margins. During the first quarter, Lucid recorded its highest quarterly total in its young history with 3,109 deliveries, a 58% gain from the prior year. There are a couple of other developments that could be weighing on the company's stock. One such development was the announcement that Lucid plans to raise $1 billion in convertible debt, with 5% convertible senior notes due in 2030. Investors often interpret capital raises as a sign of weakness, leading to lower share prices. Another development keeping Lucid's stock price in check is simply its own guidance. Despite setting a record for first-quarter deliveries, management's guidance for revenue of roughly $234 million disappointed Wall Street, which was expecting closer to $250 million. Last but not least, of course, tariff uncertainty within the automotive industry is going to weigh on the stock. While Lucid produces its vehicles sold in the U.S. from within the U.S., the company isn't immune to tariffs slapped on automotive parts that are imported. There might be a little buzz of excitement swirling around Lucid currently. Especially considering that the automaker agreed to take over the headquarters and electric truck factory belonging to the now-bankrupt Nikola. The move will strategically expand the company's manufacturing, warehousing, testing, and development facilities. But beyond its new digs, the company is also just now beginning consumer deliveries of its new Gravity electric SUV. It had previously been filling deliveries for employees, family, and showrooms, among others, but now it's time to accelerate production for commercial deliveries and open the company's addressable market considerably beyond its high-priced Air sedan. Even more intriguing than the Gravity SUV could be the company's next project, an unnamed midsize crossover. Targeting mainstream luxury buyers, the vehicle will cost around $50,000 (excluding shipping) and launch in 2026. To put it bluntly, investing is risky, and investing in Lucid is one of the riskiest moves you can make. The company is bleeding cash, sells only two vehicles currently, faces intense competition and political uncertainty, and is roughly 60% owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. But the upside is there. Lucid's tech is advanced, its product is high quality, production disruptions are in the past, and a runway fueled by new vehicle launches looks bright. For long-term investors with a healthy appetite for risk, Lucid is worth another look. Before you buy stock in Lucid Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Lucid Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $594,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $680,390!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 872% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 160% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025 Daniel Miller has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Down 20% This Year, Is Lucid Stock Finally a Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
