Lucid Motors is seeing a surge in demand from former Tesla owners, with 50% of its recent orders coming from drivers looking to switch brands.
Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, revealed that the company experienced a “dramatic uptick” in orders from Tesla drivers over the past two months.
Meanwhile, Tesla has faced growing backlash fueled by recent actions by Elon Musk. For instance, incidents of vandalism, including shootings at Tesla stores and cars being set on fire, reflect rising tensions within the EV community. Several Tesla owners are now seeking alternatives, and Lucid appears to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
The shift comes as Lucid ramps up deliveries of its first electric SUV, the Gravity. The company recently unveiled the vehicle in New York City, confirming that deliveries will begin by the end of April. The Gravity Grand Touring starts at roughly $95,000, while more affordable Gravity Touring versions will launch later this year at roughly $80,000.
However, Winterhoff addressed concerns about the U.S. tariffs, noting that Lucid manufactures its vehicles in Arizona, which includes key components like battery modules and electric motors.
Tesla’s troubles are showing up in consumer sentiment data as well. A recent YouGov and Yahoo News poll found that 67% of Americans would no longer consider buying or leasing a Tesla. Of those, 37% cited Musk as at least part of the reason, while 20% blamed him entirely. The survey also revealed that 55% of respondents now have an unfavorable view of Musk.
With Tesla set to report its first-quarter deliveries this week, analysts anticipate what could be its worst performance in two years, reinforcing concerns about the company’s trajectory. Meanwhile, Lucid continues to capitalize on the shifting EV landscape, attracting Tesla defectors at a rapid pace.
