US electric vehicle (EV) brand Lucid has confirmed plans to launch in right-hand drive markets starting with the UK, opening the door for a similar move in Australia.
Speaking at last week’s Munich motor show, where the EV brand made its European debut with its large Gravity electric SUV, Lucid CEO Marc Winterhof told Auto Express the new mid-size model currently under development would be sold in the UK.
Mr Winterhoff confirmed that Lucid “will enter the UK with a mid-size platform”, referring to a previously announced entry-level model to slot beneath the Gravity SUV and the Air large sedan.
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Potentially called the Lucid Earth, the new medium SUV is likely to be a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y – Australia’s most popular EV.
It will be one of a number of new EVs based on the same platform, including a mid-size electric sedan to rival the Tesla Model 3, and – potentially – an off-road vehicle.
Mr Winterhoff told Auto Express the new mid-size model family would arrive in December 2026 with a target starting price of less than US$50,000 (A$74,825) in North America, undercutting the base price of the existing Gravity (US$69,900, or A$104,575).
Lucid is likely to prioritise left-hand drive markets led by the US when it comes to releasing any new models.
However, confirmation that the unnamed new SUV will be produced in right-hand drive for the UK – and developed for European markets which have similar safety and road-use certification requirements to Australia – makes importing it and subsequent mid-size models easier Down Under.
In contrast, when asked whether the seven-seat Gravity SUV would be sold in the UK, Winterhoff said: “Right-hand drive requires additional investment. However, we have recently reopened this plan for the Gravity, as right-hand drive applies not just to the UK but a number of other potential markets, too.
“You’ll have to bear with us as to whether or not we go ahead with this.”
If it’s eventually launched in Australia, Lucid would join other luxury EV brands here including Zeekr and Cadillac.
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