In a significant shift within the electric vehicle (EV) market, Lucid Motors has reported a “dramatic uptick” in orders primarily from former Tesla owners, with this demographic accounting for 50% of the company’s recent orders.
This influx comes as dissatisfaction among Tesla drivers grows, largely attributed to the controversial behavior of CEO Elon Musk. As reported, many Tesla owners feel discontent with Musk’s public persona and company direction, sparking a growing interest in alternative EV brands like Lucid.
Recent developments indicate that the backlash against Tesla is substantial. A YouGov and Yahoo News poll revealed that 67% of Americans would no longer consider purchasing or leasing a Tesla, with many pointing directly to Musk as the catalyst for their decision.
67% of Americans Back Away from Tesla, Blame Elon Musk for Unfavorable Sentiment
The negative sentiment around Musk has intensified, with 55% of respondents expressing an unfavorable view of Tesla’s leader. This growing unrest appears to be influencing purchase decisions, as former Tesla owners actively seek different options in the EV market.
Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winteroff, emphasized this shift during the launch of the company’s first electric SUV, the Gravity, which has a starting price of $94,900.
The Gravity Touring version is set to debut later this year at a reduced starting price of $79,900. Lucid Motors has strategically positioned itself to capitalize on this discontent, with Winteroff noting, “It’s what you mentioned,” referring to the negative perceptions of Musk.
As market analysts anticipate Tesla’s first-quarter delivery numbers to potentially reflect its weakest performance in two years, the situation may worsen for the brand. The company is facing challenges not just from customer sentiment but also from external pressures like recent tariff increases, which Lucid intends to mitigate with its fully U.S.-based manufacturing operations.