Ex-Tesla Production Boss Heads To Lucid Motors

Tesla’s former vice president of production has joined Lucid Motors as vice president of manufacturing.

Peter Hochholdinger had worked with Tesla for three years and was tasked with improving production of the Model S and Model X. Additionally, he was responsible for creating a cost-effective manufacturing program for the high-selling Model 3 sedan and will be put to work at Lucid by bringing its Air luxury sedan, and other future models, to the market.

Also Read: Lucid Motors Receives Billion Dollar Investment From Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund

The Lucid Air was unveiled towards the end of 2016 and has been tested around the world but so far, has yet to be shown off in production guise as its market launch was pushed back from 2018 to 2020.

While such a delay could be viewed as bad news, Lucid does have the money behind it to make the Air a reality in the not too distant future. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund agreed to invest $1 billion into the company in September last year. This money will be used to complete development and testing of the luxury sedan as well as being funneled towards the construction of its production facility in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Two years ago, Lucid said the entry-level Air would have a base price of $52,500 after federal tax incentives and a range of 240 miles (386 km) on a single charge but it remains to be seen if pricing will remain the same when the car launches. What we do know is that the Air will be sold in a number of guises, including a range-topping model with all-wheel drive and up to 1000 hp.