Lucid Motors, identified for its award-winning electrical automobiles, has set its sights past simply producing EVs. In response to CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson, the corporate’s bold objective is to turn out to be the “Intel” of the automotive trade.
In a latest interview with InsideEVs, Rawlinson defined that he envisions Lucid evolving from solely an EV automaker to a supplier of each {hardware} and software program. This technique goals to future-proof the corporate whereas additionally enhancing profitability.
“I’d like it to be 20-80,” Rawlinson mentioned, referring to the best break up between manufacturing vehicles and pursuing licensing alternatives. “Twenty p.c doing vehicles, 80 p.c licensing.” He expressed a imaginative and prescient the place, just like the prevalence of Intel processors in private computer systems, Lucid expertise could possibly be discovered embedded in automobiles from varied producers like Honda or Toyota.
Whereas Intel is primarily acknowledged for its processors and chips, Lucid goals to carve out an identical area of interest within the electrical automobile house. By specializing in licensing its electrical powertrains and battery applied sciences, the corporate positions itself as a key provider for automakers navigating the quickly altering automotive panorama, notably as shopper preferences and authorities laws more and more favor sustainable transportation.
Rawlinson anticipates that because the trade strikes in the direction of sustainable options, there will likely be a better demand for the applied sciences that Lucid can present by licensing preparations. He famous, “In a couple of years’ time, there’ll be this realization, ‘Oh my god, we’re going to should go to a sustainable mode of transportation.’ Effectively, then we will likely be in a a lot better place to supply these corporations that haven’t invested within the [EV] expertise our expertise by licensing.”
Lucid has already dipped its toes into the licensing enviornment. The corporate has beforehand provided battery expertise to the Method E racing sequence and at the moment has a partnership with Aston Martin, offering motors, batteries, and an onboard charger for an upcoming electrical mannequin. Nevertheless, this partnership entails Lucid manufacturing the powertrain at its Arizona facility earlier than delivery it to Aston Martin for remaining meeting within the U.Okay. Rawlinson hopes to shift in the direction of a mannequin the place automakers independently manufacture their automobiles however depend on Lucid’s software program to combine the required applied sciences.
“They’d manufacture the {hardware} beneath license of their factories…however [the components] wouldn’t work till the encrypted flash of software program comes from us,” Rawlinson defined. He likened this mannequin to software program licensing, the place corporations like Microsoft earn royalties every time their merchandise are activated.
Although Rawlinson has not outlined a selected timeline for reaching this 20-80 imaginative and prescient, he has tempered expectations. “I’m not making any guarantees,” he said, noting that there aren’t any ensures this plan will materialize.
As Lucid navigates its future, it stays to be seen how efficient this shift in technique will likely be and whether or not the corporate can set up itself as a pacesetter in automotive expertise licensing.
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