I’ve to confess that I wasn’t anticipating yesterday’s earnings name from Lucid Motors to be significantly thrilling. The corporate has clear targets: primarily, to ramp up manufacturing of the Lucid Gravity SUV, double total automotive manufacturing, and goal a brand new demographic that needs more room than the Lucid Air sedan presents.
To my shock, throughout the name’s prelude, we discovered that longtime CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson could be stepping down as the corporate seeks a brand new high government.
Here is what we find out about Lucid’s future on Vital Supplies, our morning roundup of automotive and know-how information. We’ll additionally cowl the continuing seek for a brand new Stellantis CEO, and Hyundai’s increasing involvement within the battery sector—although not for vehicles. Let’s dive in.
### 30%: Lucid’s Subsequent Transfer
My colleague Tim Levin reported on Rawlinson’s abrupt departure yesterday, so I will not go into an excessive amount of element right here. It seems the choice was amicable, though Rawlinson was absent from the earnings name, which raised questions amongst buyers.
Through the name, Lucid’s COO and interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, addressed Rawlinson’s resignation. “Peter made the choice that after 12 years, it was a superb time to move the baton. He constructed this firm and a powerful group. After bringing the Air to life and establishing our know-how management, we imagine it is time for a transition,” he defined.
Rawlinson’s tenure at Lucid dates again to the corporate’s earlier days when it was known as Atieva, a reputation acquainted to seasoned EV fans. Initially, the corporate centered on batteries and motors. Over time, Rawlinson performed a vital function in rising Lucid from a small startup to a longtime model with two autos in its lineup, a brand-new manufacturing unit in Arizona, and vital developments in EV vary, charging, and effectivity.
Regardless of these achievements, mainstream success and profitability have confirmed elusive. Whereas the Lucid Air is an distinctive automobile, it has struggled as a luxurious sedan in a market leaning towards crossovers and extra budget-friendly EVs. The Gravity SUV ought to assist deal with certainly one of these challenges, together with the introduction of a brand new class of midsize EVs.
Winterhoff affirmed that Lucid is not going to be making drastic adjustments to its technique. Based on him, the corporate will proceed to deal with growing deliveries and manufacturing of the brand new SUV, managing prices, licensing its know-how, and retaining the brand new midsize automobile on monitor for a 2024 launch. Rawlinson’s resignation occurred on Friday, and whereas the board performed a task within the determination, Winterhoff famous that the priorities of the Saudi fund backing the corporate stay unchanged.
Lucid anticipates producing about 20,000 autos this yr, exceeding the 14,700 autos analysts projected. The corporate’s fourth-quarter income of $234.5 million surpassed the $212 million predicted by analysts.
Rawlinson will stay as a senior technical advisor to the board chairman however is not going to have interaction in day by day operations. An government search agency has been tasked with discovering his long-term alternative, and it appears possible that the corporate will keep its present course till then.
Winterhoff did point out that Lucid plans to undertake a a lot bolder advertising technique this yr. Model recognition has not been Lucid’s sturdy level to this point—not when in comparison with Tesla’s previous or Rivian’s present standing.
### 60%: Stellantis Warns That 2025 Will not Be a Banner Yr
The challenges dealing with the European-American automotive group Stellantis are quite a few. Gross sales have declined throughout virtually all markets, with just one model (Fiat) exhibiting progress final yr. The corporate lags in electrification efforts as properly. Moreover, the earlier CEO, Carlos Tavares, confronted appreciable criticism.
Stellantis can also be looking for a brand new CEO. Discovering somebody able to managing the complexities of 14 numerous manufacturers, from Dodge to Peugeot, might be difficult, main the corporate to warning buyers a few powerful yr forward.
The group has indicated some return to income progress and optimistic money circulation this yr, together with regular margins. Nonetheless, it expects vital enhancements to materialize solely within the latter half of the yr, leading to a drop in inventory costs.
Automakers in Europe, the place Stellantis is the second-largest group, are grappling with excessive prices, sluggish demand, and stiff competitors from China, in addition to assembly stringent carbon laws and dealing with potential tariffs.
The method of appointing the brand new CEO is reportedly properly underway and can possible conclude within the first half of this yr. Beforehand one of the vital worthwhile automakers below Tavares, Stellantis confronted declines in gross sales and inflated inventories in 2024, particularly within the U.S., its most profitable market, as a result of extreme worth will increase that alienated long-time prospects.
Will probably be fascinating to see who Stellantis entrusts with the duty of turning issues round.
### 90%: Hyundai Enters the Robotic Battery Sector
Hyundai is eager to enter the robotics enviornment, significantly concerning battery know-how. The corporate just lately introduced a collaboration with its long-time accomplice Samsung SDI to develop batteries particularly for robotic purposes—an space that presently does not even exist.
The partnership signifies an extension of their battery alliance, which started when Hyundai Motor Co. determined to make the most of Samsung SDI batteries for its next-generation electrical autos. Not too long ago, Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung SDI for the joint improvement of robot-specific batteries at a analysis middle in Gyeonggi Province.
The intention is to create high-performance batteries characterised by greater power density, elevated energy output, and prolonged working time. At the moment, the robotics trade lacks devoted batteries; most robots depend on batteries designed for energy instruments that are not tailor-made for the advanced constructions of robotic programs.
I imagine we’ll see extra automakers leveraging their battery experience in non-automotive sectors, following a pattern many have initiated with power storage options.
### 100%: What Does Lucid Look Like a Yr From Now?
Looking forward to February 2026, the place will Lucid stand? Will the Gravity SUV show profitable this yr? Will the corporate keep on monitor with the Venture Midsize launch? And who might emerge as a superb candidate to guide the corporate? I am curious about listening to your ideas within the feedback.
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