Lucid’s (LCID) first $50,000 midsize EV prototypes appear in Nikola’s former headquarters

Lucid (LCID) is housing the first prototypes of its upcoming midsize EV, which will start at about $50,000, in Nikola’s former headquarters. After opening its new Phoenix Hub facility this week, Lucid is taking another big step toward launching its new midsize platform.

Lucid’s first midsize EV models are coming soon

Lucid celebrated the grand opening of its new Phoenix hub this week, adding over 884,000 square feet to its Arizona footprint.

The new facilities, acquired from Nikola in April, will serve as Lucid’s research and development hub as it enters its next growth stage.

“These new facilities provide Lucid with immediate and substantial capacity for advanced manufacturing activities, as well as developing product innovations and testing components and systems,” Lucid’s senior vice president of operations said at the event (via Arizona Commerce Authority).

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The new hub will support Lucid’s main manufacturing plant in Casa Grande as it ramps up production of its first electric SUV, the Gravity.

It will also be home to the first midsize EV models, which Lucid said will launch with prices starting at around $50,000.

According to FOX 10’s Steve Nielson, Lucid’s first midsize EV models are already inside the new Phoenix facility. During an exclusive interview, Nielson said, “Inside of this building are the first prototypes of a midsize SUV that will be priced under $50,000.”

However, other local media have conflicting reports. The Phoenix Business Journal reported that Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, said the new hub will have “a pilot line where we build the first vehicles for our midsized platform,” but added “that’s currently still in development.”

We got a sneak peek of the midsize SUV last September after Lucid revealed a teaser, showing a blurry outline of the upcoming EV.

Lucid’s midsize platform is slated to enter production in late 2026. The first two models based on the platform are expected to be a midsize electric SUV and sedan, starting at under $50,000.

Former CEO Peter Rawlinson previously said that Lucid’s new midsize EVs are aimed “right in the heart of Tesla Model 3, Model Y territory.” Lucid told Electrek that there will be a third vehicle based on the platform, but didn’t confirm any other details.

For now, Lucid will focus on ramping up Gravity production. The Lucid Gravity GT is available starting at $94,900 with a range of up to 450 miles. Later this year, a more affordable Touring trim will be added to the lineup, priced at $79,900.

Lucid plans to produce 20,000 vehicles this year, more than double the roughly 9,000 it made in 2024. It’s also expanding into new overseas markets, including parts of Europe and the Middle East.