Why Lucid Stock Plunged Today

What occurred

Shares of Lucid Group (LCID -9.73%) fell 9.7% on Thursday following the electric powered motor vehicle (EV) business slashed its production forecast. 

So what

The Lucid Air has been well-obtained by motor vehicle buyers. The luxury sedan’s lengthy variety, quickly charging occasions, and high-close inside capabilities have served it acquire accolades, which include becoming named the 2022 MotorTrend Automobile of the Year. Lucid, in convert, has received far more than 37,000 reservations for the common electric auto that collectively stand for around $3.5 billion in opportunity earnings. 

However the EV maker has been plagued by supply chain bottlenecks that have compelled it to minimize back its output schedule at its producing web page in Casa Grande, Arizona. Management now expects Lucid to develop 6,000 to 7,000 cars in 2022. That is down from its decreased forecast of 12,000 and 14,000 automobiles in February, and its initial estimate of 20,000 in late 2021. 

These creation shortfalls are resulting in mounting losses for the EV upstart. Lucid created an functioning decline of $559 million in the next quarter. The firm also burned by means of far more than $820 million in hard cash in the course of the period. 

Now what 

Lucid is shaking up its management crew to enable correct its ship. It brought in car marketplace veteran Steven David to provide as its new senior vice president of functions. David, who beforehand labored at Stellantis and Chrysler, will oversee Lucid’s source chain, logistics, and producing functions.

“We’ve recognized the principal bottlenecks, and we are using suitable steps — bringing our logistics functions in-home, adding important hires to the government group, and restructuring our logistics and production group,” CEO Peter Rawlinson said.