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Six Production And Logistics Executives Have Left Lucid

Lucid reshuffles high-level personnel as it fights to ramp up production.
Image showing semi trucks with Lucid logos on their trailers pulling away from a loading depot.

Six high-level executives have departed from Lucid in recent weeks according to a recent report by Business Insider. The six production executives, who have either left Lucid for other companies or been fired, include Lucid's former VP of Global Manufacturing and the head of operations at AMP-1 in Arizona.

Citing current and former Lucid employees who remain anonymous, Business Insider reports that the following executives have left as Lucid pushes to bring production numbers up:

  • VP of global manufacturing Peter Hochholdinger
  • Head of Arizona operations Mike Boike
  • VP of programs Ralph Jakobs
  • Senior manager, logistics engineering Chris Barber
  • Director of operational excellence Keith Champion
  • Head of new product introduction, program management David Peel

Steven David's Reshuffle
Over at the Lucid Insider Blog, Barry Schwartz breaks down the departures and attributes them to Lucid hiring Steven David, announced in early August, to the newly created Sr. VP of Operations position.

"Peter Hochholdinger is not surprising, being that his role was taken over by Nicolas Minbiole in May after the recall issue. Ralph Jakobs we knew about and reported on in July left the company quietly. Mike Boike has been with Lucid for over six years and for the past year-plus as the Head of Arizona operations. David Peel left Lucid in August 2022 to work down the block at the truck EV startup, Nikola Motor Corporation, Peel was the Head of new product introduction, and program management. Chris Barber was at Lucid for less than two years and was the Senior manager of logistics engineering. Keith Champion was at Lucid for about three years and was the Director of operational excellence."

Image of a black Lucid Air moving along the production line at AMP-1.

Opinions on the news vary depending on who you ask, with some Lucid doubters pointing to the departures as emblematic of struggles within the company while more optimistic voices are welcoming the new openings for fresh talent to guide Lucid to larger production numbers and further success.

Related Story: Lucid Is Building 40-50 Cars A Day, Gets A New Buy Rating

Images by Lucid Motors licensed by CC BY 2.0.

James Walker is an Automotive Journalist at Torque News focusing on Lucid Motors. If it's got wheels he's interested, and he's looking forward to seeing what kind of cars the EV revolution brings us. Whether it's fast, slow, new, or old, James wants to have a look around it and share it in print and on video, ideally with some twisty roads involved. You can connect with James on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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