Lucid Motors launched a targeted email campaign on Thursday comparing its Gravity Grand Touring against an unnamed “Leading EV Manufacturer’s Full Size SUV.”
The indirect reference to the Tesla Model X was made just 48 hours after interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said the company views itself as the rightful heir to Tesla‘s flagship models.
The side-by-side comparison, sent to US customers, pits the Gravity Grand Touring at $94,900 against a rival starting at $99,990, listing advantages across every category.
Gravity GT x Model X
The Gravity Grand Touring carries an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles compared with 352 for the 2026 Model X, and produces 828 horsepower against the Tesla’s 670.
Lucid‘s SUV also outpaces its rival on charging speed and acceleration, delivering 400 kW of peak charging power versus 250 kW and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds to the Model X’s 3.8.
The email also mentions features the Model X does not offer, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support — arriving in spring 2026 — an optional head-up display, front seat massage, seatback tray tables, and three-chamber air suspension.
Every specification in the comparison matches the 2026 Tesla Model X AWD, which starts at $99,990.
Lucid’s Takeover
The marketing offensive follows remarks Winterhoff made during Lucid‘s fourth-quarter earnings call on Monday.
When a retail shareholder asked how Lucid plans to capture market share as Tesla scales back its lineup, Winterhoff acknowledged the role Tesla had played in advancing electrification before positioning Lucid as its replacement.
“I would say we take it from here for the Model S, but also for the Model X,” Winterhoff said. “I think we are the natural successor of those two vehicles.”
He added that the company is “seeing an uptake in customer inquiries from Model S and Model X owners” and is “working right now on plans on how to further accelerate that.”
The Gravity Grand Touring, which began deliveries late last year, has seen orders have an average price of “about $120,000,” according to Winterhoff.
The cheaper trim, named Gravity Touring, starts at $79,900 plus tax, title, license, options, destination and other fees.
Tesla Model X
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call on January 28 that production of both the Model S and Model X will end by the close of the second quarter.
The Fremont, California, production lines currently used for the two models will be converted to manufacture Tesla‘s Optimus humanoid robot.
Musk described the decision as “an honorable discharge” for the vehicles that launched the modern EV era, with the Model S entering production in 2012 and the Model X following in 2015.
Tesla does not break out individual sales figures for the two models, but the combined “Other Models” category — which also includes Cybertruck and Semi — accounted for just 53,900 units in 2025, representing roughly 3% of total deliveries.
Dr. Michael Schwekutsch, a former Tesla VP of Engineering who led the development of the Model S and Model X “Raven” powertrain upgrade around 2017, wrote on LinkedIn on Thursday that the vehicles’ demise was a result of chronic underinvestment, not a strategic pivot to robotics.
“Tesla just has not invested enough time and money to keep these great vehicles up to date,” wrote Schwekutsch, who is now Executive VP of Physical Products at Helsing, a European AI defense company.
“I remember when we kept them alive back in the 2017(ish) timeframe by implanting Model 3 technology (project Raven) with a very small investment. Lifting their range to new heights. But after all this was not enough to keep them going.”
“It’s not about robots,” he added. “They just did not sell anymore.”
Lucid’s Output
The company is targeting production of 25,000 to 27,000 vehicles in 2026, with the Gravity expected to account for the majority of output.
Lucid ended 2025 having delivered 15,841 vehicles, a 55% increase over the prior year.
The company posted earlier this week a full-year net loss of $2.70 billion and ended the year with approximately $4.6 billion in total liquidity, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
