Lucid Motors says it plans to expand its technology licensing and supply business following a deal with Aston Martin Lagonda, possibly with more mass-market partners.
Lucid Motors will provide Aston Martin Lagonda with various components, including a rear-wheel-drive powertrain with dual electric motors, lithium-ion battery modules and software to integrate them under an agreement announced this week.
The components will be produced at Lucid’s factory in Casa Grande, AZ, and used in future Aston Martin models.
In an interview with Reuters, Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson (pictured, below left) indicates the agreement with Aston Martin is the beginning of a wider BEV technology licensing and supply business for the company, which was founded in 2007 under the name Atieva by former Tesla Motors Vice President Sam Weng and his business partners, Bernard Tse and Shequpyng Lin.
“It kicks off that wing of the Lucid Group’s business,” he says of the agreement between Lucid and Aston Martin.
Rawlinson says the intention is for Lucid to continue to grow its technology licensing and supply business alongside its own automotive production activities, which includes the Lucid Air sedan.
The initial focus will be on providing high-performance, ultra-high-voltage technology that would not be suitable for the mass market, he says.
Rawlinson confirms Lucid is also looking to move into more mass-market models and is interested in licensing and supplying suitable technology for such vehicles.
“Do we ever want to make a $25,000 car, because that’s what it’s going to take to change the world?” Rawlinson asks rhetorically, adding, “I’m not sure if we want to be in that business, but licensing our tech to a company that could do that makes more sense.”
