Electric-vehicle company breaks ground on Arizona facility

PHOENIX — California-based Lucid Motors broke ground Monday on an electric-vehicle manufacturing facility near Phoenix.

The $700 million facility in Casa Grande is expected to complete its first phase of construction in late 2020 and begin producing the company’s first car, the Lucid Air sedan.

“The Lucid Air is a cutting-edge electric vehicle designed, engineered, and destined for manufacture entirely in America,” CEO Peter Rawlinson said in a press release.

“We are proud to be moving forward on our commitment to manufacturing the Lucid Air in Casa Grande.”

Arizona’s business environment is second to none — and that’s all thanks to innovators like @Lucid_Motors. It is an honor to join Sonora Gov. @ClaudiaPavlovic and Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland for the groundbreaking of Lucid Motors’ facility. @cgazgov @azcommerce pic.twitter.com/fuQslbg8dS

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 2, 2019

The car is expected to have a range of over 400 miles and be able to accelerate to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds.

Those interested in buying the Lucid Air can reserve the car for a $2,500 refundable deposit. The vehicles are expected to sell for upwards of $100,000.

The company considered 60 sites in 13 states before choosing the Pinal County location, according to the release.

It chose Arizona based on its “business climate, infrastructure, talent, geographic location and the automotive supply chain in the Arizona-Sonora region,” the release stated.

The company has faced delays since plans for the facility were announced in 2016. Production was initially expected to begin last year.

Lucid Motors plans to create 4,800 direct and indirect jobs by 2029.