Lucid Motors, the California-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is undergoing significant leadership changes at a pivotal moment in its development. The company recently announced the departure of its Chief Engineer and Senior Vice President of Product, Eric Bach, who has been with Lucid since 2015. Bach’s exit marks the end of a notable tenure during which he played a crucial role in developing Lucid’s vehicles, most notably the Air sedan and the newly launched Gravity SUV.
Eric Bach’s career in the automotive and EV sectors spans more than two decades. Before joining Lucid Motors, Bach spent three years at Tesla as Director of Engineering, working closely with Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s former CEO and CTO. Prior to his stint at Tesla, Bach worked for over a decade at Volkswagen, gaining experience that he brought to Lucid’s engineering team. At Lucid, he helped guide the company through its early growth stages, overseeing major vehicle programs and product development. His departure comes at a time when Lucid is striving to establish itself as a serious competitor in the increasingly crowded luxury electric vehicle market.
Bach is not the only executive leaving Lucid. Jeri Ford, the company’s Vice President of Quality, is also retiring. Ford’s role is being filled by Marnie Levergood, who joins Lucid from Scout Motors, bringing fresh leadership to the company’s quality assurance efforts. These changes in the executive team follow a series of high-level departures over the past year. Other notable exits include Lucid’s head of investor relations, Senior Vice President of Operations, Managing Director for Europe, and the Vice Presidents of Software Quality and Marketing. This ongoing turnover points to a period of transition and potential instability within the company's leadership ranks.
In the wake of these departures, Lucid is promoting from within to maintain continuity. Emad Dlala, currently the Senior Vice President of Powertrain and a Lucid veteran since 2015, is being promoted to oversee all of “Engineering and Digital.” Dlala had already received a promotion earlier in 2024, signaling the company’s confidence in his abilities and institutional knowledge. His expanded responsibilities will include managing the integrated engineering and software teams, a critical function as Lucid ramps up product development and digital integration in its vehicles.
The leadership shakeup comes as Lucid approaches its ninth month without a permanent Chief Executive Officer. Peter Rawlinson, the company’s high-profile CEO and CTO, resigned unexpectedly in February 2024, leaving a leadership vacuum. Marc Winterhoff, previously the Chief Operating Officer, has been serving as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. This lack of stable leadership at the top, combined with the exodus of key executives, has raised concerns about the company’s strategic direction and ability to execute its ambitious plans.
These internal changes are unfolding at a crucial juncture for Lucid Motors. After years of anticipation, the company recently launched the Gravity, its first luxury SUV. Lucid has high hopes for