For those accustomed to easily sourcing Car Body Repair Parts, stepping into the world of Lucid ownership presents a starkly different reality. Lucid isn’t interested in having owners visit service centers for every minor electrical sensor issue. Their vision is for vehicles to function seamlessly even after electrical components are replaced. However, the current situation is far from this ideal, especially when it comes to obtaining car body repair parts and undergoing repairs.
According to Lucid’s Manager of Body Repair Program Operations, a significant challenge arises from repair shops mistakenly treating EVs like internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with electric motors. Many shops initially worked on Teslas but later withdrew, realizing the fundamental differences. Lucid vehicles are even further removed from the ICE model in their construction and component functionality than Tesla. This divergence significantly impacts the approach to car body repair parts and the overall repair process.
Lucid’s current stance is to restrict work on their vehicles to Lucid-trained personnel for anything beyond superficial tasks like tire changes or dent removals. Even seemingly simple replacements, such as the illuminated “LUCID” logo, necessitate bumper removal and lidar unit recalibration. This recalibration can only be performed at a Lucid Service Center, as even Lucid-certified body shops lack the necessary specialized equipment. Therefore, obtaining the correct car body repair parts and completing even minor cosmetic repairs becomes a complex procedure.
The extent of Lucid’s control is further highlighted by the fact that customer service personnel are instructed not to sell car body repair parts directly to body shops attempting to procure them. All such inquiries are redirected to the Body Repair Program Operations, emphasizing a centralized and controlled distribution of car body repair parts.
Furthermore, even after a Lucid vehicle is serviced at a Lucid-certified body shop using genuine car body repair parts, Lucid mandates a final inspection at a Lucid Service Center. This examination focuses on the electrical and electronic systems before the car is returned to the owner and the warranty is continued. This rigorous post-repair check underscores the critical integration of car body repair parts with the sophisticated electronic systems of Lucid vehicles.
For individuals who enjoy working on their own cars and are used to easily accessing car body repair parts, Lucid vehicles are currently not a suitable option. This situation is unlikely to change in the near future, if ever, given Lucid’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and complexity of their electric vehicles through a highly controlled repair and parts ecosystem.
