Following an extensive search across 13 states and 60 sites, Lucid Motors has selected Casa Grande, AZ for its electric car manufacturing operation. The facility will bring over 2,000 projected new jobs and more than $700 million in capital investment to the region by 2022, and will be Arizona’s only car manufacturing operation.
Menlo Park, CA-based Lucid Motors selected Arizona based on numerous factors, including business climate, infrastructure, talent, geographic location, and the automotive supply chain in the Arizona-Sonora Megaregion. Casa Grande was one of several locations Lucid’s competitor Tesla Motors considered for its battery-making Gigafactory before selecting a site near Reno, NV.
“The support and engagement from state leadership and the business community in Arizona throughout this process has been incredible,” said Brian Barron, Lucid Motor’s Director of Global Manufacturing. “Arizona’s pro-business environment, readiness of the site, and available talent will allow us to get up and running quickly. We’re very excited to be bringing new jobs and our innovative technology to Casa Grande.”
Development of the site is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2017 as Lucid completes its site planning and permitting processes. Hiring is also expected to begin during 2017. The company will work closely with the state to prepare veterans for jobs and intends to hire a large contingent of veterans into its workforce. The electric cars are expected to be in production in the factory towards the end of 2018.
“Lucid Motors is building the luxury automobile of the future, and we have an opportunity to become the global leader in automotive technology,” said Peter Rawlinson, Lucid Motors’ Chief Technology Officer. “We are confident Arizona is the ideal location to advance our innovations and will continue to provide an excellent platform for our success.”
“Lucid Motors’ expansion into Casa Grande is the latest evidence that Arizona leads the nation in attracting innovative technology companies to our state,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “This project will create thousands of new direct jobs, support many more indirect jobs, and attract new suppliers to the Casa Grande region. I thank Lucid Motors for its commitment to Arizona, as well as Sonora’s Governor Claudia Pavlovich, Senator McCain, Senator Flake, the Arizona Commerce Authority, Pinal County, and the City of Casa Grande for the hard work and collaboration that helped make this happen.”
“Lucid Motors’ announcement today is a testament to what can happen when entrepreneurs and elected officials come together to create new and exciting economic opportunities,” said Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich. “This major investment will generate a steady stream of career opportunities and capital for the Arizona-Sonora Megaregion—a perfect example of the relationship that Governor Ducey and I have envisioned for our two states. I want to thank everyone on our team who worked for months to make this vision a lasting and fruitful reality.”
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