By Jennifer N. Conrad, Managing Editor
It began as a whisper across the industrial corridors of Coolidge and Phoenix—talk of transformation, opportunity, something monumental. In Arizona, where innovation and ambition converge beneath vast desert skies, that whisper has become a resounding declaration.
Lucid Motors, the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer renowned for redefining luxury EVs, has announced a significant expansion. And it’s not happening across the country or the globe; it’s unfolding right here, in Arizona’s own backyard.
Lucid is acquiring Nikola Corporation’s former manufacturing and development facilities in Coolidge and Phoenix, pending court approval. This strategic move adds more than 884,000 square feet to Lucid’s Arizona footprint—space soon to be alive with innovation, energy, and boundless possibility.
But this story isn’t just about buildings or square footage. It’s about people. It’s about momentum. It’s about what happens when vision meets action in a state poised to ascend.
A Bold Move at the Right Moment
Stroll through Lucid’s existing campus in Casa Grande, and you can sense the energy of something extraordinary taking shape. The company is deep into the launch of its luxury SUV, the Lucid Gravity, and is preparing for a wave of next-generation vehicles built on its upcoming midsize platform.
This new acquisition couldn’t be more timely.
“Exciting news for Lucid Motors! We’re thrilled to announce the strategic acquisition of Nikola Motor’s former Coolidge manufacturing facility and Phoenix facility (subject to court approval). This expansion adds over 884,000 square feet to our Arizona footprint, significantly boosting our manufacturing, warehousing, testing, and development capabilities,” said Adrian Price, Senior Vice President at Lucid Motors.
“This acquisition comes at a pivotal time as we ramp up production of the Lucid Gravity and prepare for our upcoming midsize platform vehicles. The addition of development equipment, including battery and environmental testing chambers, will be invaluable.”
Lucid isn’t just gaining space—they’re acquiring speed, agility, and the technological edge needed to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive EV market.
And they’re building on momentum in a state already accelerating. Arizona now ranks 9th in the U.S. for plug-in electric vehicles per capita, with 9.86 EVs per 1,000 people as of 2022. The state is also set to receive $76.5 million in federal funds to establish up to 69 publicly accessible EV charging stations, enhancing the infrastructure to support this growth.
Rebuilding from Within
With every expansion comes the question of who will fill the space. Lucid has answered that question with compassion and foresight.
“We’re also excited to extend offers to over 300 former Nikola employees to join the Lucid team here in Arizona! We’re offering jobs in various positions, and we recognize the talent and expertise these individuals will bring,” Price added.
These aren’t just jobs—they’re renewed opportunities. Positions range from assembly and testing to manufacturing engineering, software development, and warehouse operations. This initiative aligns with Arizona’s burgeoning clean energy sector, which has seen over 18,700 jobs created or supported by major projects announced between August 2022 and August 2023. E2
This isn’t just business—it’s reinvention. It’s what happens when a region invests in its people, potential, and progress.
More Than an Expansion—A Statement
This acquisition isn’t merely about facilities or equipment. It’s a signal—a statement of confidence in Arizona’s role as a national hub for clean tech and advanced manufacturing.
Lucid joins a growing list of innovative companies choosing Arizona for its strategic advantages: an agile workforce, competitive incentives, and a culture of relentless innovation.Arizona isn’t waiting for the future to arrive. It’s actively building it—one breakthrough at a time.
At Arizona Ascent, we’ve observed how bold moves like this don’t just shape industries; they shape communities. They inspire the next generation of builders and dreamers. And they accelerate Arizona’s ascent to prominence.
Powering Forward
Lucid’s expansion exemplifies what’s possible when ambition finds a home in a state ready to rise. It’s proof that the next chapter of clean, connected, luxury transportation doesn’t have to start in Detroit or Silicon Valley—it can begin in the corridor between Phoenix and Coolidge, where innovation rolls off the line and into tomorrow.
So when we say Arizona is on the rise—this is what we mean.
Electric. Expansive. Unstoppable.
