Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson knows that more often than not, the EV startup is compared to Tesla. After all, Tesla CEO Elon Musk quickly tweeted that Tesla would be lowering the price of the Tesla Model S when Lucid Motors announced pricing for its entry-level Air sedan. But, according to Rawlinson, Lucid Motors isn’t in competition with Tesla. If anything, it’s Mercedes-Benz and other traditional automakers that this automotive startup is after.

Why Lucid Motors isn’t competing with Tesla

Traditional automakers have been in a rush to launch EV models. Most recently, GM announced models like the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. According to Rawlinson, however, traditional automakers aren’t moving quite as quickly as they should be.

In an interview with Yahoo! Finance, Rawlinson explained, “The traditional automakers are just not rising, stepping up to the plate fast enough. That’s really why Lucid’s come onto the scene, to accelerate this process.”

Rawlinson pointed to what he says is a key metric used to measure electric vehicles: the number of miles traveled per kilowatt-hours. He added, “We’re not seeing high levels of efficiency from these other automakers, Tesla’s right up there. Lucid is surpassing Tesla. We’re getting over 4 and a half miles per kilowatt hour. I’m not seeing anything close to that from these traditional automakers.”

Lucid Motors is taking aim at Mercedes-Benz instead

Rawlinson understands why people compare Lucid Motors to Tesla. Even he will admit that it’s only natural to compare the two automakers. But its main competitor? Well, that’s a different automaker altogether. 

“I would say our main competitor is a car company; I highlight Mercedes Benz in terms of the attributes of Lucid Air. We’re going after S-class Mercedes,” Rawlinson told Yahoo! Finance.

Rawlinson added, “I think it’s really important that we start at a high-end position as a true luxury brand. I’m a great believer that the first product defines the brand in way Tesla model S defined Tesla as a brand.”

Introducing the Lucid Air Dream Edition

Based on the number of miles traveled per kilowatt-hours, Rawlinson says the Lucid Air will be the most efficient EV on the market. But before the entry-level Lucid Air hits markets in 2022, Lucid Motors is launching the Lucid Air Dream Edition, which will go on sale in spring 2021.  The Air Grand Touring and the Air Touring will follow shortly after.

Priced at $161,500, the Lucid Air Dream Edition is expensive. There’s a reason this electric sedan is so pricey, though. With 1,080-hp available at the helm and dual motors driving all four wheels, Lucid Motors says the Lucid Air Dream Edition can reach 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds.

Its interior is nothing short of luxurious either. Inspired by the beaches of Santa Monica, the Lucid Air Dream Edition interior is complemented by wood and metal accents. The Lucid Air Dream Edition also includes high-end features like a Glass Canopy roof, Lucid’s exclusive DreamDrive driver assistance system, and a 21-speaker Immersive Audio System.

Lucid Motors is here to change the game

In the end, Rawlinson told Yahoo! Finance, it’s his “mission and ambition to make sustainable mobility, more widespreadly adopted.” According to Rawlinson, the best way to do that is to make these cars available at more attainable price points, which Rawlinson says Lucid Motors is ready to do.

“And that’s why I’m so pleased that we’re going to bring in the sort of foundation for the whole Lucid Air range, the Air at a more attainable price points in early ‘22 so it can’t come soon enough,” said Rawlinson.