HE LEFT A DREAM JOB AT MAZDA TO BUILD A CAR COMPANY FROM NOTHING | MOTOMAN PODCAST 007

EV Channels Review

This MotoMan podcast features an in-depth discussion with Derek Jenkins, Senior VP of Brand and Design at Lucid Motors. Jenkins shares his journey from leaving a dream job at Mazda to co-founding Lucid, highlighting the strategic decision to launch with a luxury sedan, targeting performance comparable to an M5. He discusses the company's funding challenges, particularly the pivotal decision to partner with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, emphasizing shared long-term goals. The conversation delves into Lucid's brand DNA, the design philosophy behind the Air sedan and the upcoming Gravity SUV, and the company's potential to evolve beyond just automotive manufacturing into energy and autonomous systems. Jenkins also reflects on his personal career highlights, including his role in the ND Miata and Audi A2 designs, and the profound loss of his car collection in the Malibu fires.