Heads up — Lucid’s Q3 took a hit, and that can trickle down to us on the road.
Lucid Group just posted a worse-than-expected third-quarter loss. The plug? Sluggish production of their Gravity SUV and a rough trade environment are squeezing their numbers. Translation for truckers: fewer new electric SUVs rolling out means less work in some specialized auto lanes and a slower ramp for EV-related freight. ⚠️📉
Why you should care:
- 🚚 Auto-hauler volumes — If EV makers like Lucid cut production, vehicle moves to dealers and ports drop. That can put pressure on rates and loads for car carriers and specialized flatbeds.
- 🔋 Battery and parts loads — Slower production = fewer battery shipments and fewer high-value parts to haul. That affects backhaul opportunities and those lucrative specialty loads.
- ⚡️ Charging infrastructure — Slower EV growth can stall charger installs in some markets, which means electrification for local fleets might take longer. Diesel trucks remain dominant longer in many lanes.
- 💸 Market ripple — Less vehicle output can tighten work in specific regions (plants, ports, regional distribution), which can push drivers to chase other lanes or drop rates for scarce loads.
Bottom line: this isn’t a blow that hits everyone overnight, but if you run auto lanes, handle specialty EV gear, or depend on steady dealer/pipeline moves, expect more competition and possibly softer pay on those routes for a bit. If you’re planning route swaps or equipment investments (like switching to EV tractors), keep an eye on production signals — slower vehicle builds mean longer payback times. 🔍
What to do: keep your options open, watch load boards in the auto lanes, and check plant/port schedules before buying into new equipment or switching lanes. Stay nimble. 👀
Share your take — seen this slow-down at your terminal or dealer lot?
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