Lucid Snaps Up Nikola's Facilities and Employees Following Bankruptcy

A neighbor’s misfortune becomes Lucid’s opportunity

Lucid Motors is picking up the pieces of once-hyped EV and hydrogen truckmaker Nikola, acquiring key facilities and assets in Arizona for $30 million. The deal, announced Friday, does not include Nikola’s hydrogen truck business or customer relationships, but it does give Lucid more than 884,000 square feet of additional space, a fully equipped factory, and access to a skilled workforce left in limbo by Nikola’s collapse.

Nikola, based in Phoenix, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February after years of turmoil that included electric truck recalls, cash burn, and the fraud conviction of founder Trevor Milton. While the brand failed to gain traction, its facilities were modern and well-equipped — a perfect fit for Lucid, which was already looking to grow its production capabilities in Arizona.

Lucid adds a factory, a workforce and room to grow

As part of the deal, Lucid is taking over Nikola’s Coolidge manufacturing plant and its former Phoenix headquarters. These buildings are outfitted with high-end development tools like battery testing chambers, chassis dynamometers, and machining equipment.

Lucid’s existing Casa Grande plant — where it builds the high-performance Air sedan and the new Gravity SUV — is just a short drive away, making the expansion logistically simple. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said the purchase is “an opportunity to strategically expand our manufacturing, warehousing, testing and development facilities while supporting our local Arizona community.”

That community support includes job offers to more than 300 former Nikola workers, many of whom have experience in EV manufacturing. Lucid says the new roles will span engineering, vehicle testing, assembly and software — skills that align with its growing product pipeline.

Preparing for the next phase

Lucid, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is gearing up to launch a new midsize vehicle platform aimed at more affordable EVs. With this acquisition, it gains both the space and the talent needed to support that ramp-up.

While Lucid is still not profitable and depends on steady funding, it’s in a far better financial position than Nikola ever was. Industry watchers say the $30 million price tag is a bargain, especially compared to the costs of building a new facility from scratch.

Final thoughts

For Lucid, the acquisition signals confidence, and a clear intent to survive the industry’s current EV shakeout. By expanding its footprint in Arizona, bringing in experienced EV talent and acquiring valuable manufacturing equipment at a discount, Lucid is positioning itself for the next chapter of its evolution.

As demand shifts and the EV market matures, having the infrastructure to scale quickly could give Lucid a competitive edge. While challenges remain — especially on the road to profitability — this move shows Lucid is planning not just to survive, but to lead.