Lucid Motors, the electric vehicle manufacturer, finds itself entangled in a legal dispute in Germany, triggered by the absence of a promised software feature in its Lucid Air Dream Edition Range. Notably, this case has attracted attention due to the involvement of Christoph Lindner, often referred to as the “Tesla Attorney,” representing the aggrieved customer.
The concerned individual had invested €218,000 in the electric sedan with high expectations, only to discover that the touted DreamDrive Pro software was conspicuously missing. Lucid had marketed DreamDrive Pro as the “most comprehensive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) available in an electric vehicle,” promising features such as highway assistance with active lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and automatic parking, all claimed to be standard. However, at the time of purchase, none of these features were present, and the vehicle lacked even basic lane-keeping assist functionality, leaving the customer bewildered.
In response to the customer's complaint, Lucid acknowledged the absence of the software and offered a solution involving the delivery of the DreamDrive Pro feature through an over-the-air update. However, they did not specify a timeline for this update. Dissatisfied with this proposal, the customer opted to seek a full refund and terminate the purchase contract.
Under European Union (EU) consumer protection laws applicable in Germany, customers have a two-year window to report defects or missing features starting from the moment of vehicle delivery. Moreover, customers enjoy a 14-day grace period within which they can withdraw from a purchase contract without needing to provide a reason.
Initially, Lindner, representing the customer's interests, had hoped for an amicable resolution to the dispute. However, Lucid's lack of response compelled them to escalate the matter to the court.
Should the court rule against Lucid Motors, the company may be compelled to reimburse a substantial portion of the purchase price and subsequently seek another buyer for the Lucid Air Dream Edition Range. Additionally, compensation for the mileage accrued with the vehicle during this period could also become a factor in the resolution.
