Lucid Loses Key Engineering Executive Ahead of Critical Midsize EV Launch

Lucid Motors has lost one of its longest-serving executives just weeks after appointing a new chief executive officer, adding to a period of significant leadership turnover as the EV maker prepares for its next major growth phase.

Emad Dlala, Lucid’s senior vice president of engineering and software, has departed the company months after being promoted to oversee its Engineering and Digital division, creating another leadership challenge ahead of the launch of Lucid’s first midsize electric vehicle.

Lucid leadership changes continue under new CEO

Dlala’s departure came less than two weeks after Silvio Napoli assumed the CEO role, succeeding a leadership team that has undergone several major changes over the past 18 months. Dlala spent more than a decade at Lucid and played a central role in developing the company’s software architecture and vehicle technologies.

His exit follows the unexpected departure of former CEO Peter Rawlinson in early 2025 and the departure of chief engineer Eric Bach later that year. Lucid has also reduced its workforce during the period, including layoffs affecting approximately 12% of employees in February 2026, according to Yahoo Finance.

In a statement, Lucid said Dlala had chosen to pursue other opportunities and thanked him for his contributions to the company. The automaker also indicated it remains focused on streamlining operations and improving organizational efficiency.

Following the change, Vivek Attaluri, vice president of vehicle engineering, and Marc Solsona Palomar, vice president of software, will report directly to Napoli.

Midsize EV launch raises stakes for Lucid

The timing of Dlala’s departure is particularly significant as Lucid prepares to introduce its first midsize electric vehicle, widely expected to be a critical product for expanding the brand beyond the premium Air sedan and Gravity SUV.

The upcoming model, commonly referred to as the Cosmos SUV, is expected to compete in a segment closer to the Tesla Model Y, the best-selling EV in the United States. Success in the midsize category could dramatically increase Lucid’s sales volumes and help improve manufacturing scale.

Lucid has already demonstrated its ability to build premium electric vehicles with class-leading range and efficiency. However, the company continues to face challenges tied to production scaling, profitability, and execution. Earlier this year, Lucid suspended its 2026 production guidance amid supplier disruptions and delivery challenges. During the first quarter, the company produced 5,500 vehicles but delivered only 3,093.

As Lucid ramps production of the Gravity and prepares its next-generation products, maintaining stability across engineering and software teams will likely become a key priority. The company’s updated strategy and outlook are expected to become clearer during its upcoming second-quarter earnings report.

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