Lucid partners with Wackenhut to expand sales in Germany

Lucid announced its first European retail partner, Wackenhut, to expand EV sales and service in Germany, marking a shift from direct sales to a hybrid model.

Lucid has shifted its European sales model for the first time, signing a retail partnership with Germany’s Wackenhut and moving beyond a purely direct-to-consumer approach.

The agreement will see sales and service operations begin in Baden-Baden on March 30, 2026, followed by Stuttgart later in the summer. Wackenhut becomes Lucid’s first retail partner in Europe and will handle the full lineup, including the Air sedan and the Gravity SUV, while Lucid retains control over pricing and brand positioning.

This marks a significant change from Lucid’s previous strategy. Since entering Europe, the company relied on its own studios in Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Hamburg, supported by service centers and mobile units. The new hybrid model adds independent retail operations to expand reach without fully abandoning direct sales.

The shift comes as Lucid seeks to scale its presence in a market where results have so far been limited. Germany remains a key market, yet registrations in 2025 totaled 183 vehicles, a decline compared to the previous year despite overall growth in the electric vehicle segment.

Wackenhut brings established regional strength to the partnership. Founded in 1948, the family-owned group operates multiple locations across Baden-Wuerttemberg and has experience with premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin. Its facilities are equipped for electric vehicles and staffed with certified high-voltage technicians.

The move also aligns with a broader expansion plan. Lucid is targeting growth from its current European footprint to around a dozen markets and aims to increase its presence across more cities by the end of 2026. In Germany, this includes a gradual expansion from a handful of locations to a wider network through retail partners.

The introduction of a hybrid retail model reflects a strategic adjustment: maintaining control over the customer experience while improving accessibility and scaling more efficiently in a competitive premium EV market.