Tesla Defectors Welcome: Lucid and Ford Fuel the EV Tug-of-War with Bold Incentives

Incentives with an Agenda: Why Lucid and Ford Are Courting Tesla Owners

In today’s electric vehicle market, brand loyalty is no longer just about horsepower, range, or sleek interiors—it’s about identity. And for many Tesla owners, that identity is beginning to shift.

As Elon Musk’s headline-making moves spill out of the tech world and into politics and culture, some Tesla owners—particularly in the U.S.—are starting to feel uneasy behind the wheel. And automakers like Lucid and Ford aren’t wasting any time. They’re rolling out big, targeted incentives, hoping to catch the attention of these drivers who might be weighing whether it’s time to try something new. The message is clear: if you're thinking of jumping ship, we’ve got a lifeboat—and it comes with thousands in perks.

Lucid's Calculated Strike

Lucid Motors, often seen as a luxury alternative to Tesla, is leading this charge. The California-based EV maker is dangling a tempting $4,000 total incentive package in front of current Tesla owners. The offer comprises a $2,000 "Conquest Bonus" and an additional $2,000 trade-in allowance, applicable to buyers of the Lucid Air sedan—Lucid's response to the Tesla Model S.

There’s a caveat, of course. This deal is geographically selective, limited to registrations in 12 states, including California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Plus, the clock is ticking—the program concludes at the end of March.

But Lucid isn’t stopping at Tesla. Owners of premium marques such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, and Audi are also eligible for the conquest cash, broadening Lucid’s net as it aims to fill more garages with its Air sedan before attention fully shifts to its Gravity SUV.

Ford Jumps Into the Fight

Ford isn’t standing on the sidelines. The automaker is now going after Tesla drivers too, rolling out its own set of tempting offers. Think serious discounts on models like the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. It’s a move straight out of Lucid’s and Polestar’s playbook—Polestar, for instance, has dangled up to $20,000 to convince Tesla owners to make the switch.

More Than Just Cars

But there’s more going on here than just price cuts. This scramble for Tesla drivers points to a bigger shift in the EV world: buying an electric car today isn’t just about speed or range. It’s also about what the brand says about you—your values, your style, maybe even your politics. With Musk stirring the pot more than ever, Ford and Lucid are betting that some Tesla fans might be ready for a change.

The Battle Is Just Heating Up

This tug-of-war over Tesla owners is just the beginning. As the EV market matures, expect the competition—and the incentives—to get even fiercer. As one industry analyst put it, “Incentives are constantly being offered, so if you miss this opportunity, there will most likely be other offers in the near future.”

And with Musk's influence extending into realms as disparate as social media and geopolitical debates, expect rival automakers to keep chipping away at Tesla's once ironclad customer base.

Source: The Street