With competition really heating up in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) is looking to become one of the big names in sustainable motoring. Lucid began trading publicly in July last year, and since then it's seen its stock rise considerably. Up over 90% since its reverse SPAC merger, the company has continued to entice investors as its stock continues to surge.

Even a somewhat concerning Q4 earnings report couldn't slow the stock down as investors, buoyed by the company's announcement of increased vehicle reservations, bought the stock in droves. But just how good of an investment is Lucid stock right now ahead of its Q1 earnings on May 5th? Let's take a closer look.

Bull Case

The first thing to note about Lucid is that it has tapped into one of the biggest growth industries of recent times. EV purchases now account for 26% of new sales in the global automotive market, and the numbers just seem to keep increasing exponentially. As demand continues to grow, consumers will look to disruptive companies like Lucid to follow in the footsteps of auto giant Tesla and pave the way for an all-electric future. 

Lucid boasts a rich history in battery technology, with the firm currently providing batteries for Formula E - the world's premier EV racing series. There's also a wealth of automotive experience within the company's management team, with CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson being of particular note. Rawlinson has been in the industry for over 30 years and was the chief engineer behind Tesla's Model S. Having management with this level of experience will certainly inspire confidence in any would-be investor. 

Lucid also received a boost last November when its first production model, the Lucid Air, was awarded MotorTrend's coveted Car of the Year award for 2022. This marks the first time in the award's history that a company has won the title with its very first offering. The Air's boasts enviable features, such as its energy efficiency, bode extremely well for future sales.

The company currently boasts roughly 20,000 reservations for its Air model, up from 13,000 through the third quarter of 2021. This consumer confidence represents an order book worth almost $1.5 billion and will be music to the ears of any Lucid investors. Q4 will mark the first quarter that the company will report revenue from actual car sales, so its next earnings call will be one that investors will no doubt be highly anticipating.

Bear Case

Lacking the sheer amount of capital behind some of its closest rivals, Lucid could very well fall victim to the global supply chain issues that are wreaking havoc on companies across the world. While CEO Peter Rawlinson stated his confidence in achieving the firm's lofty target of 20,000 cars produced in 2022, he added that "this target is not without risk given ongoing challenges facing the automotive industry, with global disruptions to supply chains and logistics." Investors will be watching closely as the company unveils steps to mitigate these issues over the coming months.

Entering the lucrative EV market also comes with its fair share of competition. Rivian debuted on the public markets this week and quickly rose to become the third most valuable car manufacturer in the world by market value. Other startups such as Fisker and NIO are hot on Lucid's heels, as well as more established auto giants such as Volkswagen and Ford. Oh, and did we forget to mention Tesla?

So should I buy Lucid stock?

Lucid has many of the underlying properties that we like to look for in a stock. It operates in a high-growth market, has excellent leadership, and offers a product that right now seems to lead the market (at least in battery range). Investors would be wise to pay close attention to the company's Q4 earnings call where it's set to finally announce revenue from car sales. Reporting losses of $4.8 billion last year, investors will want evidence that the company has the means to turn a profit before going all in.

Quickfire Round

How much will a Lucid car cost?

The base model is $77,400, with the most expensive "Dream" version setting you back $169,000

Where is the Lucid Motors factory?

Casa Grande, Arizona.

Is Lucid Motors an American company?

Yes, the company was founded in the U.S. and has its headquarters in Newark, California.