Lucid Motors Faces Legal Challenge: Former Chief Engineer Alleges Discrimination and Wrongful Termination
Eric Bach, the former Chief Engineer and Senior Vice President of Product at Lucid Motors, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the electric vehicle manufacturer, alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation. The lawsuit, filed on December 8, 2025, in the Northern District of California, claims that Bach was unjustly stripped of his responsibilities and subsequently dismissed due to his German heritage.
Allegations of Discrimination
Bach’s complaint centers on an incident where a senior Human Resources executive at Lucid Motors allegedly referred to him as a German Nazi. This derogatory remark, according to Bach, was part of a broader pattern of discriminatory behavior within the company. He asserts that his German nationality became a focal point during an internal investigation into the company’s workplace culture, leading to his demotion and eventual termination.
Timeline of Events
In early 2025, Lucid Motors initiated an internal review of its workplace environment. Bach contends that this investigation was influenced by biases against his German background. By mid-2025, he became aware of the offensive comment made by the HR executive. Encouraging a colleague to report the incident, Bach claims that Lucid Motors confirmed the remark’s authenticity. Following this, he filed an internal complaint against another vice president for similar discriminatory behavior.
The situation escalated in October 2025 when, according to Bach, Lucid Motors attempted to coerce his resignation. When he refused, the company terminated his employment on November 5, 2025. Lucid Motors’ official statement on that day merely noted his departure, omitting any details regarding the circumstances.
Lucid Motors’ Response and Company Climate
As of now, Lucid Motors has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The company is navigating a challenging period, striving to increase production of its second vehicle, the Gravity SUV, while developing a more affordable midsize platform set to launch in late 2026.
The company has also experienced significant executive turnover. Notably, on the same day as Bach’s termination, the Vice President of Engineering departed. Earlier in February 2025, CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson resigned unexpectedly, and the company has yet to appoint a permanent successor. Additionally, the past year has seen the departure of the head of investor relations, Senior Vice President of Operations, Managing Director for Europe, and Vice Presidents of Software Quality and Marketing.
Bach’s Tenure and Contributions
Eric Bach joined Lucid Motors in 2015, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Tesla and Volkswagen. At Lucid, he was instrumental in overseeing hardware engineering, product management, and corporate planning. Before the internal investigation, Bach claims he was on an upward trajectory within the company. He alleges that Chairman Turqi Alnowaiser commended his dedication and expressed a desire for continued collaboration. Furthermore, board member Andrew Liveris reportedly indicated that the Chief Technology Officer position was yours to lose and suggested that Bach could eventually ascend to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Internal Investigation and Its Aftermath
The internal investigation into Lucid Motors’ workplace culture began in late 2024. Bach contends that this probe was tainted by HR’s racist beliefs, leading to a significant reduction in his responsibilities. He was informed that he contributed to a poor company culture, resulting in the loss of oversight of the powertrain team and exclusion from board meetings.
Broader Implications
Bach’s lawsuit underscores the challenges companies face in maintaining inclusive and respectful workplace environments. It also highlights the potential repercussions of internal investigations that may be influenced by biases. As Lucid Motors continues to navigate its growth and development in the competitive electric vehicle market, addressing these internal issues will be crucial for its long-term success.
