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Lucid Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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Produced 2,110 vehicles in Q2; on track for annual production of approximately 9,000 vehiclesDelivered 2,394 vehicles in Q2; up 70.5% compared to Q2 2023Q2 revenue of $200.6 millionEnded the quarter with approximately $4.28 billion of total liquiditySeparately, announced a commitment of $1.5 billion today from an affiliate of the Public Investment Fund (PIF)

NEWARK, Calif., Aug. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID), maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2024. The earnings presentation is available on its investor relations website (https://ir.lucidmotors.com).

Lucid reported Q2 revenue of $200.6 million on deliveries of 2,394 vehicles and expects to manufacture approximately 9,000 vehicles in 2024. Lucid ended the second quarter with approximately $4.28 billion of total liquidity.

“I’m very encouraged by our sales and market share momentum we’re experiencing, the benefits we’re realizing from our cost optimization programs, and the excitement that’s been building into the Lucid Gravity launch, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the year,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid. “The tremendous financial value potential our technology enables is now becoming better recognized, and our achievement of a landmark efficiency of 5.0 miles per kilowatt hour, ahead of where we anticipated, is a further proof point of our leadership as a technology company.”

“Our Q2 financial performance reflects the positive momentum of increased sales of Lucid Air and the results of our cost reduction efforts, which contribute to the journey toward improving gross margin,” said Gagan Dhingra, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer at Lucid. “We ended the second quarter with $4.28 billion in total liquidity and remain committed to maintaining a healthy balance sheet to execute on our strategic vision. The additional $1.5 billion commitment by an affiliate of the PIF announced today is expected to provide sufficient liquidity into at least the fourth quarter of 2025.”

Lucid will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 2:30 P.M. PT / 5:30 P.M. ET on August 5, 2024. The live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations website at ir.lucidmotors.com. Following the completion of the call, a replay will be available on the same website. Lucid uses its ir.lucidmotors.com website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

About Lucid Group

Lucid (NASDAQ: LCID) is a Silicon Valley-based technology company focused on creating the most advanced EVs in the world. The flagship vehicle, Lucid Air, delivers best-in-class performance and efficiency starting at $69,900*. Lucid is preparing its state-of-the-art, vertically integrated factory in Arizona to begin production of the Lucid Gravity SUV. The company’s goal is to accelerate humanity’s transition to sustainable transportation and energy.

*Excludes tax, title, license, options, destination, and documentation fees. For U.S. market only.

Investor Relations Contact
investor@lucidmotors.com 

Media Contact
media@lucidmotors.com 

Trademarks

This communication contains trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of Lucid Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries and other companies, which are the property of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “shall,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding financial and operating outlook and guidance, future capital expenditures and other operating expenses, ability to control costs, expectations and timing related to commercial product launches, including the Lucid Gravity SUV and Midsize program, production and delivery volumes, expectations regarding market opportunities and demand for Lucid’s products, the range and performance of Lucid’s vehicles, plans and expectations regarding the Lucid Gravity SUV, including performance, driving range, features, specifications, and potential impact on markets, plans and expectations regarding Lucid’s software, plans and expectations regarding Lucid’s systems approach to the design of the vehicles, estimate of Lucid’s technology lead over competitors, plans and expectations regarding Lucid’s integration with North American Charging Standard, including timing and benefits, estimate of the length of time Lucid’s existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to fund planned operations, plans and expectations regarding its future capital raises and funding strategy, the timing of vehicle deliveries, plans and expectations regarding future manufacturing capabilities and facilities, studio and service center openings, ability to mitigate supply chain and logistics risks, plans and expectations regarding Lucid’s AMP-1 and AMP-2 manufacturing facilities, including potential benefits, ability to vertically integrate production processes, future sales channels and strategies, future market launches and international expansion, plans and expectations regarding the purchase agreement with the government of Saudi Arabia, including the total number of vehicles that may be purchased under the agreement, expected order quantities, and the quantity and timing of vehicle deliveries, Lucid’s ability to grow its brand awareness, the potential success of Lucid’s direct-to-consumer sales strategy and future vehicle programs, potential automotive partnerships, including plans and expectations regarding Lucid’s strategic technology arrangement with Aston Martin, and the promise of Lucid’s technology. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of Lucid’s management. These forward-looking statements are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from these forward-looking statements. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Lucid. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions, including government closures of banks and liquidity concerns at other financial institutions, a potential global economic recession or other downturn and global conflicts or other geopolitical events; risks related to changes in overall demand for Lucid’s products and services and cancellation of orders for Lucid’s vehicles; risks related to prices and availability of commodities, Lucid’s supply chain, logistics, inventory management and quality control, and Lucid’s ability to complete the tooling of its manufacturing facilities over time and scale production of the Lucid Air and other vehicles; risks related to the uncertainty of Lucid’s projected financial information; risks related to the timing of expected business milestones and commercial product launches; risks related to the expansion of Lucid’s manufacturing facility, the construction of new manufacturing facilities and the increase of Lucid’s production capacity; Lucid’s ability to manage expenses and control costs; risks related to future market adoption of Lucid’s offerings; the effects of competition and the pace and depth of electric vehicle adoption generally on Lucid’s future business; changes in regulatory requirements, governmental incentives and fuel and energy prices; Lucid’s ability to rapidly innovate; Lucid’s ability to enter into or maintain partnerships with original equipment manufacturers, vendors and technology providers; Lucid’s ability to effectively manage its growth and recruit and retain key employees, including its chief executive officer and executive team; risks related to Lucid’s 2024 reduction in force; risks related to potential vehicle recalls and buybacks; Lucid’s ability to establish and expand its brand, and capture additional market share, and the risks associated with negative press or reputational harm; Lucid’s ability to effectively utilize or obtain certain credits and other incentives; Lucid’s ability to conduct equity, equity-linked or debt financings in the future; Lucid’s ability to pay interest and principal on its indebtedness; future changes to vehicle specifications which may impact performance, pricing and other expectations; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; and those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of Lucid’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, as well as in other documents Lucid has filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks materialize or Lucid’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Lucid currently does not know or that Lucid currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Lucid’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Lucid anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Lucid’s assessments to change. However, while Lucid may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Lucid specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Lucid’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Business Metrics

Condensed consolidated financial information has been presented in accordance with US GAAP (“GAAP”) as well as on a non-GAAP basis to supplement our condensed consolidated financial results. Lucid’s non-GAAP financial measures include Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders, Adjusted Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders, and Free Cash Flow, which are discussed below.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss attributable to common stockholders before (1) interest expense, (2) interest income, (3) provision for (benefit from) income taxes, (4) depreciation and amortization, (5) stock-based compensation, (6) restructuring charges, (7) change in fair value of common stock warrant liability, (8) change in fair value of equity securities of a related party, (9) change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party), and (10) accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party). Lucid believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to Lucid’s management and investors about Lucid’s financial performance.

Adjusted Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders is defined as net loss attributable to common stockholders excluding (1) stock-based compensation, (2) restructuring charges, (3) change in fair value of common stock warrant liability, (4) change in fair value of equity securities of a related party, (5) change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party), and (6) accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party).

Lucid defines and calculates Adjusted Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders as Adjusted Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders divided by weighted-average shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders.

Lucid believes that Adjusted Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders and Adjusted Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders financial measures provide investors with useful information to evaluate performance of its business excluding items not reflecting ongoing operating activities.

Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash used in operating activities less capital expenditures. Lucid believes that Free Cash Flow provides useful information to Lucid’s management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after necessary capital expenditures.

These non-GAAP financial measures facilitate management’s internal comparisons to Lucid’s historical performance. Management believes that it is useful to supplement its GAAP financial statements with this non-GAAP information because management uses such information internally for its operating, budgeting, and financial planning purposes. Management also believes that presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to Lucid’s investors regarding measures of our financial condition and results of operations that Lucid uses to run the business and therefore allows investors to better understand Lucid’s performance. However, these non-GAAP financial and key performance measures have limitations as analytical tools and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and therefore, should only be read in conjunction with financial information reported under GAAP when understanding Lucid’s operating performance. In addition, other companies, including companies in Lucid’s industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures and key performance measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of Lucid’s non-GAAP financial measures and key performance measures as tools for comparison. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is presented below.

LUCID GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

June 30,
2024

December 31,
2023

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$      1,353,581

$      1,369,947

Short-term investments

1,862,848

2,489,798

Accounts receivable, net (including $77,808 and $35,526 from a related party as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

101,370

51,822

Inventory

509,888

696,236

Prepaid expenses

71,637

69,682

Other current assets

102,164

79,670

Total current assets

4,001,488

4,757,155

Property, plant and equipment, net

3,065,711

2,810,867

Right-of-use assets

212,877

221,508

Long-term investments

687,641

461,029

Other noncurrent assets

204,049

180,626

Investments in equity securities of a related party

51,502

81,533

TOTAL ASSETS

$      8,223,268

$      8,512,718

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$         113,634

$         108,724

Accrued compensation

137,374

92,494

Finance lease liabilities, current portion

7,099

8,202

Other current liabilities (including $79,735 and $92,258 associated with related parties as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

752,779

798,990

Total current liabilities

1,010,886

1,008,410

Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion

76,533

77,653

Common stock warrant liability

19,071

53,664

Long-term debt

1,999,547

1,996,960

Other long-term liabilities (including $148,121 and $178,311 associated with related parties as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

555,923

524,339

Derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

394,100

Total liabilities

4,056,060

3,661,026

REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 10,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023;
     100,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (related party)

651,311

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common stock, par value $0.0001; 15,000,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 2,319,543,729 and 2,300,111,489
     shares issued and 2,318,685,904 and 2,299,253,664 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

232

230

Additional paid-in capital

15,063,541

15,066,080

Treasury stock, at cost, 857,825 shares at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

(20,716)

(20,716)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(4,159)

4,850

Accumulated deficit

(11,523,001)

(10,198,752)

Total stockholders’ equity

3,515,897

4,851,692

TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$      8,223,268

$      8,512,718

 

LUCID GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Revenue (including revenue of $36,470 and $0 from a related party for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023,
     and $87,836 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively)

$         200,581

$         150,874

$         373,321

$         300,306

Costs and expenses

Cost of revenue

470,355

555,805

875,151

1,056,329

Research and development

287,170

233,474

571,797

463,277

Selling, general and administrative

210,245

197,748

423,477

366,518

Restructuring charges

20,228

1,532

20,228

24,028

Total cost and expenses

987,998

988,559

1,890,653

1,910,152

Loss from operations

(787,417)

(837,685)

(1,517,332)

(1,609,846)

Other income (expense), net

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

7,539

42,133

34,593

1,331

Change in fair value of equity securities of a related party

(9,390)

(29,323)

Change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

103,000

103,000

Interest income

54,553

39,525

105,184

79,530

Interest expense

(6,673)

(6,690)

(14,174)

(13,798)

Other expense, net

(5,067)

(928)

(6,074)

(261)

Total other income (expense), net

143,962

74,040

193,206

66,802

Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

(643,455)

(763,645)

(1,324,126)

(1,543,044)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

(65)

587

123

716

Net loss

(643,390)

(764,232)

(1,324,249)

(1,543,760)

Accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

(146,861)

(150,762)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

$       (790,251)

$       (764,232)

$    (1,475,011)

$    (1,543,760)

Weighted-average shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

2,310,360,525

1,912,459,833

2,306,209,050

1,871,884,313

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

$              (0.34)

$              (0.40)

$              (0.64)

$              (0.82)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax

$               (957)

$            (2,999)

$            (4,219)

$              1,036

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(802)

586

(4,790)

586

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

(1,759)

(2,413)

(9,009)

1,622

Comprehensive loss

(645,149)

(766,645)

(1,333,258)

(1,542,138)

Accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

(146,861)

(150,762)

Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders

$       (792,010)

$       (766,645)

$    (1,484,020)

$    (1,542,138)

 

LUCID GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

(in thousands)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net loss

$       (643,390)

$       (764,232)

$    (1,324,249)

$   (1,543,760)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

66,183

55,363

135,021

105,201

Amortization of insurance premium

8,725

10,865

17,314

21,128

Non-cash operating lease cost

7,667

6,448

15,136

12,278

Stock-based compensation

57,013

71,376

120,709

125,195

Inventory and firm purchase commitments write-downs

145,243

276,631

277,541

503,679

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

(7,539)

(42,133)

(34,593)

(1,331)

Change in fair value of equity securities of a related party

9,390

29,323

Change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

(103,000)

(103,000)

Net accretion of investment discounts/premiums

(23,004)

(17,767)

(44,308)

(39,162)

Other non-cash items

6,199

9,113

4,944

11,458

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable (including $7,076 and $0 from a related party for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023,
     and $(42,282) and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively)

25,584

(17,987)

(49,612)

(978)

Inventory

(62,408)

(93,808)

(83,410)

(447,962)

Prepaid expenses

(8,227)

(21,953)

(19,269)

(31,035)

Other current assets

(26,224)

(3,705)

(22,310)

18,488

Other noncurrent assets

(19,023)

(82,421)

(23,392)

(109,758)

Accounts payable

6,714

(29,825)

3,181

(95,999)

Accrued compensation

36,733

(15,866)

44,880

5,679

Other current liabilities

(36,320)

(56,466)

(39,360)

(55,092)

Other long-term liabilities

52,697

16,009

71,722

20,349

Net cash used in operating activities

(506,987)

(700,358)

(1,023,732)

(1,501,622)

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment (including $(28,042) and $(20,497) from a related party for the three months
     ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, and $(34,068) and $(40,918) for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023,
     respectively)

(234,315)

(203,715)

(432,512)

(445,485)

Purchases of investments

(1,339,579)

(1,304,715)

(1,854,127)

(2,147,253)

Proceeds from maturities of investments

1,257,603

941,338

2,287,894

1,982,489

Proceeds from sale of investments

5,000

135,144

5,000

148,388

Other investing activities

(6,024)

(4,827)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(311,291)

(437,972)

6,255

(466,688)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under Underwriting Agreement, net of issuance costs

1,184,224

1,184,224

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under 2023 Subscription Agreement to a related party, net of issuance costs

1,812,641

1,812,641

Proceeds from issuance of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock to a related party

1,000,000

Payments of issuance costs for Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock

(2,343)

(2,343)

Payment for finance lease liabilities

(848)

(1,652)

(1,929)

(3,079)

Proceeds from borrowings from a related party

4,266

4,266

Repayment of borrowings from a related party

(4,266)

(4,266)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

786

2,926

2,311

5,107

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

11,104

15,089

11,104

15,089

Tax withholding payments for net settlement of employee awards

(2,070)

(3,879)

(5,312)

(10,378)

Net cash provided by financing activities

2,363

3,013,615

999,565

3,007,870

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(815,915)

1,875,285

(17,912)

1,039,560

Beginning cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

2,169,510

901,595

1,371,507

1,737,320

Ending cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

$      1,353,595

$      2,776,880

$      1,353,595

$     2,776,880

 

LUCID GROUP, INC.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Adjusted EBITDA

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net loss attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (GAAP)

$       (790,251)

$       (764,232)

$    (1,475,011)

$    (1,543,760)

Interest expense

6,673

6,690

14,174

13,798

Interest income

(54,553)

(39,525)

(105,184)

(79,530)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

(65)

587

123

716

Depreciation and amortization

66,183

55,363

135,021

105,201

Stock-based compensation

58,493

71,376

122,189

126,638

Restructuring charges

20,228

1,532

20,228

24,028

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

(7,539)

(42,133)

(34,593)

(1,331)

Change in fair value of equity securities of a related party

9,390

29,323

Change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

(103,000)

(103,000)

Accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

146,861

150,762

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

$       (647,580)

$       (710,342)

$    (1,245,968)

$    (1,354,240)

Adjusted Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net loss attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (GAAP)

$       (790,251)

$       (764,232)

$    (1,475,011)

$    (1,543,760)

Stock-based compensation

58,493

71,376

122,189

126,638

Restructuring charges

20,228

1,532

20,228

24,028

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

(7,539)

(42,133)

(34,593)

(1,331)

Change in fair value of equity securities of a related party

9,390

29,323

Change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

(103,000)

(103,000)

Accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

146,861

150,762

Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (non-GAAP)

$       (665,818)

$       (733,457)

$    (1,290,102)

$    (1,394,425)

Adjusted Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (GAAP)

$              (0.34)

$              (0.40)

$              (0.64)

$              (0.82)

Stock-based compensation

0.02

0.04

0.05

0.07

Restructuring charges

0.01

0.01

0.01

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

(0.02)

(0.01)

Change in fair value of equity securities of a related party

0.01

Change in fair value of derivative liability associated with Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

(0.04)

(0.04)

Accretion of Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock (related party)

0.06

0.06

Adjusted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted (non-GAAP)

$              (0.29)

$              (0.38)

$              (0.56)

$              (0.74)

Weighted-average shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

2,310,360,525

1,912,459,833

2,306,209,050

1,871,884,313

 

LUCID GROUP, INC. 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures – continued

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Free Cash Flow

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net cash used in operating activities (GAAP)

$       (506,987)

$       (700,358)

$    (1,023,732)

$    (1,501,622)

Capital expenditures

(234,315)

(203,715)

(432,512)

(445,485)

Free cash flow (non-GAAP)

$       (741,302)

$       (904,073)

$    (1,456,244)

$    (1,947,107)

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lucid-announces-second-quarter-2024-financial-results-302214626.html

SOURCE Lucid Group

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New Datingsmatch Survey: 1 in 5 Users Say a Wink Led to a Conversation

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New findings from a Datingsmatch.com user survey show that the smallest gestures are doing more of the communication work than most people realize.

GIBRALTAR, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — People tend to think about opening messages as the moment a conversation actually starts online. The carefully worded introduction, the line someone spent time writing and then rewrote. What the data from a recent Datingsmatch survey points to is something different: for a meaningful share of users, none of that is where things began. It began with a wink.

According to the survey, 1 in 5 users of Datingsmatch reported that a wink was what got a conversation going. One-fifth of respondents, spread across different age groups and usage habits, identified that a single small gesture as the moment something actually started between two people.

What the Datingsmatch Survey Found

The survey was conducted among 5,000 users of the Datingsmatch online communication platform in June 2026, with participants asked to voluntarily share their experiences. The aim was to get a clearer picture of how conversations tend to begin, what it is that people hesitate about, and what eventually prompts someone to go ahead and reach out.

The wink finding was among the more consistent findings from the responses. Among users who described a conversation they felt good about, a notable portion were able to trace it back to a wink being sent first, whether they had sent it or received it. The reverse situation, where someone sent a cold message with no prior signal of any kind, was something respondents described as harder on both sides of the exchange.

That tracks with what broader research also points to. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 55% of online daters felt insecure about the number of messages they received, and 36% felt overwhelmed by incoming contact. What that suggests is not that people don’t want to connect — it’s that the way contact gets initiated matters a great deal for how it lands.

Why Small Signals Carry More Weight Than They Seem

The Datingsmatch survey also looked at what stops people from reaching out when they want to. Uncertainty came up repeatedly. Not knowing whether someone is open to hearing from you. Not wanting to guess wrong and feel like you’ve overstepped.

What respondents described is not a lack of interest in connecting. It’s the absence of a clear enough signal that the other person is open to it. A Datingsmatch wink feature provides exactly that. It’s visible, unambiguous, and low-commitment enough that neither person has to feel exposed by it. For those still finding their footing on the platform, the beginner’s guide to the Datingsmatch platform walks through how these features work and how to use them effectively.

This connects to a 2024 study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking that examined online rejection: ghosting was the most common form of rejection in digital communication, even after substantial prior exchanges. The fear that a message will simply be ignored — without any acknowledgment — is a real barrier. A lower-stakes signal reduces that barrier because the cost of no response feels smaller.

Datingsmatch notes, based on what survey participants shared, that this kind of low-friction signal seems to work differently than most people expect. It doesn’t just start conversations. It seems to reduce the gap that many users described feeling between “I want to reach out” and “I actually did.”

How People Actually Use the Wink Feature on Datingsmatch

Survey responses offered a more specific picture of the behavior. Winks were not being used randomly or as a form of mass outreach. Respondents described using them deliberately, on users they had spent time looking at, toward people they were genuinely interested in but not yet sure about approaching with a message.

Some users described sending a wink as a way of checking whether there was any openness to further contact, without having to commit to a full message exchange in order to find out. Others who had been on the receiving end of a wink said it was something they found easier to respond to, in part because it did not feel like it was asking too much of them too soon. There were also respondents who noted that when a wink had gone back and forth between two people, the first actual message felt less like an approach out of nowhere and more like a natural continuation of something that had already started.

Datingsmatch customer service regularly hears from users that knowing how to start a conversation is one of the things people think about most when they first join the platform. The survey data puts some numbers to what those conversations have long suggested.

What This Means for How the Platform Thinks About Connection

Datingsmatch highlights that findings like these shape how the platform continues to think about the role of small, low-pressure interactions in the overall experience. A conversation that begins with a wink is not a lesser conversation. Survey respondents who traced their most valued exchanges back to a wink described those conversations in consistently positive terms.

The platform sees value in giving users multiple ways to signal interest at different levels of commitment. A message is a commitment. A wink is an invitation. Both have a place, and the data suggests that for a meaningful portion of users, the invitation comes first and matters more than it might look like from the outside.

About Datingsmatch

Datingsmatch is an online communication platform that gives people a range of ways to connect online. The platform is built around the idea that how a conversation starts shapes everything that follows, and that not every interaction needs to begin with a message. Datingsmatch operates globally and continues to develop its communication tools based on how users actually engage with each other.

Media Contact

Elizabeth Fielden, Datingsmatch, 1 5869132511, review@datingsmatch.com, https://datingsmatch.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/new-datingsmatch-survey-1-in-5-users-say-a-wink-led-to-a-conversation-302828676.html

SOURCE Datingsmatch

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Pudu Robotics Showcases Full Product Portfolio at WAIC 2026, Winning the “Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise” Award

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SHANGHAI, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, is showcasing its full portfolio of intelligent robotics solutions at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held from July 17–20 in Shanghai. A key highlight of this year’s exhibition is the offline global debut of the PUDU D7, Pudu’s next-generation semi-humanoid robot. In tandem with its exhibition highlights, Pudu Robotics was also honored with the 36Kr “Most Investor-Attractive AI & Embodied Intelligence Enterprise” Award, recognizing the company’s growing influence in the embodied AI sector and continued confidence from the investment community.

Full Product Matrix on Display: Demonstrating Multi-Scenario Capabilities

Pudu’s comprehensive presentation at WAIC 2026 showcased its complete technical and product layout, spanning service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied intelligence.

The PUDU D5 quadruped robot demonstrates advanced terrain adaptability and autonomous navigation across an on-site obstacle course mimicking sand, gravel, steps, and slopes, simulating autonomous inspections in complex environments such as power substations and industrial parks. Additionally, the D5 performed high-speed “drifting” demonstrations at the booth, reaching peak speeds of up to 5 m/s and showcasing industry-leading mobility and responsiveness.

Making its global offline public debut, the PUDU D7 engaged visitors with several immersive and interactive live experiences. Attendees posed for photos with the D7, instantly receiving unique snapshots taken directly from a “robotics perspective.” The robot also demonstrated advanced multi-robot coordination by autonomously walking and guiding the PUDU D5 quadruped around the booth while seamlessly avoiding pedestrian traffic, vividly illustrating collaborative workflows between different robotic form factors.

Pudu is also exhibiting its mature commercial robotics portfolio, including the BellaBot service delivery robot, the PUDU T300 industrial delivery robot, and the PUDU MT1 Max and PUDU CC1 Pro commercial cleaning robots. Together, these products highlight Pudu’s proven deployments across hospitality, retail, F&B, manufacturing, warehousing, and other industries.

Winning the “Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise” Award Amid Sustained Capital Traction

The “Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise” award from 36Kr arrives alongside sustained backing from major global institutional investors. In April 2026, Pudu Robotics completed a new financing round of nearly USD 150 million, bringing its valuation to more than USD 1.5 billion. This brings Pudu’s cumulative funding to more than USD 300 million.

This strong capital interest is supported by concrete commercial performance. According to the “2025 Global Embodied Intelligence and Commercial Service Robotics Independent Market Research Report” released by Frost & Sullivan, Pudu Robotics accounts for 25% and 23% of the global commercial service robotics market in terms of revenue and shipments respectively, ranking No. 1 worldwide in both categories. Furthermore, Pudu Robotics has maintained a year-over-year revenue growth rate exceeding 100%, with international markets accounting for more than 80% of total revenue for consecutive years. While the broader Embodied AI industry remains in early exploratory phases, Pudu has approached a positive EBITDA, achieving large-scale commercial viability ahead of the market.

From Product Export to Ecosystem Integration: A Blueprint for Global Expansion

According to the Research Report on Chinese Enterprises’ Overseas Expansion from 2025 to 2026 published by the 36Kr Research Institute, Pudu Robotics was featured as a primary benchmark case study for Embodied AI. The report attributes Pudu’s international success to its systematic combination of technological innovation, product capabilities, and localized global operation. Analysts noted that Pudu has successfully transitioned from exporting products to exporting global brand equity and integrated robotics ecosystems, establishing a core reference blueprint for hard-tech global expansion.

By deploying versatile product forms that span specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid forms, Pudu Robotics continues to focus on integrating Embodied AI directly into real-world environments—transforming Physical AI from a technical concept into a practical productivity partner.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the commercial service robotics sector, is dedicated to empowering easier work and better lives through AI and robotics, with a vision of building a global intelligent robotics infrastructure that serves 10 billion people worldwide.

Pudu Robotics has developed key core technologies and components, including robotic joint modules and motion controllers, and has filed more than 1,900 patent applications worldwide. Built on three core technologies—Embodied Navigation, Embodied Manipulation, and Embodied Interaction—Pudu Robotics has pioneered a “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” architecture, establishing a comprehensive product portfolio that includes specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots.

Currently, Pudu offers four major product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery and general embodied AI. Its solutions are widely deployed across industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and property services, healthcare, entertainment and sport, education, and public services.

To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 units globally, with a presence in more than 85 countries and regions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pudu-robotics-showcases-full-product-portfolio-at-waic-2026-winning-the-most-investor-attractive-enterprise-award-302829057.html

SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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Best AI Productivity Tools for Creators (2026): CapCut Recognized for Faster Video and Image Workflows by Software Experts

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NEW YORK, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial intelligence continues to reshape how digital content is produced, with creators relying on AI tools like CapCut to handle editing, asset generation, and repetitive production tasks that once required several separate applications. As these tools mature, software reviews are placing more weight on workflow efficiency alongside creative output.

Best AI Productivity Tools for Creators

Seedance 2.0 – an AI video generation model that creates videos from text prompts and image inputsPhoto to 3D – an AI tool that transforms 2D photos into images with realistic three-dimensional depth and effects

The use of AI has expanded across independent creators, marketing teams, educators, and small businesses producing content for websites, social media, online stores, and digital campaigns. Rather than using AI for a single task, many creative professionals now incorporate it throughout the production process, from generating concepts and visuals to refining finished content. This has encouraged software reviewers to test how well platforms support complete creative workflows instead of evaluating individual features in isolation.

Software Experts has included CapCut among its 2026 selections for AI productivity tools for creators, citing the platform’s collection of AI-powered features that support faster video and image production. The review examined how integrated AI tools can simplify common creative tasks across video editing, image generation, music creation, and visual enhancement.

What Is Driving Interest in AI Productivity Tools?

Content creators are producing more material than ever across short-form video platforms, social media, online stores, blogs, newsletters, and marketing campaigns. A single project may require multiple image formats, several video versions, captions, background edits, and audio, all within a short production window.

Many creators also repurpose one piece of content into several formats. A long-form video may be edited into short clips for social platforms, paired with custom graphics, accompanied by AI-generated music, and published alongside promotional images. Completing these tasks manually often requires switching between multiple editing applications.

This has encouraged software developers to introduce AI features that reduce manual editing while keeping creators in control of the finished product. Instead of switching between several applications, many creators now prefer platforms that support multiple stages of production within the same workspace.

How Does CapCut Support Video and Image Workflows?

CapCut offers AI tools that assist throughout the creative process, from generating visual assets to preparing finished content for publishing.

Among the tools included are:

Seedance 2.0 for generating AI videos from text promptsGPT Image 2 for creating images from written descriptionsSeedream for AI-generated artwork and creative visualsSeedmusic for producing original music from text promptsAI Image Extender for expanding images while preserving visual consistencyPhoto to 3D for adding depth effects to imagesAI Background Removal for separating subjects from image backgrounds with minimal editing

Together, these features support projects ranging from social media posts and marketing materials to promotional videos, educational content, presentations, and visual concepts, allowing creators to complete more production tasks within a single platform.

Why Are Integrated AI Platforms Receiving More Coverage?

Earlier AI tools often specialized in a single task, such as image generation or video editing. Newer platforms are bringing these functions together to let creators complete more of their work without transferring files between multiple services.

This type of workflow can shorten production time while helping maintain visual consistency across different content formats. It can also reduce the amount of time spent exporting files, reformatting assets, or rebuilding projects in separate applications.

As a result, software evaluations are increasingly examining how efficiently creators can complete everyday production work. Instead of concentrating solely on the number of AI features available, reviewers are also looking at how those tools function together during real-world creative projects.

What Did Software Experts Evaluate?

The review looked at AI tools that support practical creative work across multiple production stages rather than concentrating on a single feature.

Areas included in the evaluation included:

AI-assisted video generationText-to-image creationAI-generated musicBackground removalImage expansionThree-dimensional visual effectsEditing tools that support faster creative workflows

The review also examined how these features work together during typical content production rather than evaluating each tool separately. This reflects the way many creators now build content using interconnected AI tools instead of isolated editing software.

What Does This Mean for Creators?

Creative software continues to incorporate AI across more stages of content production, giving creators additional ways to streamline editing while maintaining creative control. As publishing schedules become more demanding, workflow efficiency has entered software evaluations alongside editing quality and creative flexibility.

Software Experts’ 2026 review places CapCut among AI productivity tools supporting faster video and image workflows through its collection of AI-powered creative features. As AI continues to influence digital content production, reviews are placing emphasis on how effectively platforms help creators complete everyday projects from concept through final publication.

To read the full review, please visit the Software experts website.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-productivity-tools-for-creators-2026-capcut-recognized-for-faster-video-and-image-workflows-by-software-experts-302828623.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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