Chief Engineer Claims He Reported a 'Nazi' Slur at Lucid and Was Subsequently Terminated | Carscoops

      Former Lucid engineering chief Eric Bach alleges he was wrongfully terminated after reporting allegations of discrimination.

      He claims that a human resources executive referred to him as a “German Nazi” during an internal investigation.

      Lucid has dismissed his accusations as nonsensical amidst ongoing executive departures.

      Lucid Motors is already facing numerous challenges, such as cash depletion, slow production increases, delays in the Gravity SUV launch, and reports of drivers encountering exorbitant repair expenses. Now, it must also contend with a prominent lawsuit from its former chief engineer, highlighting significant issues within its Newark, CA headquarters.

      Eric Bach, who worked at Lucid for ten years and held the position of Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer, has initiated a federal lawsuit claiming wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation.

      What Triggered the Dispute?

      The lawsuit mentions that a senior HR executive referred to him as a “German Nazi” during an internal inquiry into workplace culture. Bach, who was born and raised in Germany, describes the comment as profoundly offensive and discriminatory.

      According to the legal filing, Bach became aware of the statement in mid-2025, several months into an HR-initiated cultural investigation, which Bach argues was already “tainted by racist beliefs.”

      During this investigation, he asserts that he was stripped of critical duties, such as supervision of Lucid’s electric powertrain division, and was excluded from board meetings.

      After encouraging a colleague to report the remark through proper internal channels, Bach alleges that Lucid acknowledged the comment was made but failed to take adequate action.

      Increasing Pressure

      The situation intensified from there. Bach contends that the company began to pressure him to resign in October 2025 and ultimately terminated his employment on November 5. Lucid’s public statement at that time simply stated that he had “departed,” without revealing any of the underlying issues.

      Lucid has firmly repudiated Bach's claims, labeling them as “absurd” and expressing confidence that the facts will reveal valid reasons for his termination.

      Company insiders have cited ongoing product delays, quality concerns, and execution challenges, suggesting that leadership restructuring was necessary.

      Following Bach's departure, some of his responsibilities were assigned to Emad Dlala, who was elevated to Senior Vice President of Engineering and Digital.

      Timing Complications

      The lawsuit emerges at a challenging time for Lucid. The company continues to work towards increasing production of the Gravity SUV while simultaneously developing a more affordable midsize electric vehicle expected in late 2026.

      The company has experienced significant executive turnover, with former CEO Peter Rawlinson resigning earlier this year and several vice presidents leaving across various sectors of the business.

      Bach’s lawsuit portrays a markedly different version of his situation, highlighting recognition from board members, consistent salary increases, and indications that he was being prepared for a future CTO position.

      He is now seeking damages and a very public jury trial. For a company that prides itself on tranquility and luxury, Lucid's latest developments are anything but peaceful.