CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) - Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has welcomed a new electric auto plant expected to create more than 4,000 jobs in Casa Grande over the next decade, officials said.
Ducey, local politicians and state economic development officials attended the Lucid Motors groundbreaking ceremony Monday at the site north of Interstate 8, officials said.
“I really was proud of winning the decision that they were coming here,” Ducey said. “So much of it was up to Lucid to raise the capital to actually close the deal and be able to begin construction.”
Lucid Motors started construction of its $300 million electric car manufacturing facility scheduled for completion in late 2020, company officials said.
The Air luxury sedan is designed to have a range of more than 400 miles (644 kilometers) and would be able to accelerate to 60 mph (97 kph) in under 2.5 seconds, CEO Peter Rawlinson said.
“This is the first true inter-city car,” Rawlinson said. The car costs “north of $100,000” and the company hopes to create more affordable versions priced below that figure, he said.
The first vehicles are expected to roll out of the plant next December, Rawlinson said, adding that about 15,000 cars are expected to be produced in the first full calendar year.
“Arizona is on a roll, and this hasn’t happened by accident,” Ducey said. “This investment could transform the economy of Pinal County and Casa Grande for years to come.”
Lucid Motors could qualify for about $8 million in grants and about $44 million in tax credits, the Arizona Commerce Authority said.
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