The day that many predicted would never come for Faraday Future has been circled on the calendar by the determined automaker: March 30.
That’s when the EV maker begins production of the FF 91 Futurist at its plant in Hanford, California. However, nothing involving the company with nine lives is quite that simple as the press release announcing the plan notes.
Deliveries to first users will occur “before the end of April, assuming timely receipt of funds from the company’s investors.” The company recently announced it would take the next step toward production courtesy of a $135 million influx of cash.
“This SOP will undoubtedly be our most important historic moment since FF was established. We would like to express our sincerest appreciation and respect to all of those who have stood beside us for their unwavering support,” said Chen Xuefeng (XF), Global CEO of Faraday Future.
“The company now has all of the funding commitments, assuming timely receipt, and all of the equipment needed to build the FF 91 Futurist in place, while working with numerous world-class equipment suppliers to keep FF on track to deliver the vehicle in April of this year.”
Step by step
Faraday Future has been inching toward this day for years, with most observers believing it would never come due to its repeated financial issues.
However, earlier this month, the company sent vehicles to China for its “Product and Technology Generation 2.0 program” aka testing and validation. It was the company’s second evaluation. After all, this is the 2.0, with the Futurist now possessing 26 upgraded system and components.
The company looks to take on the heavy hitters of the luxury segment, competing with Ferrari, Maybach, Rolls Royce, and Bentley as the only next-gen Ultimate Intelligent TechLuxury EV product, the FF 91 Futurist offers a unique and intelligent EV experience with extreme technology and an ultimate user experience, the company claims.
The FF 91 Futurist pushes out 1,050 horsepower, an EPA-certified range of 381 miles, travels 0-60 mph in 2.27 seconds, and possesses “a unique rear intelligent Internet system, and a revolutionary user experience designed to create a mobile, connected, intelligent and luxurious third Internet living space.”
Courting suppliers
As the EV maker begins producing vehicles, it’s going to be looking to add to — provide assurances? — its supplier base. Faraday Future plans to hold the “2023 Faraday Future Global Supplier Summit” the last week of April, inviting its “global partners to witness the historical milestone of the FF 91 Futurist production and delivery readiness along with sharing in the common goal and successes of the company.”
The company expects to reveal some new shared business initiatives including the “FF Industrial Chain Strategic Alliance” and the “FF Supplier Par” at the Supplier Summit, sharing the achievements and benefits of FF’s intelligent electric mobility through industrial chain capital cooperation.
With the introduction and implementation of the “FF Supplier Par” program, FF will unite more closely with global supplier partners to co-create the performance + luxury leadership in the era of intelligent electric mobility, plus create capital value and the potential to share in the company’s joint success.