June 29th Could Be A Make-Or-Break Day For Faraday Future

EV startup Faraday Future has been plugging away at bringing EVs to market for more than a decade. While it hasn’t managed to bring its futuristic supercars or electric SUVs to mass production, that hasn’t stopped it from trying. Over and over again, with the Model X competitor, the FF 91. Its new Faraday X brand is taking a different approach. And it is about to kick off what it calls “Launch Season” with the reveal of a brand new model called the FX Super One on June 29th.

First FX Model Has An Identity Crisis Already

The invitation to the launch event doesn’t exactly reassure us that the company has figured out what it needs to do to make mass production and find a broad customer base. It first describes the FX Super One as “an affordable mass market” vehicle. But it also calls it “crafted to redefine luxury mobility” and describes it as “more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a lifestyle statement.” Saying it is “designed for families, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, it reimagines luxury mobility.”

There’s a lot going on there. Affordable and designed for celebrities aren’t exactly things that go together. Mass market and exclusivity are two things that are inherently opposed.

But what is the vehicle? Faraday X describes it as “a first-class AI-MPV.” Faraday has described all of its vehicles as “AI”-something, so that’s nothing new. Even before the current rise of generative AI like ChatGPT, Faraday was using the term. It says that its FF aiHyper 6×4 Architecture 2.0 uses AI for the suspension, steering, braking, propulsion, tech, and self-driving systems.

Related

10 Automotive Startups That Went Nowhere

Despite bold and ambitious plans, these startups all had their dreams shattered one way or another.

Faraday’s plan is to build the Super One at its new plant in Hanford, California. The former Pirelli tire plant was first announced as the FF ieFactory California in August 2022. The company said it would be ready to launch the FF 91 shortly thereafter. Google Street View images from April 2024 show an overgrown parking lot with no visible plant activity.

Reveal Set For June 29, With More To Follow

It plans to hold the launch event on June 29. Following that, there will be another event on July 17. That one, the Super One First Online Global Product Launch, will be presented online worldwide.

Faraday Future started the teaser campaign for the Super One in April. It showed some shadowy images, and one of a heavily camouflaged model. Late last year, the company secured $30 million in additional funding to help bring the Super One to market.

Related

American Start-Up Faraday Future Wants A Slice Of The Model Y Pie, Among Others

The startup EV automaker is known for its failed FF-91 electric luxury SUV and legal headaches with its owner.

The automaker said that the FX models will have price tags ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. Though the Super One could still end up above that. Maybe not as far above as the $309,000 FF 91.

We got a ride in the Faraday X prototype model at CES earlier this year. For more of our thoughts on the model and on what Faraday has accomplished, the story is eye-opening.