Faraday Future, the troubled Chinese automaker, revealed its new FX Super One electric van. But a lot of talk about AI and LED displays can’t sweep away the company’s past failures.
Ask anyone who’s familiar with EV startups what Faraday Future is, and words like vaporware or severely delayed might come to mind. That’s because, in the brand’s 11-year existence, it has seemingly overpromised and under-delivered on nearly everything it has ever announced.
As reported by Autoweek, it has sold less than 20 of its luxury FF 91 full-size EVs since it debuted two years ago — mostly to investors and celebrity influencers. Last week, Faraday revealed its latest model, the FX Super One, a fresh attempt at finally moving units in the US. FX, short for Faraday X, is a sub-brand by the Chinese automaker aimed at slotting in at a substantially lower sub-$100,000 price point. Its ticket to this corner of the EV market: a luxury MPV designed to, in the company’s words, disrupt the Cadillac Escalade in luxury for-hire transportation. Three seating arrangements are planned for the Super One: a four-seat for maximum luxurious cabin space, as well as a six- and seven-seater. I attended the Super One’s unveiling event and had the chance to briefly ride in the four-seater’s backseat. It was quite commodious and adorned in luxurious leather — definitely fit for frequent Uber Black clientele. Admittedly, it’s a good strategy for an EV. Make the most of its relatively small footprint and save on weight. Families are also one of FF’s target demographics, as are chauffeured professionals who work on the move. However, as far as specs, go, well, there are none. During FF’s lengthy presentation about the Super One, it filed power output, range, battery size, charging rate, etc. under to be determined. This was not long after displaying the largest disclaimer that the world has ever seen. In light of FF being in hot water with the SEC as of late, this makes sense. To sweeten the deal, FF is offering the Super One with a face. No, really, it calls the optional massive LED screen occupying where a grille would be the F.A.C.E. . With the help of AI, owners can broadcast a myriad of different things via this mini billboard. The most useful example is for self-promotion; a visual artist could display some work while parked, and the Super One will even interact with passersby. There could absolutely be some unsavory potential here, too, but only time will tell. There were other points made about AI integration, but they were a bit vague — again, the company might be exercising some caution here. According to Car News China, it’s a rebadged Great Wall Motor Wey Gaoshan, too, which almost certainly helps cut down on development and production costs. At least we know that the vehicle that it’s based on is real and in consumers’ hands. The unveiling was atop a parking garage in downtown Los Angeles and quite the production. A sea of influencers and other personalities were in attendance, and with a beautiful setting sun in the background, the company’s goals were quite clear: cater to an audience that’s in the business of selling vibes. If it can garner interest among this slice of American culture, it could give the company the bump it needs to actually start delivering, in addition to recently getting a healthy $105 million cash injection. But is this enough? It’s deeply ingrained in the American psyche that big, hulking SUVs are the way to go for luxury transportation. A van of reasonable proportions with nice interior materials and some party tricks is fun, but to sell thousands per year — even with an alleged 10,000-plus preorders during the unveiling, and intentions of building the Super One at its Hanford, California, facility to help skirt tariffs — it’s tough to say. FF has a long and storied history of not delivering despite grandiose plans and heavy investment. Like every claim it’s made before, we’ll believe it when we see it.
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