US startup FF's first electric model arrives in China for testing

California-based electric startup Faraday Future said on Monday that a production-intent testing vehicle has arrived in Shanghai for testing and validation, including charging and infrastructure compatibility as well as hardware and software applications.

The FF91 Futurist was completed at a manufacturing facility in Hanford, California, owned by the startup established by Leshi Holding Group founder Jia Yueting in 2014.

Faraday Future said the move validates its "US-China dual-home market" strategy, which involves production and sales in both countries.

"Final preparations and vehicle testing are underway for FF's production-intent vehicles built to focus on the Chinese market," said the startup in a statement.

It expects to start production of a saleable FF 91 Futurist in late March 2023, with deliveries in April. The model's sales will start in China after its deliveries in the United States.

Vowing to compete with brands like Ferrari and Bentley, Faraday Future said the FF 91 Futurist has an industry-leading 1,050 horsepower and a range of over 600 kilometers.

Last month, Faraday Future announced that it will set up its China headquarters in the city of Huanggang, Central China's Hubei province.

This is part of an unbinding agreement the startup inked with the Huanggang government in the third quarter of last year.

FF did not give a specific schedule for the establishment of its China headquarters but said it will be jointly funded by the city government's fund, industrial funds as well as the company. Its global quarters will remain in Los Angeles.

According to the deal, Huanggang is also expected to actively assist FF with its industrial layout in the city and provide the carmaker with both financial support and favorable policies.

China is the world's largest market for new energy vehicles. Last year, sales of such vehicles totaled 6.89 million units and they are expected to hit 9 million units in 2023, said the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.