autoevolution
 

Faraday Future Moves Fast, Wants to Test Autonomous Cars in Michigan

Just two years after the name Faraday Future was first heard, the Californian company owned by a Chinese billionaire (aren't they all?) is developing into true Tesla clone, planning the release of electric vehicles that should also have self-driving capabilities.
FFZERO1 Concept 1 photo
Photo: Faraday Future
Of course, the road ahead is still pretty long for this newcomer, but the ambitions are great, and where there is plenty of money, nothing seems to be impossible anymore. The financial strength meant that Faraday Future could lure important executives, engineers, and technicians from other more established names in the market - including Tesla - building its own dream team that is likely to continue expanding.

The company now employs over 700 people in the United States of America, and another 200 worldwide. It also began production on its factory in the Nevada desert, which is expected to be ready by 2018 - presumably the same year the first production vehicles will roll off its line. If Faraday Future turns out to be a flop, it will definitely be a very expensive one for Jia Yueting, the Chinese businessman backing the whole operation.

After its public debut at this year's CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, Faraday Future is now apparently moving forward with its development of autonomous cars. Its test mules have been on the roads for one year now, but the director of the Michigan Department of Transportation said that the company contacted him earlier this year about gaining access to plates for testing autonomous cars on public roads. The Detroit News says that Faraday Future has since applied for three manufacturer plates, even though it's not clear whether they're used for self-driving cars or not.

The media outlet contacted Faraday Future and asked about the purpose of these three plates, and the answer was as vague as you'd expect it to be: the company didn't deny it would test autonomous driving technology, but it didn't confirm it either. If we were to pick one, though, we'd say that not denying something is akin to admitting it. So, yeah, Faraday Future seems like it's biting a very large chunk right now. Let's see if it also manages to chew on it.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Vlad Mitrache
Vlad Mitrache profile photo

"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories