Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc., a Gardena-based EV startup, last week revealed a “production intent” prototype of its FF 91 model.

The electric vehicle, built at the company’s plant in Hanford, Calif., will be used for testing and engineering validation, as well as final certification. Production of the FF 91 for sale is expected to commence in the third quarter, reaching 10,000 units a year.

“This iteration is the closest to the FF 91 production model we’ve seen to date,” Matt Tall, vice president of manufacturing, said in a statement. “The FF 91 is expected to be the first ultra-luxury EV to reach the market, with a unique driver and passenger experience.”

The FF 91, with a range of over 370 miles, has more than 14,000 unpaid reservations and will be priced above $100,000.
The EV is designed to be able to identify the vehicle owner by facial recognition, open the door, park by itself and transition to autonomous driving “with an easy update,” once the regulatory authorities give it a green light.

The crossover SUV will “define the FF brand DNA, and this DNA will carry over to subsequent premium mass market vehicles in the portfolio,” Chief Executive Carsten Breitfeld said in a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Faraday Future’s second vehicle, the FF 81, is geared toward the “mainstream luxury segment” and will be manufactured by South Korea-based Myoung Shin Industrial Co. Start of production is expected in 2024.

Faraday went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange last summer via a merger with Property Solutions Acquisition Corp. and raised nearly $1 billion in gross cash proceeds.