Made In Kings County
July 20,2018-
Welcome the the future.
Faraday Future is assembling its first prototype of the FF 91 electric vehicle made in Hanford this week now that they have city approval to take occupancy of their new manufacturing plant. FF Senior VP of Manufacturing Dag Reckhorn says “assembly of our FF 91 prototypes in the most finished part of the Hanford site, is a real step forward.”
The company is working to speed the building of their first”pre-production” car, actually made in Kings County, with its completion possible soon. Meanwhile the plant is a beehive of construction and equipment installation activity.
Plant occupancy approved July 16
All initial construction and safety checks at the remodeled, one million square foot plant, were given the green light by city building inspectors as of July 16 following extensive upgrades and investment in the existing site.
At a July 16 VIP event in Hanford, Faraday Future founder and CEO YT Jia marked the successful awarding of the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) by the city to achieve full production at the Hanford factory.
Also on hand for a facility tour were California State Senator for the 14th District Andy Vidak and Hanford Mayor David Ayers.
Getting the temporary permit for the Hanford site is the latest in a series of significant milestones for the company, holding to the ambitious schedule for start of regular production for FF’s first product, the FF 91, by the end of 2018.
The lease for the 1-million square foot site, the former Pirelli Tire plant, was signed in August 2017, with major cleanup and infrastructural preparation continuing through early June 2018 when the building permit was given and contractor Bernard signed to lead the construction project.
The occupancy permit is the first step in final approval required from a municipality’s building and safety inspectors before a new occupant can fully take over a site or structure, move in, and start their intended activities full-time as a running business. The schedule for reaching this goal in Hanford for FF and the Bernards construction crew has been an ambitious one.
Mayor of Hanford David Ayers say he has seen the prototype being assembled in Hanford as the company plans for a full assembly line of production cars underway by the end of the year.
“I cannot speak more highly of the appreciation we feel here in Hanford to have been chosen as the community in which Faraday Future will produce the world’s most advanced automobile. The commitment Faraday Future has made to Hanford is matched only by Hanford’s commitment to the company. We anticipate a long and mutually-beneficial relationship.”
Ayers says so far employees at the Hanford plant “are high-tech specialist from all over the world ”many now looking for homes in the Hanford area. He expects plenty of local hires to follow.
“Workers now are construction ,engineering and technical people” says company spokesman John Schilling. “Like the whole operation – it’s phased and rapidly ramping up.”
Company CEO YT Jia said “The Hanford location is ideal for both Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area for deliveries, among other benefits. City officials and the people of Hanford have been so collaborative, and FF is pleased to bring many skilled jobs and added revenue to the thriving agricultural center of California. The talent here close at hand is impressive.
The demanding process will be worth it says the company, with FF Hanford creating between 1,000 and 1,300 new jobs in the central valley when it reaches full operating capacity.
“It is exciting for me as an entrepreneur to begin with this small step in building my dream of creating the next-generation mobility products that will change the way people view transportation.”
Following the initial temporary occupancy, and as all aspects of construction move ahead, while building the initial prototype cars at the factory, FF Hanford is is applying for the Conditional Certificate of Occupancy (CCO), and then the final Certificate of Occupancy (COO) for the first FF 91s.
The Valley Air Board is expected to issue Authority to Construct (ATC) permits for the installation of the equipment associated with phase II of the electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly plant as well.
Spokesman Schilling says a key issue at the remodeled plant will be to adequately cool the massive facility noting the need to not only keep people cool but chill the sophisticated equipment and electronics that is needed to make the high-tech machines.
FF 91 is an all-purpose fully-connected electric vehicle with an estimated 0-60 mph acceleration below three seconds and an expected range of 300+ miles. “This intelligent robotic vehicle is a 3rd internet living space and the embodiment of FF’s vision to create a shared mobility ecosystem that empowers people to move, connect, breathe, and live freely.”