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Commitment and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is, from time to time, subject to claims and disputes arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of any such claims and disputes cannot be predicted with certainty.
Class and Derivative Actions
On December 23, 2021, a putative class action lawsuit alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, against the Company and its former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, its current Chief Product and User Ecosystem Officer, as well as the CFO of Legacy FF, and the Co-CEOs of PSAC (the “Putative Class Action”). On March 7, 2022, the following individuals were appointed as Lead Plaintiffs: Byambadorj Nomin, Hao Guojun, Peihao Wang and Shentao Ye. On the same date, Wolf Haldenstein and Pomerantz LLP were appointed as Co-Lead Counsel. Lead Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on May 6, 2022. On July 5, 2022, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. Following briefing by the parties and a hearing on the motion, on October 20, 2022, the District Court issued its decision, denying in part and granting in part the Company’s motion to dismiss. The court found, among other things, that the plaintiffs had sufficiently pled a claim for violation of Sections 10(b), 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to certain statements made in 2021 concerning Legacy FF’s receipt of 14,000 reservations for the FF 91 vehicle. The District Court also found, however, that the plaintiffs had failed to sufficiently plead a claim with respect to statements made concerning the expected schedule for the production and delivery of the FF 91 vehicle. The District Court’s dismissal was without prejudice and leave to amend the complaint was granted. On January 6, 2023, the plaintiffs declined to again amend their complaint to attempt to reallege the claims dismissed by the District Court. As a result and with the exception of the judicially dismissed claims, the amended complaint that was the subject of the motion to dismiss is the operative complaint to which the Company’s and the other defendants filed answers on February 10, 2023. The Company continues to claim the suit is without merit and has stated its intention to vigorously defend the suit. Given the early stages of the legal proceedings, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the claims.
On March 8 and March 21, 2022, putative derivative lawsuits alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and various common law claims were filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, and were subsequently consolidated. On May 24, 2022, those consolidated derivative actions were stayed pending resolution of the above-referenced motion to dismiss filed in the Putative Class Action. Additionally, on April 11 and 25, 2022, putative derivative lawsuits alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and various common law claims were filed in the United States District Court, District of Delaware. These lawsuits purport to assert claims on behalf of the Company against various current and former officers and directors of the Company. Also, on June 14, 2022, a verified stockholder class action complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against, among others, the Company, its former Global CEO and CFO, and its current Chief Product and User Ecosystem Officer alleging breaches of fiduciary duties (the “Yun Class Action,” discussed further in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”). On September 19, 2022, a verified complaint was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against FFIE seeking to compel an annual general meeting of stockholders. On September 21, 2022, a verified stockholder class action complaint was in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against, among others, FFIE, the Co-CEOs and independent directors of PSAC, and certain third-party advisors to PSAC, alleging breaches of fiduciary duties, and aiding and abetting those alleged breaches, in connection with disclosures and stockholder voting leading up to the Business Combination (the “Cleveland Class Action”), which lawsuit was subsequently consolidated with the Yun Class Action (the “Consolidated Delaware Class Action”) . Given the early stages of the legal proceedings, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the claims.
Additionally, on September 19, 2022, FF Global, an indirect stockholder of FFIE, filed a lawsuit in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware against FFIE, seeking the removal of Ms. Susan Swenson and Mr. Brian Krolicki from the Board. On September 27, 2022, the case was dismissed without prejudice pursuant to an agreement between FF Global and FF Top (the “Heads of Agreement”). Shortly following the execution of the Heads of Agreement, FF Global began making additional demands of the Company which were beyond the scope of the terms contemplated by the Heads of Agreement and pertained to, among other things, the Company’s management reporting lines and certain governance matters. On September 30, 2022, FF Global alleged that the Company was in material breach of the spirit of the Heads of Agreement. The Company believes it has complied with the applicable terms of the Heads of Agreement, and disputes any characterization to the contrary. Such disputes divert management and Board resources and are costly. There can be no assurance that this or any other dispute between the Company and FF Global will not result in litigation. On October 3, 2022, Ms. Swenson and Mr. Scott Vogel, a member of the
Board, tendered their resignation from the Board effective immediately. On October 3, 2022, Mr. Jordan Vogel also tendered his resignation from the Board effective on October 5, 2022 upon his receipt of a supplemental release pursuant to the Mutual Release. On October 28, 2022, Mr. Brian Krolicki tendered his resignation from the Board effective immediately.
Governance Matters
Following the completion of the Special Committee investigation through the date hereof, the Company and certain of its directors and officers have received numerous e-mail communications from a group of self-described “employee whistleblowers” and from various individuals and entities who represented themselves as current investors of the Company. These communications have included various allegations (including, for example, that certain directors have conspired to push the Company into bankruptcy for their own personal gain) and requests for certain organizational and governance changes. The Company engaged an independent law firm to conduct a thorough independent external investigation with respect to these allegations. The independent investigation found that all such allegations have been without merit. In September 2022, certain members of the Board received threats of physical violence and death threats, which the Company has referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities, including state and local police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the SEC, the DOJ and relevant international authorities.
Other Legal Matters
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had accrued legal contingencies of $18.9 million and $16.9 million, respectively, recorded within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities for potential financial exposure related to ongoing legal matters, primarily related to breach of contracts and employment matters, which are deemed both probable of loss and reasonably estimable. For the legal matters involving third party vendors, such as suppliers and equipment manufacturers, the Company recorded an accrual in Accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the amount invoiced by such vendors, which represents the minimum amount of loss out of the range of potential outcomes in accordance with ASC 450-20-30-1.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company settled a legal dispute for breach of lease under which the Company was named a co-defendant, in a civil action case filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Santa Clara by Han’s San Jose Hospitality, LLC, which was seeking damages including unpaid rent, future unpaid rent, unpaid expenses, and unpaid taxes related to the lease for a total of $6.4 million. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company agreed to pay $1.8 million in cash in January 2022 and an additional $3.4 million plus 5% interest in October 2022 and was liable for the remainder of the settlement, in the amount of $1.2 million, in the event the co-defendants failed to make the payment in January 2022. In January 2022, the Company made the initial settlement payment of $1.8 million and was relieved of the liability of $1.2 million. The Company failed to make the $3.4 million and interest payments in October 2022. On October 26, 2022, the plaintiff filed a motion to enforce the settlement agreement in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Santa Clara, seeking no material additional damages. On December 22, 2022, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion to enforce the settlement. As of December 31, 2022, the balance of $3.4 million was included in Accrued expense and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. On January 3, 2023, the plaintiff served the parties notice of entry of the order. On January 19, 2023, the court issued judgment in the amount of approximately $3.5 million and a writ of execution. On February 9, 2023, the Company paid $3.6 million consisting of payment in full for the outstanding judgment and accrued interest. Additionally, the Company made a payment of approximately $0.2 million on behalf of an indemnified co-defendant in connection with money seized from such indemnified co-defendant’s bank account. The Company expects to receive such indemnification payment returned to it upon the release of such seizure.
On January 30, 2023, Riverside Management Group, LLC (“Riverside”) filed a verified complaint seeking to enforce its alleged contractual right to the advancement of all reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, it has and will incur as a named defendant in the Consolidated Delaware Class Action under its October 13, 2020 Transaction Services Agreement with FFIE and Property Solutions Acquisition Sponsor, LLC (the “TSA”), pursuant to which Riverside provided PSAC with advisory services in connection with the PSAC/Legacy FF merger. In addition to seeking the advancement of such costs and expenses, Riverside also seeks an award of its attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in enforcing its alleged advancement rights under the TSA, and has concurrently filed a Motion for Expedited Proceedings, requesting that trial of the action be conducted on a summary basis and commence within 30 days of the motion’s disposition. The Company entered into a Stipulation and Order with Riverside under which it would conditionally advance Riverside the reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs it incurs in defense of the Consolidated Delaware Action, subject to, and in express reservation of, the Company’s right to recover all such fees and expenses following disposition of the Consolidated Delaware Class Action. Given the early stages of the legal
proceedings, the Company is unable to evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome and/or the amount or range of potential loss.
Other than disclosed herein, as of the date hereof FF is not a party to any legal proceedings the outcome of which, if determined adversely to FF, would individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on FF’s business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Special Committee Investigation
As previously disclosed on November 15, 2021, the Board established a special committee of independent directors (“Special Committee”) to investigate allegations of inaccurate Company disclosures, including those made in an October 2021 short seller report and whistleblower allegations, which resulted in FFIE being unable to timely file its third quarter 2021 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, first quarter 2022 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and amended Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-258993). The Special Committee engaged outside independent legal counsel and a forensic accounting firm to assist with its review. On February 1, 2022, FFIE announced that the Special Committee completed its review. On April 14, 2022, FFIE announced the completion of additional investigative work based on the Special Committee’s findings which were performed under the direction of the Executive Chairperson, reporting to the Audit Committee. In connection with the Special Committee’s review and subsequent investigative work, the following findings were made:
 
In connection with the Business Combination, statements made by certain Company employees to certain investors describing the role of Mr. Yueting Jia, the Company’s founder and former CEO, within the Company were inaccurate and his involvement in the management of the Company post-Business Combination was more significant than what had been represented to certain investors.
 
The Company’s statements leading up to the Business Combination that it had received more than 14,000 reservations for the FF 91 vehicle were potentially misleading because only several hundred of those reservations were paid, while the others (totaling 14,000) were unpaid indications of interest.
Consistent with FFIE’s previous public disclosures regarding identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting requires an upgrade in personnel and systems.
The Company’s corporate culture failed to sufficiently prioritize compliance.
Mr. Jia’s role as an intermediary in leasing certain properties which were subsequently leased to the Company was not disclosed in FFIE’s corporate housing disclosures.
In preparing FFIE’s related party transaction disclosures, the Company failed to investigate and identify the sources of loans received from individuals and entities associated with Company employees.
 In addition, the investigation found that certain individuals failed to fully disclose to individuals involved in the preparation of FFIE’s SEC filings their relationships with certain related parties and affiliated entities in connection with, and following, the Business Combination, and failed to fully disclose relevant information, including but not limited to, information in connection with related parties and corporate governance to FFIE’s former independent registered public accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
 
The investigation also found that certain individuals failed to cooperate and withheld potentially relevant information in connection with the Special Committee investigation. Among such individuals were non-executive officers or members of the management team of FF, and remedial action was taken with respect to such individuals based on the extent of non-cooperation and/or withholding of information. The failure to cooperate with the investigation was taken into consideration in connection with the remedial actions outlined below with respect to Jerry Wang, and withholding of information also affected the remedial action taken with respect to Matthias Aydt.
  
Based on the results of the investigation, the Special Committee concluded that, except as described above, other substantive allegations of inaccurate FF disclosures that it evaluated, were not supported by the evidence reviewed. Although
the investigation did not change any of the above findings with respect to the substantive allegations of inaccurate FF disclosures, the investigation did confirm the need for remedial actions to help ensure enhanced focus on compliance and disclosure within FF.
 
Based on the results of the Special Committee investigation and subsequent investigative work described above, the Board approved the following remedial actions designed to enhance oversight and corporate governance of the Company: 
 
the appointment of Susan Swenson, a former member of the Board, to the then newly created position of Executive Chairperson of FF.
Dr. Carsten Breitfeld, FF’s former Global CEO, reporting directly to Ms. Swenson and receiving a 25% annual base salary reduction;
the removal of Mr. Jia as an executive officer, although continuing in his position as Chief Product & User Ecosystem Officer of FFIE. Certain dual-reporting arrangements were eliminated with respect to Mr. Jia, and he is required to report directly to Ms. Swenson, a non-independent director nominated by FF Top. Please see “Risk Factors–Risks Related to FF’s Business and Industry–Yueting Jia and FF Global, over which Mr. Jia exercises significant influence, have control over the Company’s management, business and operations, and may use this control in ways that are not aligned with the Company’s business or financial objectives or strategies or that are otherwise inconsistent with the Company’s interests. Such significant influence may increase if and to the extent the current members of the Board and management are removed and replaced with individuals who are aligned with Mr. Jia and/or FF Global.” Mr. Jia also received a 25% annual base salary reduction, and his role was limited from a policy-making position to focusing on (a) Product and Mobility Ecosystem and (b) Internet, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced R&D technology. On February 26, 2023, after an assessment by the Board of the Company’s management structure, the Board approved Mr. Yueting Jia (alongside Mr. Xuefeng Chen) reporting directly to the Board, as well as FF’s product, mobility ecosystem, I.A.I., and advanced R&D technology departments reporting directly to Mr. Jia. The Board also approved FF’s user ecosystem, capital markets, human resources and administration, corporate strategy and China departments reporting to both Mr. Jia and Mr. Xuefeng processes and controls to be determined by the Board after consultation with the Company’s management. The Company’s remaining departments continue to report to Mr. Xuefeng. On February 26, 2023, after an assessment by the Board of the Company’s management structure, the Board the Board approved Mr. Yueting Jia (alongside Mr. Xuefeng Chen) reporting directly to the Board, as well as FF’s product, mobility ecosystem, I.A.I., and advanced R&D technology departments reporting directly to Mr. Jia. The Board also approved FF’s user ecosystem, capital markets, human resources and administration, corporate strategy and China departments reporting to both Mr. Jia and Mr. Xuefeng Chen, subject to processes and controls to be determined by the Board after consultation with the Company’s management. The Company’s remaining departments continue to report to Mr. Xuefeng Chen. Based on the changes to his responsibilities within the Company, the Board determined that Mr. Jia is an “officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and an “executive officer” of the Company under Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act;
Matthias Aydt, then Senior Vice President, Business Development and Product Definition and a director of FFIE, and currently Senior Vice President, Product Execution and a director of FFIE, being placed on probation as an executive officer for a six-month period, during which period he remained a non-independent member of the Board, which probationary period has since ended;
the appointment of Jordan Vogel as Lead Independent Director; certain changes to the composition of Board committees, including Brian Krolicki stepping down from his role as Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and becoming a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board; Jordan Vogel stepping down from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and Scott Vogel becoming the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board;
the suspension without pay of Jiawei (“Jerry”) Wang, FFIE’s former Vice President, Global Capital Markets, who subsequently notified the Board of his decision to resign from FF on April 10, 2022;
the assessment and enhancement of FF’s policies and procedures regarding financial accounting and reporting and the upgrading of FF’s internal control over financial accounting and reporting, including by hiring additional financial reporting and accounting support, in each case at the direction of the Audit Committee;
 
the implementation of enhanced controls around FF’s contracting and related party transactions, including regular attestations by FF’s employees with authority to bind FF to contracts and related party transactions, for purposes of enabling FF to make complete and accurate disclosures regarding related party transactions;
hiring of a Compliance Officer with the title of Deputy General Counsel (hired in March 2023), who will report on a dotted line to the Chair of the Audit committee, and a Director of Risks and Internal Controls; and assessing and enhancing FF’s compliance policies and procedures;
the implementation of a comprehensive training program for all directors and officers regarding, among other things, internal FF policies;
the separation of Jarret Johnson, FF’s Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; and
certain other disciplinary actions and terminations of employment with respect to other FF employees (none of whom is an executive officer).
As of February 27, 2023, FF is continuing to implement certain of the remedial actions approved by the Board. However, certain of these remedial actions are no longer in effect and no assurance can be provided that those remedial measures that continue to be implemented will be implemented in a timely manner or at all, or will be successful to prevent inaccurate disclosures in the future. Please see “Risk Factors – Risks Related to FF’s Business and Industry – FF is taking remedial measures in response to the Special Committee findings. There can be no assurance that such remedial measures will be successful. In addition, there can be no assurance that such remedial measures will be fully implemented in light of the recent corporate governance agreements with FF Top and FF Global and the recent assessment by the Board of FF’s management structure, including management roles, responsibilities and reporting lines.” However, pursuant to the Heads of Agreement, FF has implemented certain governance changes that impact certain of the above-discussed remedial actions. On October 3, 2022, Ms. Swenson tendered her resignation from her role as both Executive Chairperson and member of the Board effective immediately. In addition, on October 3, 2022, Mr. Scott Vogel resigned from the Board effective immediately and Mr. Jordan Vogel resigned effective on October 5, 2022 upon his receipt of a supplemental release pursuant to the Mutual Release. On October 28, 2022, Mr. Brian Krolicki tendered his resignation from the Board effective immediately. On December 15, 2022, Mr. Lee Liu tendered his resignation from the Board, which resignation was effective on December 18, 2022. On December 18, 2022, Mr. Jie Sheng was appointed to the Board, effective immediately, following the resignation of Mr. Liu. On December 25, 2022, Mr. Edwin Goh tendered his resignation from the Board, which resignation was effective on December 26, 2022. On December 27, 2022, Ms. Ke Sun was appointed to the Board, effective immediately, following the resignation of Mr. Goh. Mr. Sheng and Ms. Sun are designees of FF Top pursuant to the Amended Shareholder Agreement. On December 26, 2022, Dr. Carsten Breitfeld tendered his resignation from the Board, which resignation was effective immediately. On December 27, 2022, Mr. Xuefeng Chen was appointed to the Board, effective immediately, following the resignation of Dr. Breitfeld. On January 20, 2023, Mr. Qing Ye tendered his resignation from the Board, which resignation was effective immediately. Mr. Ye remains a consultant of the Company as an independent contractor until November 18, 2023, at which time both parties will mutually reassess the relationship. On January 25, 2023, Mr. Chui Tin Mok was appointed to the Board, effective immediately, following the resignation of Mr. Ye. See “Management – Governance Agreement with FF Top and FF Global” for more information.
 
Subsequent to FFIE announcing the completion of the Special Committee investigation on February 1, 2022, FFIE, certain members of the management team and employees of FFIE received a notice of preservation and subpoena from the staff of the SEC stating that the SEC had commenced a formal investigation relating to the matters that were the subject of the Special Committee investigation. FFIE, which had previously voluntarily contacted the SEC in connection with the Special Committee investigation in October 2021, is cooperating fully with the SEC’s investigation. The outcome of such an investigation is difficult to predict. FF has incurred, and may continue to incur, significant expenses related to legal and other professional services in connection with the SEC investigation. At this stage, FF is unable to assess whether any material loss or adverse effect is reasonably possible as a result of the SEC’s investigation or estimate the range of any potential loss. In addition, in June 2022, FF received a preliminary request for information from the DOJ in connection with the matters that were the subject of the Special Committee investigation. FF has responded to that request and intends to fully cooperate with any future requests from the DOJ.
Vendor Trust
FF has been involved in litigation with contractors and suppliers when FF failed to make overdue payments due to cash constraints FF faced, certain of which were settled through the Vendor Trust FF established on April 29, 2019. In exchange for contributing accounts receivable to the Vendor Trust, the participating vendors were required to refrain from bringing legal claims regarding any overdue payment and forbear from exercising remedies on any payables tendered to and accepted by the Vendor Trust. FF’s suppliers and contractors holding aggregate past due payables of approximately $116.1 million contributed payables to the Vendor Trust in exchange for interests in the Vendor Trust. Certain FF suppliers and contractors also ultimately received interests in the Vendor Trust related to approximately $8.4 million of purchase orders for goods and services to be provided in the future. During September and October 2020, FF paid an aggregate of $4.5 million to the Vendor Trust, thus reducing the aggregate past due principal payables and purchase orders held by the Vendor Trust to approximately $136.6 million. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Vendor Trust agreed to amend the agreement governing the satisfaction of interests in the Vendor Trust to permit the conversion of the interests in the Vendor Trust to equity interests in PSAC in connection with the Business Combination. In June 2021, FF and the Vendor Trust further agreed to allow the holders of interests in the Vendor Trust to elect to receive up to $10.0 million in cash in the aggregate upon closing of the Business Combination, which would reduce on a dollar-for-dollar basis the number of equity interests to be issued to such holders in satisfaction of their interests in the Vendor Trust. Fifty-three (53) of the holders of interests in the Vendor Trust elected to participate in the $10.0 million cash distribution at the closing of the Business Combination, and the remaining interests in the Vendor Trust were settled through the conversion of interests into Class A Common Stock and payment of cash at the closing of the Business Combination.
The Palantir License
In July 2021, the Company and Palantir entered into a master agreement that sets forth the terms of the Palantir’s platform hosting arrangement which is expected to be used as a central operating system for data and analytics. Palantir invested $25.0 million in the Company through the PIPE Financing and became a shareholder of the Company. Under the platform hosting agreement, the Company committed to pay a total of $47.0 million of hosting fees over a six-year term, $5.3 million of which was paid during the year ended December 31, 2021. No payments were made during 2022. The software is cloud hosted for the entirety of the subscription term and the Company cannot take possession of the software. Accordingly, the Company determined that the subscription agreement represents a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. The Company amortizes the hosting costs on a straight-line basis over the agreement term.
Unconditional Contractual Obligations
An unconditional contractual obligation is defined as an agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding (non-cancelable, or cancelable only in certain circumstances). As of December 31, 2022, we estimate FFIE’s total unconditional contractual commitments, including purchases of inventory, tooling, machinery and equipment as well as items to be used in research and development activities; lease minimum payments and other contractual commitments, totaling $383.6 million, which included $282.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, $33.8 million for the two years ended December 31, 2025, $21.6 million for the two years ended December 31, 2027 and $45.9 million thereafter.

The $282.3 million unconditional contractual obligations for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $243.8 million of open purchase orders. Although open purchase orders are generally considered enforceable and legally binding, some of the Company’s purchase orders gives it the option to cancel, reschedule and/or adjust its requirements based on its business needs prior to the delivery of goods or performance of services and to inspect and reject products, for example, if they do not comply with its specifications. Obligations to purchase inventory and other commitments are generally expected to be fulfilled within one year.