THE WEEK THAT WAS...

Car start-up’s money man?

Faraday Future, a mysterious electric car start-up in Gardena, said it plans to sell its f irst vehicle in 2017 and wants to make a $1-billion investment in a factory. The company, which was founded by former Tesla Motors employees, is eyeing locations in California and elsewhere. It has about 400 workers and ties to a Chinese billionaire who may be providing funding.

Trade deal terms released

Details of the Pacif ic Rim trade agreement reached last month were released, setting the stage for what is certain to be a period of intense scrutiny before the deal comes up for a f inal vote in Congress as soon as next year. The text of the Trans-Pacif ic Partnership lists thousands of tariff items that will go to zero or be reduced, including such sensitive products as rice, dairy and sugar.

Sweeteners’ trial begins

In a bitter legal battle between two sweeteners, the sugar industry took to a Los Angeles federal courtroom last week and accused highfructose corn syrup producers of falsely claiming that their product is just as healthful as sugar. Corn syrup producers hit back, arguing that the sugar industry has long engaged in a campaign of misinformation about its product.

O.C. Register’s sale process

The opening salvo in a potential battle for the Orange County Register was launched in Bankruptcy Court, with an attorney for Tribune Publishing, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, calling for an “open sale process” for the struggling newspaper. The move could set up a contest between Tribune and a management-led local ownership group that has expressed interest in the Register.