Fisker Automotive signs up 32 dealers in 17 states
by Sebastian Blanco on Mar 24th 2009 at 6:57PM 
Fisker Karma – Click above for high-res image gallery
Running television ads. Taking orders. And now, setting up a network of dealerships. Fisker Automotive is starting to act like a real car company.
The company announced today that it has signed up its first group of 32 retailers. These outlets will be located in 17 states – Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Wisconsin – and one Canadian Province, British Columbia (see the full list after the jump). But Fisker isn't stopping there - the company hopes to have at least 40 dealers in the U.S. signed up by June. Deliveries of the $87,900 plug-in hybrid Karma should begin at the end of this year, and Fisker hopes to sell 15,000 units a year once they get up to full production.
Like the luxury PHEVs themselves, Fisker vows that their showrooms will make efforts to be eco-friendly, with natural and sustainable materials used throughout, and a solar-powered carport available.
Gallery: Fisker Karma
[Source: Fisker]
PRESS RELEASE:
FISKER AUTOMOTIVE RECRUITS FIRST U.S. RETAILERS TO REPRESENT PREMIUM GREEN BRAND
IRVINE, CA - March 24, 2009: Premium green automaker Fisker Automotive has appointed its first group of U.S. retailers to market and service its luxury plug-in hybrid vehicles, beginning with the $87,900, 100mpg Karma sedan later this year. Thirty-two award-winning retailers have confirmed their intent to carry the Fisker marquee. The number puts the carmaker close to its goal of having 40 locations across the country by the end of June 2009.
All Fisker retailers are well-established operations familiar with premium brands, new technology and discerning clientele. Many are family-owned, each is active in giving back to their communities, and all understand the need to offer premium customers a vehicle that reduces environmental impact. A full list can be found at www.fiskerautomotive.com
Fisker Board member Vic Doolan has been instrumental in guiding development of the company's retail network. Doolan led BMW NA and Volvo Cars NA to record sales in the 1990s and 2000s, and in so doing built solid relationships with top retail principals. "Our retail partners are our most important assets," he said. "To our customers, they are the face of the company. For that reason, we've chosen those who will give Fisker owners the comfort and confidence to drive the future."
By keeping startup costs low and not requiring floor-planning beyond demonstrator and display cars, Fisker is able to attract new franchises even in tough economic times. President Obama's recent pledge of $2.4B to support development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery technology is added incentive.
Fisker showrooms will reflect the company's concern for the environment and their vehicles' emission free capabilities. "They will be Eco-facilities, not Ego-facilities," Doolan said. Architecture calls for natural and sustainable materials like wood and textiles. An available solar-powered car port can keep demonstrator vehicles clean, dry, fully charged and ready to go.
Fisker Automotive Retail Network, Charter Members:
Barrett Holdings, Inc. Charles Barrett San Antonio, TX
Bergen Jaguar Dennis Squitieri Bergen County, NJ
Bergstrom Corporation John Bergstrom Wisconsin
Borton Automotive Kjell Bergh, Minnesota
Capitol Cadillac Company Daniel Jobe Maryland
Century Automotive Group George Jones Alabama
The Dorschel Automotive Group Richard Dorschel Rochester, NY
Elder Automotive Group Rob Elder Tampa Bay, FL
Fields Auto Group Dan Fields Illinois
Fields Auto Group Dan Fields Orlando, FL
Fields Auto Group Dan Fields British Columbia
Frank Kent Motor Company Corrie Churchill Fort Worth, TX
H.A. Ott Motor Cars LLC Chip Ott Philadelphia, PA
Jaguar of Great Neck Jack Weidinger Long Island, NY
M2 Motors, Inc. Bernardo Moreno Ohio
Manhattan Motor Cars Brian Miller Manhattan, NY
Marvin K. Brown Auto Center Dave Grundstrom San Diego, CA
O'Brien Auto Group Mike O'Brien Washington
Palm Beach Motor Cars Ltd. Robert Simpson Palm Beach, FL
Patrick Dealer Group Martin Stilwell Illinois
Price Family Dealerships Tom Price San Jose, CA
Price Family Dealerships Tom Price San Francisco, CA
Price Family Dealerships Tom Price Sacramento, CA
Rickenbaugh Cadillac Volvo Mary Pacifico-Valley Denver, CO
Roger Beasley Highline Group David Stein Austin, TX
Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships Ron Tonkin Oregon
Serra Automotive Joe Serra State of Michigan
Serra Automotive Joe Serra Pasadena, CA
Shelly Automotive Group Damon Shelly Orange County, CA
Sullivan Luxury Cars LLC Mike Sullivan Beverly Hills & Santa Monica, CA
Ted Britt Auto Group Raymond Britt Northern Virginia
Warren Henry Automobiles Warren Zinn Miami, FL
ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Fisker Automotive, founded in 2007 by Fisker Coachbuild, LLC and Quantum Technologies (QTWW), is a privately owned American car company producing premium green automobiles. Global headquarters are located in Irvine,
Calif., with Henrik Fisker as CEO. The company is backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Palo Alto Investors and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). More information is available at www.fiskerautomotive.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 7:03PM (3/24/2009)
I thought the way to sell electric cars was to create an upscale Starbucks experience and not actually have any cars on hand to sell?
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jinsei888 7:22PM (3/24/2009)
thank you "Tesla"
Asuka 7:09PM (3/24/2009)
Sexy, sexy car. I hope they follow on with a coupe soon.
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letstakeawalk 7:11PM (3/24/2009)
Check out the Karma S convertible:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-fisker-karma-s-hardtop-convertible-unleashed/
Polarstar 7:38PM (3/24/2009)
That's what the Porsche Panamera (sp?) should look like.
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ken_aisin 8:24PM (3/24/2009)
x 2. The Karma is an eye-candy. The Panamera is an eye-sorer.
Harrison 9:17PM (3/24/2009)
This is awesome! can't wait to see what the dealers would look like.
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Nick 8:43PM (3/24/2009)
A++ for Fisker....a small company that makes beautiful cars.
F-- for the Panamera. Wads of cash but no sense of taste. Butt ugly.
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tekd 8:50PM (3/24/2009)
Wow...I'm kinda impressed that they got so many dealers already...definitely much better execution than Tesla.
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Javanese 9:28PM (3/24/2009)
Am I the only one who is thinking that this could be the DeLorean of the new millennium?
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Chet 9:42PM (3/24/2009)
Tucker Torpedo, anyone?
Toy Yoda 11:12AM (3/25/2009)
Actually, my gut feeling tells me Fisker will be around longer than Tesla. So if anything, I think Tesla is the new Delorean than Fisker.
doc b 9:36PM (3/24/2009)
Chassis #695 here I come.
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why not the LS2LS7? 9:55PM (3/24/2009)
It's so similar in concept to the Volt, I think I'd rather just have the Volt. Sure, you can say this looks better. But this car has an uphill battle trying to match a mass-produced car on quality, even with a higher price. Ask a TVR owner. Ask a Tesla owner.
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letstakeawalk 10:16PM (3/24/2009)
Why not ask a Porsche ownerabout build quality?
The Karma is being built by Valmet Automotive in Finland, the same factory that builds the Cayman/Boxer. Valmet also built almost every flavor of Saab from the 93 to the 9000, including the 9-3 Viggen.
jm99 1:01PM (3/25/2009)
I know this is apparently a minority opinion on this site, but I for one *intensely* dislike the silly mustache grill on this car and have ever since I first saw it. So, I wouldn't even agree that this looks better than Volt. And yes, I would rather pay well less than half the price and just get a Volt instead.
Blake Luttrell 10:34PM (3/25/2009)
Ask a Bentley owner.
the vegas style guy 9:58PM (3/24/2009)
I might start sleeping with rich people. I REALLY want one of these.
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CMDR 4:26AM (3/25/2009)
four doors, porsche should learn how to make a beauty like this
the fog lamps front and back should go, but still, nobody really sees
the rear door frame/handle - excellent -excalibur !
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Richard S. 4:58PM (3/25/2009)
Looks very nice. Put is this way: If I were in the market for a sedan costing close to $100K such as the BMW 750Li or Mercedes S550, I would probably choose the Fisker because:
1)Exclusivity. The 7-Series and S550 sell many copies and thus while nice and imposing do not draw so much attention as a Fisker would.
2)Green credentials. At least in La-la-land (Los Angeles), the "in crowd" would fall over each other to show that they have a lesser carbon footprint.
3)It is just that good looking. Taking aside green-credentials or saving the environment, it looks beautiful and very luxurious.
Perhaps Fisker has created an a new American-luxury brand capable of taking on the Germans.
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