REPORT: Fisker planning third Karma variant, low-cost hybrid
Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker feels like the automotive world is at the beginning of a renaissance, and he believes now is the first time in 40 years that start-up automakers can compete and even thrive against the established OEMs. Fisker has already began to rage against the machine with the Karma. It looks great, promises terrific performance, and it plugs into a standard socket. The tree-hugging, tarmac-punishing Karma won't even be on the road until 2010, but that isn't stopping Fisker from dreaming big.
According to The Oakland Press, Fisker is looking to produce a lower cost, high volume plug-in that would likely thrust the Fisker brand into the mainstream. Fisker has already applied for federal loans with the Department of Energy, and if the request goes through, the vehicle could be on the road in 29 months. If the high volume Fisker sees the light of day, it could well be developed at the company's new technical center in Pontiac, Michigan, an area in desperate need of new jobs.
[Source: The Oakland Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John 10:43AM (5/14/2009)
Ummm. Let's actually see the first model on the road before talking about #2 and #3. Talk is cheap.
Hope they actually produce something and this isn't another Malcolm Bricklin.
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dukeisduke 11:06AM (5/14/2009)
I wonder how many production Teslas will ever be sold.
TRL 11:16AM (5/14/2009)
No doubt Fisker is a long shot. I certainly am not going to put the little left in my 401k on his back, but it could happen.
I have been much more impressed with the PR/BS out of Fisker than anything Tesla has ever said.
Their business plan seems to be actually thought out by business people. I hope it isn't a Bricklin/Delorean or even a Tesla but maybe a Kaiser could happen.
Frankly at this time I would rather give him my tax dollars than Chrysler.
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letstakeawalk 1:27PM (5/14/2009)
Fisker's business is a much better plan than Tesla's:
Fisker is predominantly owned by Quantum Tech, which designs and builds the "Q-Drive" hybrid drive train. One of Quantum's largest investors is Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers - a company in which Colin Powell, Al Gore, and John Gage among others are major investors.
Quantum also owns positions in Asola, an international PV panel provider, and Advanced Lithium Power, a Canadian battery company. This puts Quantum in the position of being a customer of itself regarding many of the components of the Karma. Fisker isn't completely reliant on outside companies (save Valmet Auto of Finland which is building the initial cars).
I think the biggest positive (aside from having the brilliant Henrik Fisker running the whole shebang) is Al Gore's personal investment. Really, with a Dem controlled Executive and Legislative, do you think they'll let Gore lose money on one of his pet projects?
Todd 11:25AM (5/14/2009)
I'm sure GM or Chrysler has a few factories they'd be willing to sell...
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G.G. 11:58AM (5/14/2009)
Fisker hasn't even come close to John Z. DeLorean yet, but he is well on his way to follow in his footsteps. I know Gerald A. Wiegert is watching you closely to see where he went wrong with the Vector Motors Corporation some years ago.
Go for it Henrik! All of us here in Danemark are behind you all the way. Sorry we lost out on our support from Iceland, but they went bust too!
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Marc-O 3:48PM (5/14/2009)
"promises terrific performance", "tarmac-punishing"
Are we talking about the same car, here ? Last time I checked the Karma's performance numbers were nothing to write home about...
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D Fisk 3:52PM (5/14/2009)
Fisker is putting the cart before the horse.
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letstakeawalk 4:09PM (5/14/2009)
While a production model has yet to be thoroughly tested by the media, the Karma holds its own in the segment in which it will compete:
Fisker Karma 0-60mph 5.8 sec
Merc. S550 0-60mph 5.4 sec
BMW 750i 0-60mph 5.2 sec
Audi A8 0-60mph 5.9 sec
Lexus LS600h 0-60mph 5.5sec
Maser Quattroporte 0-60mph 5.3sec
Porsche Panamera 0-60mph 5.2 sec
The top speed limitation of the Karma might be a factor in European sales, but not so much here in the US. Most buyers will likely never even worry about the ultimate performance capabilities - the Karma is after all a luxury sedan.
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