Autoblog

Can the Chinese rescue Fisker?

David Kiley — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Earnings/Financials, Fisker, Electric, Luxury

Fisker Automotive is aggressively courting Chinese automakers to bail it out of its financial problems.

Executives with knowledge of the discussions told Autoblog that Fisker representatives have made recent trips to China to discuss deals that include capital investment and outright acquisition scenarios. Those discussions are continuing this week at the Detroit Auto Show. Reuters first reported discussions between Fisker and Chinese companies.

While Fisker was once favored by many auto industry analysts and executives to get the better of rival Tesla Motors in the premium/luxury EV market, Fisker has had several setbacks to its operations. The launch of the Fisker Karma, the company's first model, has been beset with problems, as is often the case with a new car company. Its lithium-ion battery supplier, A123 Systems, went bankrupt. And the company lost hundreds of cars at its Newark port when Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey-New York coastline last fall.

In addition to needing investors, Fisker is also seeking strategic partners. Tesla, which had a successful initial public offering, for example, has both Toyota and Mercedes-Benz as investors and strategic partners.

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Can the Chinese rescue Fisker? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker seeks financial partner after "tough year"

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Fisker

After facing what could be charitably described as a terrible year, Fisker founder and Chairman Henrik Fisker admitted in a recent interview that his company is "actively engaged in conversations with potential strategic partners." Speaking with TheDetroitBureau.com, Fisker went on to say that he'd, "like to see if we can get something done next year."

As of this writing, Fisker has declined invitations to divulge which companies those partnership conversations are happening with. If one cared to hazard a guess though, BMW and General Motors - both loosely associated with Fisker in past dealings - might be good front-runners.

The urge to seek a tie-up with a larger, more stable entity does not come out of the blue for the independent Fisker. The reputation of the company's Karma model has been rocked by battery fires and a scathing review from Consumer Reports earlier this year, and now its production schedule is being held hostage by a battery shortage because its supplier, A123 Systems, has gone bankrupt. More significantly still, the company's plans to launch a second, more affordable Atlantic model have been stymied due to the US Department of Energy putting the brakes on a promised low-interest loan to the automaker.

This isn't the first time that the Fisker founder has admitted that all is not completely rosy, certainly, but there does seem to be a more pragmatic tone this time around than in interviews past. Which large company would make for a "dream" mashup with Fisker? Give us your two cents, in Comments.

Fisker seeks financial partner after "tough year" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma and 3M at SEMA, that's a wrap

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Fisker, Design/Style, Electric

Electric carmaker Fisker has partnered with car-wrapping specialists 3M for an interesting demonstration of what could be at this year's SEMA festivities. As we reported in greater detail earlier, the folks from 3M are wrapping up the Karma in a few fairly wild shades and stripe packages, to have a little fun with the already drop-dead gorgeous Fisker.

We caught the team mid-wrap when we shot the gallery of live images that you see here; transitioning from a white and blue livery to a sassy yellow and black number.

Considering the explosion of custom wrap jobs that we've seen and heard about lately, we'd expect to see the trend continue for both SEMA and the wider world of customization. In fact, wrapping at a high level makes a lot of sense for owners of expensive cars, who may be less willing to alter the original paint job, while still hungering for a little variety now and again.

We also happened across another rather interestingly modded Karma - this one with a distinct lack of associated press information. The car in the gallery below has wood accenting both the wheels and grille, as well as another distinctive colorway. Enjoy.

Fisker Karma and 3M at SEMA, that's a wrap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hurricane Sandy destroys 16 Fisker Karmas at port with water and fire

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Fisker, Electric

Even before Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the US, there was no doubt the storm would wreak havoc for automakers (especially luxury brands) in the Northeast, but it looks like Fisker may have taken the biggest, most spectacular hit.

According to Jalopnik, 16 Fisker Karma models waiting to be shipped off to dealers at Port Newark were flooded during the storm surge, and while it isn't clear how it happened, some of the cars ended up catching on fire.

This isn't the first (or second) time a Fisker Karma has caught fire, but it is a different scenario that led to the fires. While the first two instances may have been related to a hot engine compartment, the storm-damaged Karmas were sitting in a lot full of other cars when they were flooded with sea water. Since none of the vehicles were being charged and it's unlikely that any had recently been driven, the best guess of a cause for these fires is some sort of short caused by the batteries coming in contact with salt water.

Fisker has released an official statement about the fires (read it below) saying the company will investigate the situation, but as of yet, there is no additional information.

Continue reading Hurricane Sandy destroys 16 Fisker Karmas at port with water and fire

Hurricane Sandy destroys 16 Fisker Karmas at port with water and fire originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker may change plans on Delaware production, details Karma troubles

Autoblog Staff — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Earnings/Financials, Fisker

Fisker Automotive may drop plans to use a Delaware factory to build its upcoming Atlantic sedan and is looking at "other options," Automotive News reports, citing an interview with company CEO Tom LaSorda. The company, in an online meeting with owners of the Fisker Karma extended-range plug-in sedan, spelled out some of the issues that have been plaguing the car.

Fisker will hold off on deciding on the Atlantic's production site until the end of summer, which will delay the model's debut. LaSorda maintains that Fisker will be able to produce the Atlantic with or without Department of Energy funding, according to Automotive News. Fisker's director of corporate communications, Russell Datz, tells AutoblogGreen that the company remains "committed to Delaware" but admits that if the rest of the company's DOE loan money does not come through, the plan to build the Atlantic in Delaware could change.

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Continue reading Fisker may change plans on Delaware production, details Karma troubles

Fisker may change plans on Delaware production, details Karma troubles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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