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First Drive: 2012 Fisker Karma

Matt Davis — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, First Drives, Electric, Luxury, MISC

Hollywood, Your Plug-In Hybrid Electric Has Arrived

2012 Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

Business partners Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler are visibly on edge. While they want to dedicate every ounce of their focus on this all-important launch of their first baby, the 2012 Fisker Karma, their attentions are being constantly pulled away from it by big conference calls regarding the money and logistics of launching the whole Fisker Automotive franchise. Are they really and truly answering a $95,900-$108,900 question with this bold effort that enough people are asking? It's clear they just want us to fall in love with their lux'd up plug-in extended-range electric sedan.

We've been helicoptered into the infield handling circuit at California Speedway in Fontana to have a brisk go at one of Fisker Automotive's first completed verification prototypes of the Karma, built by Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland. We are already assuming that the build quality and finish of all the pretty parts will be fine, as Valmet has learned a lot about these things while building cars for Porsche to strict Stuttgart standards. We also already know that the car is indeed pretty inside and out, albeit particular to some out there, seeing as Fisker has designed such lovely lady lumps as the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, not to mention the BMW Z8 roadster.

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Fisker Karma...

Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma: First Drive

Photos courtesy Fisker Automotive

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Fisker Karma

First Drive: 2012 Fisker Karma originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Latest Fisker Karma ad has all the sexy we expected

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Fisker

Fisker Karma ad - Click above to watch video after the jump

Our own Sebastian Blanco played Nostradamus on this one, predicting that Fisker's retention of Lambesis as its ad agency of record would turn into sexified commercials. Nevermind the fact that a kindergartner could have figured that out, Blanco is the one who delivered - and so did Lambesis.

The last Fisker commercial was driving shots and useless malarkey. The new ad is legs and painted nails, mood lighting and water, some plugging and unplugging, a couple of donuts and an ice cube. That's how you want your plug-in hybrids, isn't it? Then go get it in the spot after the jump. Now stay tuned while Blanco tells us when the Karma will really go on sale...

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Video: Latest Fisker Karma ad has all the sexy we expected

Video: Latest Fisker Karma ad has all the sexy we expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fisker dealer says Karma test drives and ordering start in November

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Videos, Fisker, Luxury

Fisker dealer Mike Sullivan discusses the sales timeline - Click above to watch video after the jump

When Fisker received $189 million in funding, the company gave a production target date for its long-awaited Karma of February of 2011. That release date has been delayed more than once, so Fisker held a second coming-out party at its Santa Monica dealership to stoke the fires, during which dealer principal Mike Sullivan began to color in some details of the run-up to February.

Sullivan said that at the LA Auto Show this November the upstart automaker will have full-sized Karma mockups on the floor to show off color and interior combinations. Immediately after the show, prospective customers can go to the dealer and take the new plug-in sedan on test drives, and with production beginning in Q1 of 2011, the deliveries would begin in March and April. Get all the details in the video after the jump.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: WebRides]

Continue reading Video: Fisker dealer says Karma test drives and ordering start in November

Video: Fisker dealer says Karma test drives and ordering start in November originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker adds $189 million in latest funding round

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Fisker

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just a few short days ago, we got word that Fisker Karma production would be delayed once again and a new target date for full production now sits at February 2011. The delay gives Fisker ample time to secure even more funding, and that's exactly what the company is doing. Fisker reports that it just wrapped up its latest round by securing $189 million in additional capital, bringing its total private equity funding thus far to around $339 million.

However, this latest cash campaign is about much more than just money. The additional funds ($115 million of which came in back in January), mean Fisker can trigger its $528.7 million loan from the Department of Energy. The loan will be used to re-open a General Motors plant in Delaware which the company will eventually utilize to develop a line of lower-cost, family oriented models under the Project NINA program. The company estimates that 2,000 new jobs will be created at the site, and that 5,000 more will be saved or created at domestic suppliers and that more plug-in hybrids will be on the roads soon.

Gallery: LA 2009: Fisker Karma

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Fisker adds $189 million in latest funding round originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma's aluminum space frame digitally revealed

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Fisker, Electric, Luxury

Fisker Karma Aluminum Space Frame - Click above for high-res image

Fisker Automotive has finally taken the digital wraps off the advanced aluminum space frame around which the Karma plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will be built. In lieu of enjoying a new concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show this week, Fisker fans will have to make due with this peek at the bones of the Karma, the part that gives the luxury car its "new levels of rigidity and strength that will give the world's first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle world-class ride and handling characteristics."

The frame is made with 5,000- and 6,000-series aluminum alloys. The all-knowing Wiki says the 5,000-series are "suitable for cryogenic applications and low temperature work" but are susceptible to corrosion above 60°C. The 6,000-series are made with magnesium and silicon alloys and "are easy to machine, and can be precipitation hardened, but not to the high strengths that 2000, and 7000 can reach. Now you know.

You can read the original press release announcing the aluminum space frame here.

[Source: Fisker]

Fisker Karma's aluminum space frame digitally revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker hires Lambesis as ad agency of record; we expect the sex will sell

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Fisker, Electric, Luxury

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've already seen at least one TV ad from Fisker Automotive, a minute-long spot that aired in the Los Angeles area almost a year ago (watch it here). Fisker recently consolidated its operations in California (sorry, Michigan), a move the company said would allow "greater efficiency and speeds up development of our new plug-in hybrids." The latest sign that development is indeed moving forward is news that the plug-in vehicle start-up has hired the independent advertising agency Lambesis as its agency of record.

As you might know (we didn't), Lambesis is the force behind recent campaigns for SKYY Vodka, Grand Marnier and Dasani. If the company's clips are a sign of things to come, we expect we'll see leggy models draped over the Karma's already sexy curves in no time. Apart from advertisements, Lambesis will also redesign Fisker's corporate Web site, a project that should be done by this fall.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Green Car Advisor, Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Fisker hires Lambesis as ad agency of record; we expect the sex will sell originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Fisker Karma's "advanced aluminum space frame"

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Fisker, Electric, Luxury

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

At the Chicago Auto Show last week, Fisker Automotive brought along the Karma Sunset with a new black exterior we hadn't seen before. For the Geneva Motor Show the automaker is going in the other direction and will be showing off the "advanced aluminum space frame" that underpins the Karma and gives the plug-in hybrid "new levels of rigidity and strength" for "world-class ride and handling characteristics." Here's how Fisker describes the frames, which will be made by Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland, in a statement:

Though it forms the foundation of a large sedan, the Karma space frame's rigidity is exceptional even when compared to today's sports cars. By utilizing 5,000- and 6,000-series aluminum alloys and a unique extrusion-intensive architecture, the Fisker engineering team achieved the best balance between weight and size.

Maybe at the New York Auto Show in March we'll get to see the Karma's raw materials. Nah, only joking. There's more information after the jump.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Fisker Karma's "advanced aluminum space frame"

Geneva Preview: Fisker Karma's "advanced aluminum space frame" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Has VP Joe Biden leaked Fisker's product plan?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Fisker

Regardless of what side of the political fence you find yourself on, it's hard to dispute that vice president Joe Biden has a reputation for saying more than he should. That's not always a good thing when you're privy to some of the most important secrets of what is arguably the most powerful nation on earth. Happily for car fans, our veep's "gift" seems to apply to automakers as well.

When Biden addressed the media at Fisker's recently purchased Wilmington, Delaware plant, the VP reportedly got pretty glib with Fisker's future product plans. Among the tidbits that Biden spilled beans on was the planned production volume of Project Nina. We already knew that Fisker was gearing up to build Project Nina - a plug-in hybrid rumored to cost less than $40,000 - somewhere in the States, but we didn't know that the fledgling automaker planned to build up to 100,000 copies of the still unseen and unproven PHEV, and that's exactly what our VP indicates. Biden also reportedly described the new sedan's design, saying it looks like a 'four-door Ferrari.' After the press conference, company founder Henrik Fisker apparently told Fox News that Biden "definitely told what our product plans are." Oops.

We don't know if Biden actually spoke out of turn or not, but given the VP's reputation for doing so, we're wondering if Fisker intended to tip its product plans hand this early in the game. Fisker can't complain too much, though, since the U.S. government loaned his company $529 million in spite of the fact that it won't make a car in the U.S. until the middle of the next decade. The automaker's first offering, the Karma, doesn't arrive until late next year, and it will be made in Finland.

[Source: The Car Connection | Image: Jeff Fusco/Getty]

Has VP Joe Biden leaked Fisker's product plan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Fisker gets $528.7 million loan from U.S. DOE for Karma, Project Nina

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Fisker, Electric

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fisker's goal of becoming profitable by 2011 received a shot in the arm today thanks to the U.S. Energy Department's announcement that the upstart automaker will receive a $528.7 million conditional loan. The DOE says the loan, "will create or save about 5,000 jobs for domestic parts suppliers." Highlights of the DOE's announcement include confirmation that the money will go towards "two lines of plug-in hybrids" ($39,000 PHEV, here we come?) and that at least some of those jobs will be "to manufacture a plug-in hybrid in the U.S." Fisker will perform final assembly of its first car, the high-cost Karma, in Finland with partner Valmet.

When we spoke with company head Henrik Fisker about a low-cost model back in January, he told us once DOE funding came through, it wouldn't take long to get the lower-cost plug-in hybrid on the road. The DOE loan specifies that $169.3 million is to be used for engineering integration costs, working primarily with U.S. suppliers to get the Fisker Karma finished, with the remaining funding to be used on Fisker's Project Nina. Project Nina? There's a name we haven't heard before, but the DOE says it will involve "the manufacture of a plug-in hybrid in the U.S." Fisker says the name was chosen as a reference to Christopher Columbus, and "is symbolic of the automobile industry's transition from old world to new."

Earlier this year, the DOE gave conditional loan commitments to Ford ($5.9 billion), Nissan ($1.6 billion) and Tesla Motors ($465 million). The money comes from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan program. All the details are available in the press releases below the fold.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker, DOE]

Continue reading BREAKING: Fisker gets $528.7 million loan from U.S. DOE for Karma, Project Nina

BREAKING: Fisker gets $528.7 million loan from U.S. DOE for Karma, Project Nina originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fisker developing $39,000 plug-in hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Fisker, Electric

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from earth2tech.com, Ray Lane, an investor with Kleiner Perkins, has let slip news that Fisker is developing a new plug-in hybrid automobile to slot below its planned Karma sedan with a base price of just $39,000. No indication is made whether that price would be before or after the $7,500 federal tax rebate it would likely qualify for.

Kleiner Perkins is one of the major investors in Fisker Automotive, so there's reason to believe Lane has knowledge of the inner workings at the young automaker. Earlier, company CEO Henrik Fisker said that the automaker was looking to the Department of Energy for a loan of an undetermined amount in order to build a lower-cost plug-in automobile.

We haven't recieved word that Fisker's DOE loan was approved, so we're not really sure where the funds to develop the new machine will come from. In any case, the Fisker Karma isn't slated to go on sale until late 2010, so the lower-cost PHEV very likely has quite a ways to go before it hits the pavement to do battle with the likes of the Chevy Volt. Thanks for the tip, Jon!

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: earth2tech]

REPORT: Fisker developing $39,000 plug-in hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker announces fuel economy estimate for Karma - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Fisker, Luxury

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

The miles per gallon rating of a vehicle that can get energy from an electrical outlet is a difficult thing to accurately calculate and get the public to accept. Just ask AFS Trinity, with their "150 mpg" SUVs, or GM with its 230 mpg number for the Chevy Volt. Still, it's valuable to have some sort of number to compare vehicles against one another, and Fisker Automotive has released the first such numbers for its Karma plug-in luxury hybrid: 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers (equivalent to 67.2 mpg U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 83 grams per kilometer.

Fisker is basing these numbers on SAE methodology for measuring emissions for PHEVs. We're trying to confirm this with Fisker, but we think this means the J1711 methodology, about which you can read more here or in this PDF. (UPDATE: It's actually J2841) In any case, Fisker says that the Karma's CO2 emissions will be, on average, "less than that of today's cleanest production cars and 75 percent less than that of competing vehicles." If the company meets its ambitious goal of selling 15,000 Karmas a year starting when it goes on sale next year and then through 2016, they estimate that 248 million gallons of gasoline will be saved.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Fisker announces fuel economy estimate for Karma - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km

Fisker announces fuel economy estimate for Karma - 67.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2009: Fisker Karma, Devon GTX lap Laguna Seca

Drew Phillips — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Fisker, Electric

Devon GTX and Fisker Karma take to the track at Laguna Seca - Click above for a high-res image gallery

In addition to the eight classes of vintage racecars that took to the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, spectators were also treated to a duo of special vehicles. The first was the 2010 Fisker Karma, which made its official driving debut (even though we saw it driving the day before at Concorso Italiano). We almost missed it since we couldn't hear it coming and it only did one lap, but fortunately we were able to grab a few photos. The next was the Devon GTX, which set a blistering lap time of 1:35.075 at MRLS just a few days earlier. After wowing the crowds, the GTX was loaded on a trailer and transported to Pebble Beach for its official debut. Our action photos of both cars can be found in the gallery below.

Gallery: Devon GTX and Fisker Karma on Track

Monterey 2009: Fisker Karma, Devon GTX lap Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker nabs ex-Maserati North America chief for sales and marketing duties

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising, Fisker, Electric

If there was any doubt that Fisker Automotive is keenly interested in attracting buyers from the luxury car sector - and, no, there really wasn't any doubt - today's announcement that the company has hired the former president and CEO of Maserati North America should put any lingering questions to rest.

Fisker has appointed Marti Eulberg to the position of vice president of global sales and marketing after being head of Maserati North America for less than one year. Eulberg's position means she will "develop global sales and marketing strategies and manage Fisker's worldwide retail network." Eulberg, a true auto industry veteran, has also worked for Jaguar, Volvo and BMW as well as managing Ford dealerships and interning at General Motors.

As we've seen, Fisker is not following fellow green luxury car maker Tesla down the independent store path. Instead, Fisker will license independent dealerships, hopefully to benefit from their expertise with selling expensive vehicles in local markets. Complete press release available after the jump.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Fisker nabs ex-Maserati North America chief for sales and marketing duties

Fisker nabs ex-Maserati North America chief for sales and marketing duties originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma's public driving debut coming to Monterey's Classic Car Week

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Fisker, Electric, Luxury

Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

While we've seen the Fisker Karma surrounded by velvet ropes and models plenty of times, we've yet to experience the sight of the Karma spinning its wheels on the open road. The good news is that this luxury plug-in hybrid will make its public driving debut during the Monterey Peninsula's Classic Car Week (part of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance) in the middle of August. Not only will August 15 mark the first time outsiders get to see the Karma in action, but it'll be first time any plug-in hybrid joins the track cars at the event. The plan right now is to send the Karma on two laps of the Laguna Seca course, starting at 11:10 a.m.

The Karma concept will also be on display at Concorso Italiano on Aug. 14, along with the Karma Sunset convertible, while the Karma S will bask on the 18th hole of Pebble on Aug. 16.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

Continue reading Fisker Karma's public driving debut coming to Monterey's Classic Car Week

Fisker Karma's public driving debut coming to Monterey's Classic Car Week originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma Sunset, Converj, BlueSport Roadster win Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars

Fisker Karma Sunset Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fisker's undeniably gorgeous Karma Sunset concept was named the 2009 Production Preview Vehicle of the Year at the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards last night at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit. Organized by the South East Automotive Media Organization, the jurors also lauded VW's Concept BlueSport Roadster as the 2009 Concept Car of the Year and named the Cadillac Converj

"The Fisker Karma Sunset is just drop dead gorgeous" - juror Michael Bettencourt

the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009. The Kia Soul'ster won Concept Truck of the Year.

Aside from the Soul'ster, the winners combine an alternative fuel powerplant (plug-in hybrid, diesel or ER-EV) with lust-worthy design. We'll see if this does anything to dispense with the myth that green = fugly. The jury considered 23 concepts and 11 production preview vehicles that were introduced during the 2009 auto show season before selecting the top cars. See more pictures of the winners after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S

[Source: Southeast Automotive Media Organization, Fisker]

Continue reading Fisker Karma Sunset, Converj, BlueSport Roadster win Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards

Fisker Karma Sunset, Converj, BlueSport Roadster win Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo

Domenick Yoney — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Videos

Click above to watch video after the jump

A year ago, less a day, we showed you the first clip of the Fisker Karma in motion. More footage was shot that afternoon, but it's inexplicably taken this long for it to find its way onto the internet. What we have here is 52 seconds of exuberant, pedal-down slalom carving and skidpad circling in the Fisker Karma. The driver makes the tires squawk so much that you forget all about the unfortunate pop tune dubbed into the clip.

While not as polished as Fisker's recently-aired commercial, it does give a more accurate hint of how the luxo-sport hybrid-electric might handle. That is to say with a bit of understeer, though its wide stance does help keep the car from revealing its considerable weight. So ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts and hit the jump for some wheel-squealing Karma action. Scroll down a bit further to revisit the aforementioned commercial spot as well.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo

VIDEO: Fisker Karma shows its mojo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 May 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fisker planning third Karma variant, low-cost hybrid

Chris Shunk — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green

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]

REPORT: Fisker planning third Karma variant, low-cost hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good Karma: Fisker investors reportedly bring in $85 million in capital

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Earnings/Financials

Fisker Karma - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Hybrid propulsion or not, wunder-designer Henrik Fisker couldn't have picked a worse time be to starting a new car company...especially in the United States. Fisker has been adamant that his company will get off the ground and begin production of its much-hyped Karma electric sedan and S convertible, but without the capital invested, speculation was that his efforts could run out of steam prematurely. However, Automotive News is reporting that the upstart automaker has received a healthy cash injection of $85 million to help get production started.

The funds come from two investors: Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which was one of the first financial firms to invest in Fisker's enterprise, and a new investor Eco-Drive Capital Partners LLC. Will it be enough to get the Karma out on the street? Eighty-five mil is a big hunk of cash, but as any Detroit veteran could tell you, big money has a habit of running out fast in this business, and it generally takes hundreds of millions of dollars to launch new models.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Fisker Karma

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Fisker Karma S Concept

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Good Karma: Fisker investors reportedly bring in $85 million in capital originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker plans lower-cost model, may compete with Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fisker Karma

It's probably a bit premature to be talking about future models from Fisker, considering the automaker's plug-in Karma and Karma S have yet to hit the market, but that's never stopped us before, right? According to Russell Datz, head PR man at Fisker Automotive, "One of the future products we have is something that is significantly less than what will be on the market first," though it may still "be a step above" the Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S.

That's not a ton of information to go by, unfortunately. The Chevy Volt is expected to come in around $40K or so in late 2010 when it's finally released (hopefully), and the Tesla Model S will cost at least $10K more than that. For comparison, the Fisker Karma will carry a starting sticker of $87,900. In other words, there's plenty of room between the base price of a Volt and the base price of a Karma. Where the lower-cost model from Fisker would fall in that range is anybody's guess.

Gallery: Fisker Karma

[Source: Inside Line]

Fisker plans lower-cost model, may compete with Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Automotive signs up 32 dealers in 17 states

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Green

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]

Continue reading Fisker Automotive signs up 32 dealers in 17 states

Fisker Automotive signs up 32 dealers in 17 states originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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