Autoblog

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Peugeot gets new vans to Partner with Citroen Berlingo

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, PSA, Peugeot

Where there's smoke, there's fire. And while most wouldn't think of a miniscule European van as hot, PSA's Peugeot brand has its day in the sun with its new Partner vans, unveiled together with its sister-company Citroen's new Berlingo.

The new Partner is virtually identical to its partner, the Berlingo, but is distinguished by some unique features and sheetmetal. The passenger version is labeled the Partner Tepee and gets a multi-function roof called "Zenith". It's also available with a pseudo-off-road package called the Partner Tepee Outdoor. The outgoing version, on the market since 1996, continues on as the entry-level Partner Origin (like the Berlingo First). And, of course, there's a utilitarian version set up for light commercial use with a 1.8-meter long cargo floor that can be extended to 3 meters by dropping the Multi-Flex passenger seats, which gives the Partner LCV an additional 400 liters (14 cubic feet) of cargo space on top of the 3,300-liter (116 cubic-foot) conventional capacity.

[Source: Peugeot]

Gallery: Peugeot new Partner

Continue reading Peugeot gets new vans to Partner with Citroen Berlingo

Peugeot gets new vans to Partner with Citroen Berlingo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Care to dance? - Geely looking for partners

Dan Roth — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: China, Plants/Manufacturing, Tokyo Motor Show

"We started off building and selling cheap cars, but now we are changing," says Geely Automobile Holdings Chairman Li Shufu at at Tokyo press conference. Geely is the purveyor of some of the most inexpensive cars in China, and now it's looking to sell in other markets. Citing Geely's great respect for Japanese manufacturers, Li expressed a desire to collaborate with them as Geely follows the trail they blazed over a generation ago. Competition in the Chinese auto market is cutthroat, and Geely has plans to double its capacity and add assembly plants in North America and Europe, too. Their goal is to sell 1 million cars per year by 2010, quite an increase from the 175,635 units they moved last year.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

Care to dance? - Geely looking for partners originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Shacking up - Nanjing and SAIC form partnership

Dan Roth — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: China, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Roewe

Instead of beating each other's brains out and assuring that nobody wins, SAIC and Nanjing have decided to stand close to each other on the playground. While they may still avoid eye contact and kick pebbles instead of developing a friendship, they will be carrying out what they're terming a "comprehensive collaboration." Design, production and sales efforts will be pooled in an effort to make China's automakers competitive with outsiders like General Motors and Volkswagen, who currently dominate China's vehicle market. The weekend announcement of the effort was mum on a merger, but did mention an asset swap as the two state-controlled businesses go forward splitting resources. At the very least, it seems like the cooperative effort will quell the bickering over the carved up carcass of Rover Cars.

[Source: Detroit News]

Shacking up - Nanjing and SAIC form partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments