Fisker Automotive
Fisker Automotive, Inc. was founded as an American joint venture (joint venture) by Henrik Fisker. Participants include the Fisker Coach Build LLC and specialized in alternative drives and production of hybrid electric vehicles and automotive engineering service Quantum Technologies of Irvine, California. Financially Fisker was supported by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
The first model Fisker Karma was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in February 2008. After several delays, the immediate pre-production began at the Finnish contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive in March 2011. The first car was delivered to the actor Leonardo DiCaprio in July 2011.
The company was until the summer of 2012 led by a native of Denmark automotive designer Henrik Fisker. Henrik Fisker worked with the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
After financial difficulties the company was sold by auction to the Chinese Richard Li, owner of China's Pacific Century Group in October 2013. Henrik Fisker wants to continue to lead the company, according to the report.
Quantum and coach Build
While for the Q -Drive said drive integration ( combination battery, battery management, electrical and internal combustion engine) Quantum Technologies is responsible, which also led Fisker Fisker Coach Build LLC is responsible for the rest of the car.
Quantity
The Q -Drive system was developed according to the manufacturer as part of a development for the U.S. Defense Department.
Fisker Coach Build
Coach Build LLC leads (like Porsche) development contracts for other automotive manufacturers and offered even the sports car conversions Fisker Latigo CS ( based on the BMW 6) for 195000-235000 dollar and the Fisker Tramonto roadster for $ 253,000 based on the Mercedes -Benz SL 55 AMG in, both of which were limited to 150 copies.
Model Fisker Karma
The first model is the Fisker Karma, a four-door sports sedan produced by Valmet Automotive in Finland since June 2011. Since the termination of the works by Porsche, this car is the only connection order for Valmet to production of the new A-Class from Mercedes -Benz in 2013. The name Karma is based on the corresponding Sanskrit word.
The car has two electric modes, a sleep mode, which is called in military jargon Stealth Drive, and a Sport mode Sport Drive. Quantum Technologies still leads from defense contracts and is currently developing for the U.S. Department of Defense a stealth vehicle called Aggressor Alternative Mobility Vehicle ( AMV ).
The body is 4970 mm long, 1984 mm wide and 1310 mm high.
During the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen Fisker gave a functional pre-production copy of the Karma to the Danish royal house. Frederik of Denmark took the car on the way to the conference.
At the IAA 2011, a station wagon version of the Karma with the name Fisker Surf was introduced.
Project Fisker Karma S
In January 2009, the Fisker Fisker Karma S introduced a convertible version of the karma. The S stands for Sunset.
The car essentially has the same performance as the Karma, also runs 80 km electrically alone, but accelerates from 0 to 60 miles in 5.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 201 km / h ( 125 miles ) per hour.
For longer distances, he has purchased by General Motors 2-liter 4- cylinder engine with turbocharging, which delivers electricity produced when required and to the lithium ion battery. With a full tank the auxiliary engine extends the range to 300 km. The same motor is used in the Chevrolet Cobalt SS.
Lawsuit by Tesla
In April 2008, Fisker Automotive, Tesla Motors was sued for industrial espionage. Henrik Fisker was developed in 2007 the body design for a planned Tesla Motors four-door plug -in hybrid for Tesla. Tesla Motors claims that Fisker took the $ 875,000 - job in order to gain access to secret information from Tesla. Before working for Tesla, Fisker had no experience with hybrid technology. Fisker founded Fisker Automotive in late 2007., At the request of Fisker arbitration was started. The dispute was resolved in favor of Fisker.
Economic Situation
In summer 2012 Fisker halted production in the U.S. for five months. In March 2013, 75% of workers were laid off and now employs a specialist in bankruptcy law firm in April.
The production costs amounted to $ 660,000 each karma and exceed the selling price by far. A total of 1,800 vehicles were sold at prices 77000-100000 U.S. dollars.
Overall, Fisker has received public subsidies and investments by third parties in the amount of USD 1.2 billion.
Miscellaneous
Ashton Kutcher runs in the ninth season of the sitcom Two and a half men as billionaire Walden Schmidt a Fisker Karma. At the beginning of the season the car is incorrectly referred to as all-electric sports car.