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Fisker Promises Cars for Early 2009

Fisker Promises Cars for Early 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty PadgettMarty Padgett April 10th, 2008

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Earlier this year, we showed you the concept version of Fisker's new Karma plug-in hybrid. Now Fisker's going ahead with plans for production next spring -- and a plan to sell its cars in Europe, too.

Like the electric Tesla Roadster that's making the trip across the Atlantic next year, the Fisker Karma will be exported from its U.S. factory. But while Tesla will send over only a handful of Roadsters, Fisker expects about 7500 Karma sedans will go to the Continent each year, out of a total of 15,000 cars it will build a year.

American customers will get theirs starting late next year, Fisker promises, but Euros will have to wait until early 2010 for deliveries. Fisker Italia is the company set up to distribute the cars in Europe, and the company says when deliveries start, it will be one of the bigger American sellers of premium cars in Europe.

Interestingly, Fisker is also promising all of its facilities will be eco-friendly -- standards left undefined -- and will offer superb customer experiences, like videoconferencing with Fisker auto experts and flexible service scheduling.

With all the startups going on in the electric-car and plug-in hybrid market, we're getting a little jaded at news like this. But we're curious to hear what you think: are the Fiskers and Teslas of the world going to become real car companies one day, or are they vaporware? Tell us in a comment below. Enlarge PhotoEarlier this year, we showed you the concept version of Fisker's new Karma plug-in hybrid. Now Fisker's going ahead with plans for production next spring -- and a plan to sell its cars in Europe, too. Like the electric Tesla Roadster that's making the trip across the Atlantic next year, the Fisker Karma will be exported from its U.S. factory. But while Tesla will send over only a handful of Roadsters, Fisker expects about 7500 Karma sedans will go to the Continent each year, out of a total of 15,000 cars it will build a year. American customers will get theirs starting late next year, Fisker promises, but Euros will have to wait until early 2010 for deliveries. Fisker Italia is the company set up to distribute the cars in Europe, and the company says when deliveries start, it will be one of the bigger American sellers of premium cars in Europe. Interestingly, Fisker is also promising all of its facilities will be eco-friendly -- standards left undefined -- and will offer superb customer experiences, like videoconferencing with Fisker auto experts and flexible service scheduling. With all the startups going on in the electric-car and plug-in hybrid market, we're getting a little jaded at news like this. But we're curious to hear what you think: are the Fiskers and Teslas of the world going to become real car companies one day, or are they vaporware? Tell us in a comment below.

Tags: Electric Cars, Shoppers

Posted in: 2009, Hybrid



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Responses (7 total)

  1. By Jason M. Hendler #1, Posted: 4/10/2008

    Yes, Tesla and Fisker are uniquely placed with excellent targeting market - matching style, performance and price to make their products succeed.

    Tesla has the advantage of the best all electric performance, where Fisker has the advantage of being a range-extended EV, so that owners can quickly gas up on a long trip and keep going. Fisker also has the advantage of being designed by the greatest auto designer in the world - Henrich Fisker, who designed Jaguars, BMW's and Aston Martins.

  2. By  John V #2, Posted: 4/10/2008

    Tesla had driveable vehicles in August 2006, a good 18 months before customer deliveries. I am skeptical -- let's make that highly skeptical -- that Fisker can deliver cars in 18 months unless we start to see driveable cars around NOW.

    And considering that in January Fisker reps said they hadn't selected an engine, didn't know (or wouldn't say) even which variety of Li-ion batteries they planned to use, and had no idea where they'd build the car ... this feels somewhat unlikely.

  3. By Dave #3, Posted: 4/10/2008

    That is going to be an odd car. Is it going to be quiet?? I'm worried about road noise and drivetrain noise ruining an otherwise sexy car.

  4. By Baghdadi #4, Posted: 4/11/2008

    Alla bless you Mr. Fisker(Fisher)!,also be blessed the civilized photographer for not printing idiotic letters on the picture!,Kisses and huggles to all of you!.
    Signed with love
    Abu Manyuk ibn'l Zarzir!

  5. By eqestriangallore #5, Posted: 4/11/2008

    GET A HORSE!
    WHO CARES?.

  6. By  Suman #6, Posted: 4/11/2008

    Horses have their own emissions problems... :)

    Supposedly Fisker's partner Quantum has already been building plug-in hybrids for the military. How much of their capacity they can devote to civilian production (and whether it's enough) remains to be seen. While I'd place a deposit on a Karma myself if I could afford one, I don't know how quickly Fisker will be able to ramp up production with the sort of quality that customers in the Karma's demographic will expect.

  7. By  Dave #7, Posted: 4/12/2008

    The first cars were not actually an improvement over horses. So far, alternative-power vehicles have not been a functional improvement over traditionally-fueled vehicles. We need early-adopters who are willing to get fleeced to provide a beta-test bed to allow manufacturers to "evolve" a new product. If you are reading this, you have a computer. But it is not a Sinclair, Commodore or VIC-20. Celebrate the fact that cockeyed optimists are trying to be the next big thing, but don't invest in them. Buy the next Fiskar owner you meet a beer, and then think of him when you ae driving to work in a plutonium-powered hovercar, twenty years from now.

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