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IRVINE, CA – July 19, 2010: American automaker Fisker Automotive today finalized its purchase of a former GM factory where it will build plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The southern California-based company is now in full possession of the 3.2 million square foot Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware, for which it paid Motors Liquidation [...]]]> Fisker Press Release

IRVINE, CA – July 19, 2010: American automaker Fisker Automotive today finalized its purchase of a former GM factory where it will build plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

The southern California-based company is now in full possession of the 3.2 million square foot Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware, for which it paid Motors Liquidation Company (MLC) $20 million. MLC is the holding company formed by General Motors Corporation’s bankruptcy.

The purchase is supported by a $528.7 million Department of Energy loan for the development of two lines of plug-in hybrids.

The Wilmington plant will be home to Project NINA, Fisker’s second line of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and where Fisker expects to ultimately create more than 2,000 factory jobs.“This is a major step toward creating thousands of manufacturing jobs and restoring America as a leader in the global auto industry,” said Bernhard Koehler, COO, Fisker Automotive.“Wilmington will be instrumental in fulfilling our plans to export more than half of Fisker premium plug-in hybrid production to global markets.”

Fisker announced its intent to acquire the idled factory in October 2009. A federal bankruptcy judge approved the sale last month.

The Wilmington Assembly plant opened in 1947 and produced more than 8.5 million vehicles before closing in mid 2009.

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American carmaker Fisker Automotive has received a coveted Stevie Award for business innovation from The 2010 American Business Awards program.  The award was presented last night during ceremonies at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

A distinguished panel of judges selected Fisker Automotive (www.fiskerautomotive.com) for [...]]]> Fisker Automotive Press Release

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American carmaker Fisker Automotive has received a coveted Stevie Award for business innovation from The 2010 American Business Awards program.  The award was presented last night during ceremonies at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

A distinguished panel of judges selected Fisker Automotive (www.fiskerautomotive.com) for “Most Innovative Company of the Year – up to 100 employees” for its unique approach to addressing future transportation needs.

Since its inception in 2007, Fisker Automotive has proven itself as a force in the automotive industry by leading the premium green car segment with the 403 horsepower, 100mpg Fisker Karma.  The Karma will be world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle when it arrives in showrooms early next year.

Additional winners include other leading-edge companies like Apple, Mozilla, and Ford Motor Company.

More than 200 executives across the country participated in the judging process to determine the Finalists and Stevie Award winners. Details about The American Business Awards and the lists of honorees in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.

The company expects to fulfill testing requirements, begin production and make initial customer deliveries before the [...]]]> IRVINE, CA – May 28, 2010: Fisker Automotive today closed on an additional $35 million of private equity to conclude a $189M round of funding that enables the American car company to launch its Karma premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

The company expects to fulfill testing requirements, begin production and make initial customer deliveries before the end of the year. Full production will ramp up in first quarter 2011.

The close — inclusive of $115 million Fisker Automotive announced it had secured access to in January — comes ahead of schedule to meet funding commitments associated with a $528.7 million U.S. Department of Energy loan that will support the development of two lines of plug-in hybrids.

Since being established in August 2007 Fisker Automotive has raised more than $300 million in private equity.

Designed and engineered in California, the Karma, a stylish plug-in hybrid sedan, will be sold in global markets. A demonstration model is currently touring the company’s 45 U.S. retail locations.

Development of the Karma enables Fisker Automotive to create a second, lower-priced line of plug-in hybrids, currently code-named Project NINA, that will be built in a former GM assembly plant in Wilmington Delaware.

Fisker Treviso in Treviso, Italy opened its doors on May 7th with a silver pre-production Karma sedan on display. While Fisker is building enthusiasm and taking more deposits for the North American market with its retail tour, it’s clear Fisker also has ambitions to build a strong presence in Europe as well.

[Source: Autoblog.it]

[Add your thoughts [...]]]>

Fisker Treviso in Treviso, Italy opened its doors on May 7th with a silver pre-production Karma sedan on display. While Fisker is building enthusiasm and taking more deposits for the North American market with its retail tour, it’s clear Fisker also has ambitions to build a strong presence in Europe as well.

[Source: Autoblog.it]

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Full details are below in the press release from the Department of Energy.

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Press Release

Department of Energy Announces Closing of $529 Million Loan [...]]]> Great news! The United States Department of Energy has finalized its loan to Fisker Automotive for the development and production of the Fisker Karma and Nina model lines.

Full details are below in the press release from the Department of Energy.

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Press Release

Department of Energy Announces Closing of $529 Million Loan to Fisker Automotive

Manufacturing at Shuttered Delaware GM Plant Expected to Create Over 2,000 Jobs

Washington, DC – The Department of Energy announced today the closing of a $528.7 million loan with Fisker Automotive for the development and production of two lines of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).  The loan will support the Karma, a full-size, four-door sports sedan, and a line of family oriented models being developed under the company’s Project NINA program.

“The story of Fisker is a story of ingenuity of an American company, a commitment to innovation by the U.S. government and the perseverance of the American auto industry,” said Vice President Joe Biden.  “The Boxwood Plant is opening again, employing workers in Delaware, and is serving as a roadmap for all we can accomplish if everyone works together.   Thanks to real dedication by this Administration, loans from the Department of Energy, the creativity of U.S. companies and the tenacity of great state partners like Delaware – we’re on our way to helping America’s auto industry reclaim its top position in the global market.”

Fisker, a startup based in southern California, expects to manufacture the Karma and Project NINA lines at a recently shuttered General Motors factory in Wilmington, Delaware.  Fisker anticipates that it will employ 2,000 American assembly workers.  Industry experts expect that domestic parts suppliers and service providers also will increase employment substantially.

“Not only will the Fisker projects contribute to cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions, these plug-in hybrid cars will help put American ingenuity at the forefront of automotive design and production,” said Secretary Chu.  “And they will bring innovative cars to the market place while putting American workers back on the job,” Secretary Chu added.

Fisker’s plug-in hybrid products will be among the first to market and will help to accelerate the introduction of fuel-saving electrified vehicles in the U.S. When full production is reached in 2015, Fisker estimates annual sales at up to 115,000 vehicles. Combining Fisker projected sales volume with the expected sales volume of the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model S, sales of electric and PHEVs funded with DOE ATVM loans could exceed 300,000 annually.

Initially, Fisker Automotive will use the proceeds of the loan for qualifying engineering integration costs as it works with primarily U.S. suppliers to incorporate components into the Karma’s design.  The engineering integration work will be conducted in Irvine, California, where engineers will design tools and equipment and develop manufacturing processes.  The Karma is scheduled to appear in showrooms in late 2010. The second stage will involve the purchase and retooling of the former GM plant to manufacture the Project NINA line of PHEVs, which is expected to begin rolling off the assembly line in late 2012.

Fisker automobiles are driven by electric motors that get their power from a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, or, when that is depleted, by a generator driven by an efficient gas-powered engine.  The Karma and Project NINA models will have an all-electric, tailpipe-emission-free range of 40 to 50 miles on a full charge, more than most Americans drive each day.  The battery can be charged at home overnight.  Using gas and electric power, Fisker plug-in hybrids are expected to have a cruising range of up to 300 miles.

The Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program supports the development of advanced technology vehicles with improved fuel efficiency which help reduce the nation’s dependence on oil. This is the fourth loan arrangement signed by DOE with an advanced technology vehicle manufacturer.

Fisker Automotive has announced plans to bring the Karma to Fisker retailers across North America.

While Fisker isn’t offering any ride or driving opportunities on the tour, current plans intend for customer deliveries to begin early 2011. 1600 deposits have been placed on the [...]]]> If you have not already seen a Fisker Karma, now is your chance.

Fisker Automotive has announced plans to bring the Karma to Fisker retailers across North America.

While Fisker isn’t offering any ride or driving opportunities on the tour, current plans intend for customer deliveries to begin early 2011. 1600 deposits have been placed on the Karma so far.

The two-month program begins on April 27 and will bring the stylish Karma to 42 cities in 26 states and 3 Canadian provinces.

“This tour provides local retailers the opportunity to introduce the beautifully styled and environmentally friendly Karma to their customers and potential prospects,” said Marti Eulberg, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at Fisker Automotive. “Fisker Automotive has established a network of proven retailers that will deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction.”

Plan on attending the tour? Join the discussion in our Fisker forum.

Intended Fisker Karma North American Retail Tour Schedule
(check with local retailers for exact times and dates)
4/27 Irvine, CA — Depart Fisker Automotive
4/28 Las Vegas, NV – Gaudin Automotive
5/1 San Antonio, TX – Barrett Holdings
5/3 Austin, TX – Roger Beasley Highline Group
5/4 Houston, TX – McDavid Auto Group
5/5 Fort Worth, TX – Frank Kent Motor Co.
5/6 Plano, TX – McDavid Auto Group
5/7 Tulsa, OK – Don Thornton Cadillac
5/10 Huntsville, AL – Century Automotive Group
5/11 Atlanta, GA – Classic Cadillac
5/13 Tampa Bay, FL – Elder Automotive Group
5/14 West Palm Beach, FL – Palm Beach Motor Cars
5/15 Miami, FL – Warren Henry Automobiles
5/17 Orlando, FL – Fields Auto Group
5/19 Winston Salem, NC – Flow Companies
5/20 Greenbelt, MD – Capitol Cadillac
5/21 Fairfax, VA – Ted Britt Auto Group
5/22 Wilmington, DE – Union Park Automotive
5/24 Langhorne, PA – H.A. Ott Motor Cars
5/25 Paramus, NJ – Bergen Jaguar
5/26 Great Neck, NY – Jaguar Great Neck
5/27 Greenwich, CT – Miller Motor Cars
5/28 Norwood, MA – Jake Kaplan’s Ltd.
6/1 North Olmsted, OH – M2 Motors, Inc.
6/2 Grand Blanc, MI – Serra Automotive
6/3 Toronto, ON – Dilawri Group
6/7 Glencoe, IL – Fields Auto Group
6/8 Schaumburg, IL – Patrick Dealer Group
6/9 Neenah, WI – Bergstrom Corp.
6/10 Minneapolis, MN – Borton Automotive
6/12 Saint Louis, MO – Plaza Motor Group
6/15 Denver, CO – Rickenbaugh
6/18 Calgary, AB – Dilawri Group
6/21 Centerville, UT – Hadley Auto Company
6/24 Vancouver, BC – Fields Auto Group
6/25 Bellevue, WA – O’Brien Auto Group
6/26 Portland, OR – Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships
6/27 Marin, CA – Price Family Dealerships
6/28 Sacramento, CA – Price Family Dealerships
6/29 Silicon Valley, CA – Price Family Dealerships
6/30 Santa Monica, CA – Sullivan Luxury Cars
7/3 Irvine, CA, Orange – Shelly Automotive Group
7/5 San Diego, CA – Marvin K. Brown Auto Group

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Fisker Buzz [...]]]> Fisker Automotive announced news on Twitter yesterday that the company now has an official Facebook fan page. We decided it’s about time we join Facebook as well, so we have now launched our Fisker Buzz Facebook page today!

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Fisker Automotive COO Bernhard Koehler offered new insight into the company’s plans at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce legislative brunch and manufacturing conference on Wednesday.

In just 8 weeks, Fisker Automotive will start moving into the former General Motors plant in Wilmington, Delaware. Koehler mentioned that Fisker is actively [...]]]>

Bernhard Koehler speaking at Delaware conference

Fisker Automotive COO Bernhard Koehler offered new insight into the company’s plans at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce legislative brunch and manufacturing conference on Wednesday.

In just 8 weeks, Fisker Automotive will start moving into the former General Motors plant in Wilmington, Delaware. Koehler mentioned that Fisker is actively seeking to establish agreements with suppliers near the Delaware site, and will host a supply fair in May to see if partnership with local businesses is possible. Fisker’s project Nina is expected to enter production in 2012 with Karma production being shifted to the Delaware plant at a later, unspecified date. Fisker Automotive aims to operate the Wilmington plant at full production in 2014 at a rate of 100,000 cars per year. Besides the Karma and Nina sedans, model derivatives including a convertible version of the Karma named the Sunset and coupe and crossover variants of the Nina will contribute to the 100,000 per year total.

Fisker plans to build cars in Delaware for export markets as well — especially Europe.

Interestingly, Koehler mentioned that Fisker Automotive is looking to partner with other automakers to develop its next models. Who do you think are suitable partners for Fisker?

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[Photo credit @DEStateChamber on Twitter]

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What’s more, this isn’t just any Latigo CS — it’s the prototype model featured in car shows and magazines all over the world! An [...]]]> It’s not often you see a Fisker Latigo CS for sale. Production of the car based on a BMW 6-Series was limited to just 150 units.

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What’s more, this isn’t just any Latigo CS — it’s the prototype model featured in car shows and magazines all over the world! An interior trim piece proudly commemorates the car’s status as number 000 of 150. The car also features a full suite of DINAN performance upgrades.

The car is listed by Jake’s Motorcars in San Diego, California for $99,888 on Auto Trader and is also available on eBay at a higher price. Any Fisker Buzz members interested in buying it?

GALLERY

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Below is more info on the Fisker Latigo CS and Tramonto from a Fisker press release from several years ago.

PRESS RELEASE

Based on Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG and BMW 6 Series 650Ci Coupe

Fisker Coachbuild announced its first two coachbuild designs at the Frankfurt International Auto Show. The Fisker 2006 Tramonto– a thrilling two-seat convertible sports car delivering 610 horsepower with top speeds of 202 mph, and the Fisker Latigo CS – an uncompromising and elegant coupe delivering up to 550 horsepower.

Since the focus of Fisker Coachbuild is to create cars for the true automotive enthusiast, we have developed a company where the production process is built around the design – to blend emotion and performance more harmoniously than ever before. Production will commence in April 2006.

The Fisker Coachbuild 2006 Tramonto is a sculpted statement of exotic, two-seat, open-air motoring. Beneath the skin, the engineering excellence of what its base architecture once was – a Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG – remains. The myriad Mercedes-Benz technological innovations, from the power-retractable hardtop to Active Body Control (ABC), remain untouched – as do safety systems, including crumple zones and airbags. At the same time, the Tramonto has become something much more, and the differences go beyond what meets the eye.

The stance is wide and low. Ground hugging. The lines flow smoothly from start to finish – unbroken in signature Fisker style. The overall look conveys movement, speed and power, whether the retractable hardtop is secured for foul-weather driving or stowed for drop-top motoring. Compared to its original platform, the Tramonto is reproportioned with a shorter back end, a longer-looking hood line with a pronounced power dome, and no visual bumpers. It is poised, balanced and exquisite. From any angle, the message is uncompromisingly beautiful. Unmistakably Fisker.

“We are thrilled that we have been able to follow our gut feelings with Fisker Coachbuild. We have put all of our experience, energy and passion towards delivering cars that speak straight from the heart,” explains Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Coachbuild. “For Fisker Coachbuild, it is all about emotion and design excellence”.

Competition-proven materials and technology grace the base engine with a coveted combination of performance and reliability. Handcrafted by a dedicated AMG technician, the 5.5-liter, 24-valve V8 features forged aluminum pistons, a precision-balanced crankshaft and an ultra-efficient liquid­to-air intercooler delivering 493 bhp and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. For those who crave even more performance, the Performance Plus package is also available. Fisker Coachbuild has teamed with Kleemann, the world’s leader in Kompressor (supercharger) technology for Mercedes-Benz, to create the Fisker/ Kleemann 610-bhp supercharged 5.5-liter V8 which delivers a 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Exotic. Uncompromising. Sporting, elegant and compelling. The BMW 6 Series 650Ci Coupe provides the base vehicle architecture for the Fisker Latigo CS. The signature Fisker touch brings a new gravitas and balance to the luxury sports coupe – it is understated sporty elegance at its best. As in the Tramonto, all electronic, telematic and safety systems remain untouched – and every vehicle option is yours to choose from.

The Fisker Latigo is currently nearing production status, so final technical details are still in flux. Engine specifications call for a standard 32-valve, 4.8-liter V8 pumping 367 horsepower, and an optional V10 that generates over 550 horsepower if you choose a BMW M6 as your base architecture.

This is design that is felt as well as seen. In the lines of the car, there is tension – like an arrow pulled back in the bow. The C-pillars have been redesigned to flow in a more sculptured manner, sitting solidly over the rear wheel. Front and rear dimensions have both been shortened, and a sculptured power dome highlights the hood. Overall, these brilliantly balanced proportions lend a solid, unmistakable presence to the Latigo CS – while advanced aerodynamic sculpting creates a shape that is virtually invisible to the air.

Production of both designs will be limited to 150 apiece, so sightings of the 2006 Fisker Tramonto and 2006 Fisker Latigo CS will always be a rarity. Production will commence in April 2006 – just over one year after the company opened its doors – enabling enthusiasts across the globe to experience coachbuild redefined.

Fisker Coachbuild Redefined

Welcome to Fisker Coachbuild, founded by Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler. For many years, these two gentlemen had the rare opportunity to take part in creating truly legendary automobiles: timeless sports cars that inspire awe and admiration. Fisker and Koehler worked for renowned car companies like BMW, Ford and Aston Martin. And, like many entrepreneurs before them, there came a point when they realized that together, they could take it one step further. The dream was to follow their gut feelings – to put all their experience, energy and passion towards delivering cars that speak straight from the heart.

“To bring a car to market that true automotive enthusiasts can drive and enjoy, we have created a car company where the production process is built around the design – to allow emotion and performance to blend more harmoniously than ever before,” describes Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Coachbuild.

“In Fisker Coachbuild, we have created something truly special. Not simply a new car company, but a new vision for what an exotic, high-performance, coachbuilt car can be,” explains Bernhard Koehler, COO of Fisker Coachbuild. “We have combined extraordinarily beautiful design with existing world-class engineering to deliver a final product without compromise.”

Fisker Coachbuild sports cars are created with a singular design language: instantly recognizable as a Fisker creation, inside and out. They are of the highest quality: created with only the best materials. They are exclusive: each model will be built in strictly limited numbers. And they are thrilling: already beginning life as a premier sports car, then raised to new heights of exotic at Fisker.

History in the Making

Fisker and Koehler are bringing back one of the world’s greatest hand-crafted experiences in car design – coachbuilding. They are crafting an automotive line-up that will redefine automotive performance, elegance, luxury and exclusivity.

The two teamed up with a small group of international investors to bring the Fisker Coachbuild experience to life. A workshop was rented, a handful of craftsmen hired, and production of the Fisker Tramonto and Latigo CS was up and running.

A sports car from Fisker Coachbuild is entirely new – and so is the way it is created. Our streamlined production process allows us to deliver an expertly finished, hand-crafted vehicle in a fraction of the time historically associated with coachbuild. Our super-luxury sports cars will still offer all the technology, safety and reliability of their original platforms. It is an unprecedented combination.

Everywhere you look, the design speaks of exclusivity and performance. Interior and exterior surfaces reflect the Fisker DNA. Interior fit and finish are distinctive, and every body panel is crafted to our exact specifications. Everywhere you touch, the finest materials touch back. Glove-soft leather graces the interior; aluminum and carbon-fiber panels define the body. A deep, lustrous finish highlights every curve, in every color offered by the original manufacturer, plus a palette of exclusive Fisker colors. It’s only fitting, because a Fisker is a step above what any manufacturer offers to enhance their own vehicles, and a move beyond what an aftermarket tuner alone can deliver.

Design Excellence

Design by committee? There is no committee. There is only Henrik Fisker, the designer. And it shows in every curve. Every line. Every elegant proportion. Every element of the car is a singular work of art. Timeless. Muscular. Dynamic and extremely high quality. The adjectives can pour forth but words pale beside the experience of Fisker Coachbuild.

One glance at the new car’s muscular lines, and its clear that the roots lie clearly in the Fisker signature style. The Fisker Coachbuild grille takes its place in the pantheon of enduring automotive designs. Its inspiration: a jet aircraft skimming the surface, the F/A 22 Raptor – bold and powerful, with limitless possibilities.

To bring those designs to life, a new development process has been created by operations chief Bernhard Koehler. By moving efficiently from sketches to three-dimensional styling and clay modeling, Fisker Coachbuild is able to bring details into focus early on in the design process. State-of-the-art digitizing and scanning technology helps ensure proper design proportions. Final-stage design involves crafting a full-sized feasibility model before we proceed to tooling production.