Fisker Automotive, the leading manufacturer of luxury Electric Vehicles with extended range (EVer™), today announced that it had surpassed BMW, Mercedes and Audi to become the second-highest selling brand in the segment for high-end four-door models in the first quarter of the year.

The Fisker Karma Sedan, launched in December 2011 to critical acclaim, out-sold the BMW 7-series, Mercedes S-class and Audi A8 in the competitive Dutch market, in the January-April period. It is thought to be the first time that an ultra-low emission hybrid car has outsold combustion engine rivals.

Tom LaSorda, Fisker Automotive Chief Executive, said: “This is a great achievement for Fisker and signals the potential demand in Europe, where we intend to sell 40 per cent of our output. It is an encouraging sign of progress following the Karma launch. But we have much more to do as we bring new models to market.”

The Fisker Karma, which emits just 53g/km of CO2, came second in Dutch luxury vehicles sales only to the Porsche Panamera. Owners of Karma models benefit from attractive tax incentives on the vehicle, reflecting its low emissions and the environmental benefits of its lithium ion batteries.

Last week, the Karma received a First Prize in the International Design Awards (IDA) competition and a silver trophy for innovation at the Edison Awards. These latest accolades add to the growing number of awards won during the Karma’s debut year.

International Design Awards

The International Design Awards (IDA) exist to celebrate the world’s most visionary design, discover new and emerging talent, and promote the appreciation of design worldwide. This year the judging panel of international experts awarded First Prize in the Transportation Competition to the Fisker Karma.

Architects and designers of interiors, high-end fashion luxury products, and graphics submitted entries from more than 65 countries throughout the world. Judging was a rigorous process, with winners to be recognized in print in the prestigious 2013 International Design Awards Book of Designs.

“As a car designer, there’s nothing like having your work recognized and appreciated by other people in different disciplines of the same industry,” said Fisker co-founder and executive design director Henrik Fisker. “We are honored to have the IDA recognize and endorse the sleek and bold design of the Fisker Karma.”

Edison Awards

This year’s Edison Awards celebrated its 25th anniversary of honoring the best in innovation and excellence in the development of new products and services, so it was particularly special that Fisker Automotive was voted a silver winner for its Karma luxury plug-in hybrid vehicle.

An Edison Award is one of the highest accolades a company can receive in the name of innovation and business. Fisker joined hundreds of senior executives from some of the world’s most recognized companies at a ceremony in New York to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all of the 2012 Edison Award winners.

The ballot of nominees for the Edison Awards was judged by a panel of more than 3,000 leading business executives including past award winners, members of the Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG), academics and leaders in the fields of product development, design, engineering, science and medicine.

Thomas Stat, 2012 Edison Awards Steering Committee Chairman said, “As the pace of innovation quickens and the “race to next” becomes ever more competitive, it’s increasingly important to take a moment out of our hectic lives to recognize excellence in innovation and greatness in the teams of innovators who make our future. We are honored to present Fisker Automotive with an Edison Award as one of the leading innovators of today and tomorrow.”

“I had the privilege to directly experience the elegance, luxury, and power of the Edison Award-winning 2012 Fisker Karma in New York City. I’ve never seen so many heads turned from pedestrians and other drivers as the Fisker Karma drove past them,” he added.

Tom LaSorda, Fisker’s CEO said, “Fisker Automotive is an emerging company driven by American innovation. That’s why we think it’s great that the Karma’s bold and disruptive approach has been recognized with an Edison Award, which is often reserved for larger corporations.”

Alongside these latest two awards, in the last few months the Fisker Karma was also named BBC Top Gear’s Luxury Car of the Year – the first American car ever to win such an award.The Fisker Karmaalsowon Automobile Magazine’s 2012 Design of the Year Award – one of five American cars to win in the award’s 23 year history – and was nominated as one of TIME Magazine’s 50 Best Inventions of 2011.

Fisker Automotive, the leading manufacturer of luxury Electric Vehicles with extended range (EVer™), announced today a significant expansion in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). The US automaker has signed an exclusive agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group, one of the region’s most experienced automotive distributors, to build its sales presence in fast-growing markets for performance and luxury vehicles. Henrik Fisker, executive chairman, said: “Fisker Automotive is committed to changing the automotive landscape globally, delivering a more sustainable future through our products. It’s essential for us to compete strongly in the Middle East and Gulf region as the company expands outside America and extends its reach globally.”

This is the latest model in the company’s expanding line up of extended-range luxury electric cars.

[Join the discussion in our Fisker Atlantic Forum].

Revealed as a design prototype at a special VIP preview event the night before the New York Auto Show press days begin, the Fisker Atlantic design prototype is a luxury four-door sporting sedan with a practical interior. It is aimed at young families who want to drive an impactful, high-end vehicle while making a positive statement about responsibilities – both in terms of their commitment to sustainability and the practicalities of everyday life.

[View with PicLens]

The Atlantic uses the latest second generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) technology. It will offer all the benefits of electric drive while at the same time eliminating the “range anxiety” experienced with an all-electric powertrain.

Like the Karma sedan, the Fisker Atlantic is a plug-in series hybrid vehicle that allows drivers to switch manually or automatically between electric and gasoline driving modes and sustain the charge of its lithium ion batteries on the move.

Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, which acts as a generator and is not mechanically connected to the wheels, is tuned to offer maximum economy and high torque. This Atlantic EVer powertrain will offer highly competitive performance for a car in its class. The standard powertrain will be configured for rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive version will be offered as an option.

The Atlantic design prototype’s glass roof shows off a ridged ‘spider’ structure. This incredibly strong construction also allows the Atlantic to offer a remarkable amount of rear headroom for a car with its sleek, coupe-like stance. This high-tech approach fulfills and surpasses all current and future rollover safety and crash-test requirements worldwide. The Fisker Atlantic’s long wheelbase also affords extra legroom for rear passengers and more space in the trunk.

The unique, exciting styling of the Atlantic retains and progresses Fisker’s signature design DNA. Henrik Fisker and his design team set out to create the most beautiful and dramatic vehicle in its class. Much of the design was inspired by nature, for example, the dynamic side theme, with strong sculptural lines that optically cross the center and over the rear wheels of the car. This gives a sense of power – replicating the stance of a wild tiger ready to pounce.

Further important design details to note include an evolution of the Fisker Karma signature grille, with a wider sculptured line defining the power dome on the hood. Strong creases emerge from the inside of the headlamps and continue back over the hood to elongate the car. The sharp headlights themselves give an ‘eagle eye’ with a strength of strong character not seen on a production car before. These touches allow the Atlantic to create a greater rear-view mirror presence than any other vehicle in its class.

Additionally, the rear door handles have been elegantly integrated in the rear C-pillars, to continue the sense and look of a sporting coupe without losing the practicality of a four-door sedan. The extremely slim LED tail lamps use the latest technology allowing them to split into two parts to offer a wider aperture for the trunk opening. The rear end of the car is clean and aerodynamically shaped, with a sharp spoiler lip on the trunk that runs down over the side of the car to enhance aerodynamic performance.

Overall, the Fisker Atlantic’s dimensions are comparable to those of an Audi A5. It has been engineered inside and out to offer a dynamic yet compact feel on the road.

“We are exceptionally proud of the Atlantic design prototype, and believe we have created another groundbreaking car that looks and will drive like nothing else on the road in this class,” said Henrik Fisker, co-founder, Executive Chairman, and Design Director of Fisker Automotive.

“Fisker Automotive is transitioning from a start-up automaker to a fully-fledged mainstream car manufacturer and the Atlantic is a crucial milestone in that process,” said Tom LaSorda, CEO Fisker Automotive. “We have a long way to go, but in the near future Fisker intends to deliver this exceptional American-designed, engineered, and manufactured vehicle to showrooms worldwide.”

“I’m confident the Fisker Atlantic will inspire people and win the brand many new customers who may not have considered an EVer powered vehicle like this before.”

More details on the Fisker Atlantic, including statistics, prices and an on-sale date will be given closer to the launch of the production car.

Fisker Automotive has announced a significant upgrade to the VIP Customer Care Coverage included with the purchase of all 2012 Model Year Karma vehicles. This new initiative will apply both to existing and future 2012 Model Year Karma customers.

Fisker decided to make this enhancement in response to the fact that its high-voltage battery supplier, A123 Systems, discovered a latent manufacturing defect in some prismatic cells made in its Livonia, Michigan facility that could result in battery underperformance and decreased durability. As a result, A123 is replacing all impacted battery modules and packs for the Fisker Karma.

Read A123 Systems’ press release here or at http://www.a123systems.com

The enhanced customer care package includes:

A complete battery replacement at no cost for all affected 2012 MY
Fisker Karma owners

All North American customers will receive a full vehicle warranty
extension from 50 months/50,000 miles to 60 months/60,000 miles.

In Europe, coverage also will be extended from 48 months/100,000

km to 60 months/100,000 km.

Fisker CEO Tom LaSorda said, “The entire Fisker Team is committed to the complete satisfaction of our customers and their experience with our vehicles. As a new technology start-up Company, we have stepped up to many challenges in our short history as we have launched one of the most advanced electric vehicles with extended range in the world.”

Fisker has been working closely with A123 Systems regarding a high-voltage battery power loss experienced in one of our customer’s vehicles, belonging to Consumer Reports.

The problem was traced to the A123 battery pack by Fisker’s Quality SWAT Team. The top management from both companies immediately established teams to work together to find the actual root cause. Fisker Automotive’s CEO, Tom La Sorda visited the A123 facility to support this initiative.

“We especially want to thank our valued customers for their ongoing support and continued confidence in us,” said LaSorda. These “early adopters” have the vision to embrace this new technology and become brand advocates as we launch the Fisker Karma in the many markets around the world. To them, we say a special “Thank You” and know they will appreciate these added customer care benefits,” he added

Fisker will work with our distributors, retailers and customers to communicate the details and status of this voluntary battery exchange program.

In addition, Fisker’s Quality SWAT Team also has been working aggressively on the next generation vehicle software upgrade to improve the vehicle experience to customers, with a release planned in the next few days.

“We have delivered over 630 vehicles to customers in North America and Europe since sales began at the end of last year. Our customers continue to report the excitement they feel when they drive their Karma. The design is so unique that the car draws attention like no other; the electric powertrain is so quiet and the handling is exhilarating. We look forward to satisfying many more customers in the months and years ahead,” adds LaSorda.

Fisker Automotive is holding a special event ahead of the New York Auto Show to share with media, retailers and the public a business update and give a glimpse of the future of the company. The Fisker Nina is expected to be revealed, as hinted by the teaser image above.

Join the Fisker Nina discussion in our forums.

For discussion of Fisker Karma insurance quotes, visitors and registered members of Fisker Buzz can view the following discussion thread:

Fisker Karma insurance

The following vendor in the UK:
Fisker Karma insurance

Or start a new thread in our Fisker Karma forum:
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Tom LaSorda

Co-Founder Henrik Fisker Becomes Executive Chairman of the Company

Fisker Automotive is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Co-Founder Henrik Fisker will become Executive Chairman of the company, and Tom LaSorda is appointed CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, with full responsibility for the running of the company’s day to day operations.

Henrik Fisker, who co-founded Fisker Automotive in 2007 after an illustrious design career at brands including BMW and Aston Martin, will focus on building the Fisker brand in global markets and the styling and design of future Fisker models.

“We have created a new automotive company, launched a new Electric Vehicle extended range technology and brought the Fisker Karma to market successfully in a remarkably short timeframe,” says Henrik Fisker.

“The Fisker Karma is the first car designed and engineered in America to win BBC Top Gear’s prestigious Luxury Car of the Year Award, as well as numerous other accolades, and that is something of which I am immensely proud.”

“I am looking forward to working closely with Tom as we steer the company into its future as an iconic global automotive brand with a range of desirable cars that offer environmentally responsible luxury.”

Tom LaSorda, who joined the company as Vice Chairman of the Board and executive advisor to the management team in December, will assume full CEO responsibilities and day to day operational management.

A well-known industry executive, with more than 30-years experience, LaSorda was a former CEO, President and Vice Chairman of the Chrysler Group and also held a number of executive positions at General Motors over a 23 year career.

“I am delighted to be assuming such a central role at this exciting time in Fisker Automotive’s history,” says LaSorda.

“The Fisker Automotive team has designed and engineered a great range-extended electric car with industry leading technology and it gives me great pleasure to be working together with the co-founders, Henrik Fisker and Barny Koehler to build Fisker Automotive into a global automotive company.”

“As part of our future strategy, we will be seeking strong partnerships and alliances as Fisker continues to grow as a brand.”

With the re-organization, Chairman of the Board, Ray Lane will assume a lead director role, as Henrik Fisker takes on the Executive Chairman role.

“Ray has been an invaluable guide and help to us as we have grown this company and its financial strength over the past few years. For a company to raise over $860m of private equity is a remarkable achievement and Ray’s support and guidance has been a key factor in that,” remarks Henrik Fisker.

“I am looking forward to working with the new leadership team as we move to the next level in the company’s history,” says Ray Lane.

• Fisker Automotive’s product strategy is to first and foremost establish strong Karma sales worldwide in 2012 and generate a strong business, and then to plan for the introduction of Nina at Delaware Assembly with the help of a loan from the DOE or other sources.

• With Karma we have made tremendous progress in a very short amount of time, developing and launching an all-new luxury plug-in hybrid Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer) that is taking the auto industry in a new direction.

• With Project Nina, we have completed Phase One of the re-commissioning of a former General Motors plant in Wilmington, Delaware.

• We have temporarily delayed work at the plant based on ongoing discussions with the DOE regarding funding for the Project Nina program. As a result, we have laid-off 26 people.

• A flex model of expanding and contracting staffing for development of new cars is routine in the automotive industry. Project Nina is already well-advanced. Much of the engineering, design and development is near complete and we expect to ramp up operations again quickly.

• To date we have received $193m of the $529m DOE loan, mostly for the Karma (K) program, and received our last reimbursement in May 2011. We are renegotiating some terms of the DOE agreement for the $336m balance of the loan related to the Project Nina program

• Fisker Automotive is in the middle of discussions with the DOE, however Fisker has been, and continues to pursue, alternative funding sources. We have successfully raised an additional $260 million of equity in late 2011, bringing the total amount of private equity financing to more than $850 million.

+ WIND TURBINE CHARGES KARMA AT ILLINOIS ECO RESTAURANT

Savvy Karma owners eating out at The Great Escape restaurant in Shiller Park, Illinois, have been able to charge-up their luxury plug-in hybrids for free and with zero environmental impact, after the restaurant fitted EV charging stations to a giant wind turbine. Keen to do their bit for the environment and to reduce dependence of foreign oil, the restaurant owners erected the 112-footwind turbine in 2009, providing well over 50-70 percent of their energy needs in a sustainable way – and leaving plenty of energy over to charge up a few Karmas during lunchtime.

+ KARMA CONTINUES TO WIN AWARDS

Henrik Fisker, CEO, and executive design director, says he is “happy, humbled and very proud” of the number of international awards the Karma has continued to receive in its debut sales year. In recent weeks, this has included Top Gear’s Luxury Car of the Year, Automobile’s Design of the Year Award, listing in TIME Magazine’s Top 50 Innovations of 2012, a Global Green Design Award, and noted Swiss magazine Schweizer Illustrierte named the Karma their Most Stylish Car of 2012. Commenting on the success, Henrik Fisker said, “We have always had a great deal of faith in the appeal of the cars we create, but to have that recognized by critics so early on in the Karma’s lifespan is really fantastic.”

+ FISKER DOES DEALERSHIPS DIFFERENTLY

Fisker dealerships are emerging worldwide, with 45 already up and running in the US alone. In keeping with Fisker Automotive’s philosophy of utilizing existing resources wherever possible, the company has tried to avoid building new facilities from the ground up. Instead, Fisker is recycling previously occupied car showrooms and transforming them into new environmentally friendly ones with showrooms furnished with environmentally responsible furniture. This means using sustainable materials in construction, such as reclaimed wood flooring and color and materials containing glass and reclaimed wood veneers. Technology tables with touch-screen functionality allow consumers to configure and order their Karma while cutting out the use of traditional paper sales materials. Fisker retailers are also installing the first ever solar-powered dealership signs, designed specifically for Fisker Automotive, which contain recycled components, are low maintenance and operate on cloudy days with less than two amps of power. These signs reflect the overall mission of Fisker Automotive, which is Uncompromised Responsible Luxury™.