Fisker Automotive, an electric car manufacturer based out of Southern California announced that it had laid off employees and contractors at both their headquarters and assembly facility in Wilmington, Delaware as they attempt to renegotiate terms from their $529-million loan from the US Department of Energy.

Fisker spokesman, Roger Ormisher, recently told the Associated Press that Fisker Automotive hopes that they can “reach a resolution soon” with the Department of Energy on revised terms on their low-interest loans. Recently, Fisker missed critical deadlines on the development of their second vehicle which is currently called Project Nina. Project Nina is supposed to be a mid-sized, plug-in sedan to complement the already existing Karma model.

Even though Fisker claims that much of the design, engineering, development, and testing has been done on Project Nina, the automaker said in October that production wouldn’t begin until mid-2013 though some production would occur before the end of 2012.

The Fisker Karma hasn’t been a huge success either, marketed as a range-extended electric luxury sport sedan. It had several delays in its launch and recently went through a recall to prevent a potential battery-pack leak. The layoffs that were announced included 40 employees and contractors in Anaheim, California and 26 workers at their Wilmington plant. Fisker Automotive is currently looking to conserve its cash while renegotiating their loans.

GALLERY: Fisker Karma

[Source: Associated Press]

The world’s first luxury electric car, the Fisker Karma, is currently on display at the one of the world’s most famous department stores, Harrods in Knightsbridge, London. The Karma will be on display throughout the busy winter sale period until February 4th, 2012.

Those interested in purchasing a Fisker Karma will be connected with international dealers for test drives but will be able to take a tour of the vehicle at Harrods and offered the chance to virtually configure their own model.

The 2012 Fisker Karma is priced from $102,000 and is the world’s first true luxury electric vehicle. Harrods offers the finest merchandise with unrivaled choice and a bespoke personal service, attracting loyal customers from all around the world.

“Harrods is one of the most prestigious retail sites in the world, which is perfect for our car,” said Henrik Fisker, co-founder and CEO of Fisker Automotive. “The landmark store attracts hundreds of thousands of customers from all over the world during January, and we look forward to introducing them to Fisker Automotive.”

Before the New Year, Fisker announced that their Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sedan would be recalled for a potential battery coolant leak issue, and it appears that they’ve worked quickly to resolve it. Now the American green car automaker has said that a majority of all customer cars and dealer-held vehicles with the A123-supplied battery pack have brand new battery packs fitted, or a repair has been done to the hose clamp assembly.

It’s been a mere two weeks since Fisker was first made aware of the issue, so kudos to them for acting quickly in resolving the issue. The remaining customers have already been contacted and appointments are in the books for their replacement battery installations.

“We will always react quickly to ensure the safety and quality of our cars. We decided that the immediate replacement of the battery pack in every vehicle was the right approach for all our customers,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive. “We identified the appropriate fix, made our retailers aware of the situation and began contacting all our customers within 48 hours and were well advanced with the recall ourselves before the official posting on the NHSTA website.”

Fisker Automotive is looking to hire 120 workers at its newly refurbished Delaware plant as the company gears up for its second electric vehicle,  a sedan code-named Project Nina.

Although the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid has still not gone on sale, Fisker is looking to hire assembly line workers as well as engineering staff and electro-mechanical technicians. A further 80 workers will be hired in 2012. Fisker acquired the Wilmington, Delaware plant from General Motors.

“This is an exciting time for Fisker. As we bring the Fisker Karma sedan to market and start delivering to customers, we are simultaneously starting to employ a world-class American workforce to build world-class American electric vehicles with extended range (EVer) in a re-commissioned American plant,” said Fisker COO Bernard Koehler.

Plug-in automotive upstart Fisker Automotive have had their share of delays, but the company is still working on expanding its product portfolio, even though the first customer cars have still not been delivered.

While many were hoping to have taken delivery of the Karma plug-in hybrid sedan last year, delays have pushed that date to later this year. But they are getting closer, as Henrik Fisker allowed a few European journalists to have a go in a pre-production model earlier this year, and the latest version was sitting pretty at the recent Geneva Motor Show.

Now Henrik’s business partner Barney Koehler has given a little more insight as to what the company is upto. Speaking with Automotive World, he said; “After Karma, there will be another car, which we are launching in Frankfurt this year, and selling six months later. Then there will be Sunset (convertible), one year later. We have one platform for Karma and two derivatives, meaning a total of three body styles. … We want to keep it under wraps. It’s a good-looking car, and our dealers are going crazy about it. They love it, and they love the fact that it will be available so soon.”

Koehler added that this new model will also be built by Valmet in Finland.  He also mentioned that Fisker expects to sell 7000 vehicles this year and about 15000 in 2012. We wish them all the best, and guys, feel free to drop us a test car or two at the AutoGuide office.

[Source: Automotive World]

Montecito Motors in Santa Barbara, California has listed this 2008 Fisker Latigo CS on eBay. With a starting bid of $90,000, the coachbuilt BMW M6 was designed by Henrik Fisker who also designed the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage.

It’s a small price to pay to own something so unique on the road, but it’s hard to believe it’ll stay in the high 5-digit, low 6-digit range, especially considering the original (one of just 150 in the world) costs well over $340,000. The exterior body work is handbuilt and the interior has been re-trimmed. The 5.0L V10 under the hood has received a few tidbits to overhaul horsepower to 648 thanks to Racing Dynamics. The car also sports a set of 20-inch Fisker proprietary wheels.

So you like the majority of the BMW M6 but you’re not a fan of the exterior styling? Maybe this Fisker Latigo CS V10 is for you if your wallet’s deep enough.

GALLERY: Fisker Latigo CS V10

[Source: eBay]

Having recently been awarded a $500 million loan by the U.S. government to build affordable pug-in hybrids, Fisker Automotive is expected to build those cars at a shuttered General Motors plant in Delaware. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce tomorrow that the California-based Fisker company will revive the Boxwood Road facility in Wilmington.

The plant, which built the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and their Opel variant, closed only recently as a result of GM’s decision to eliminate the Pontiac brand and sell-off Saturn.

The half billion dollar loan that Fisker recently received is part of the Department of Energy’s $25 billion Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program. Fisker said it, “represents a significant step in America’s future.”

A portion of the loan will go towards final development of the luxurious and expensive Karma PHEV. The Karma uses a technology similar to the Chevy Volt, but is considerably more powerful, allowing the 403hp luxury car to hit 62 mph in six seconds while getting 67 mpg. It can drive on pure electric power for up to 50 miles, with a total extended range of 300 miles.

The majority of the loan will go towards building a new generation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that will cost $39,900 after tax credits.

Fisker says the project will create or save at least 5,000 jobs among U.S. auto suppliers and in manufacturing the hybrids.

[Source: DetroitFreePress]

Fisker Automotive, the company that beat both General Motors and Toyota to market with a plug-in hybrid, has been awarded a $527 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop affordable plug-in hybrids.

The majority of the loan will go towards building a new generation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that will cost $39,900 after tax credits. The remainder will go towards final development of the Karma PHEV. The Karma uses a technology similar to the Chevy Volt, but is considerably more powerful, allowing the 403hp luxury car to hit 62 mph in six seconds while getting 67 mpg. It can drive on pure electric power for up to 50 miles, with a total extended range of 300 miles.

The loan is part of the Department of Energy’s $25 billion Advanced Technologies Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program.

Fisker is calling its new initiative Project NINA, after the ship belonging to Christopher Columbus, symbolizing a move from an old word to a new world.

“This conditional loan represents a significant step in America’s future,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO. “With it Fisker Automotive can rapidly develop affordable clean cars that satisfy our passion for driving and help restore the U.S. as an auto industry leader.”

Fisker says the project will create or save at least 5,000 jobs among U.S. auto suppliers and in manufacturing the hybrids.

[Source: Yahoo]

Ahead of its German debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week Fisker has just released the expected fuel economy numbers for the four-door Karma plug-in hybrid. The 403hp luxury sedan has been rated at an impressive 67 mpg (3.5L/100 km).

While offering fuel-economy better than vehicles like the Toyota Prius, the Karma promises a luxurious and spacious cabin, a sporty drive and a 0-62 mph time of about six seconds.

As a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) similar to the upcoming Chevy Volt, the Karma will be able to drive on pure electric power for up to 50 miles, with a total extended range of 300 miles. Fisker’s calculations say the car is capable of using just three cents of gasoline per mile, with an average of seven cents per mile a more realistic real-world number.

“The Fisker Karma is the future of driving,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO.  “It proves we can drive environmentally responsible cars without sacrificing the emotional things that made us fall in love with cars in the first place.”

Official release after the jump:

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