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  • Video: Fox News Criticizes DOE Loans to Fisker and Tesla

    Video: Fox News Criticizes DOE Loans to Fisker and Tesla October 2nd, 2009 By Robert Scardino's avatar Robert Scardino, Author, October 2nd, 2009 Robert Scardino 13 Comments

    Video: Fox News Criticizes DOE Loans to Fisker and Tesla

    While discussing two upstart electric car companies, contributors to the self proclaimed "fair and balanced" Fox News Channel (FNC) have proven that they are not smarter than a fifth grader. Jeff Foxworthy didn't even have to ask a single question.

    In reports criticizing recent Department of Energy (DOE) loans offered to Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors, FNC managed to murder the truth so brutally that hosts, Martha MacCallum and Neil Cavuto should appear on an episode of Cops.

    To their credit, Fox correctly reported that the DOE has committed $529 million to Fisker. Beyond that, accuracy was laid to rest, as the segments chided the...

    While discussing two upstart electric car companies, contributors to the self proclaimed "fair and balanced" Fox News Channel (FNC) have proven that they are not smarter than a fifth grader. Jeff Foxworthy didn't even have to ask a single question. In reports criticizing recent Department of Energy (DOE) loans offered to Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors, FNC managed to murder the truth so brutally that hosts, Martha MacCallum and Neil Cavuto should appear on an episode of Cops. To their credit, Fox correctly reported that the DOE has committed $529 million to Fisker. Beyond that, accuracy was laid to rest, as the segments chided the government for supporting a company with ties to former Democratic Vice President, Al Gore. MacCallum neglected to mention that former Republican Secretary of State, Colin Powell, is a strategic limited partner for the same venture capital firm that Gore represents: KPCB. KPCB has already invested in Fisker, so it's no surprise that they'd lobby the government to do so. MacCallum also insinuated that all of Fisker's loan money would be spent to create jobs in Finland, mentioning the Nordic country three times in five minutes. In a related report on Your World with Neil Cavuto, FNC contributor, Stephen Moore repeatedly referred to Fisker as "this Finland company." Moore's apparent misunderstanding of when to use the word "Finnish" wasn't his only mistake. While Fisker does plan to assemble their high-profile Karma sedan in Finland, the company is based in Irvine, California and has an engineering office in Pontiac, Michigan. Moore also mentioned a British company. He seemed to be referring to Tesla Motors, which is based in San Carlos, California and has already produced America's first highway legal all-electric car. The Tesla Roadster is assembled in the U.K. The following tidbits were among the other convenient omissions in FNC's coverage of the DOE loans: MacCallum questioned how the $89,000 Fisker Karma would "make any impact on people who are just trying to buy a good car that's fuel efficient? They cannot afford to buy these." Less than one third of Fisker's loan money will be spent to finalize the design of the Karma. 65% of the vehicle's parts will come from U.S. suppliers. The remainder of the loan money will be applied to "Project Nina," Fisker's effort to produce a plug-in hybrid priced at $39,000 after tax credits. MacCallum stated that "There's another company, Tesla Motors, and they got $465 million from the same program. They're building a car that costs $109,000." While these two statements taken independently are true, none of the $465 million will finance the $109,000 U.K.-built Roadster. The loan is intended to help fund the development and production of the future, Model S sedan which will sell for $49,900 after tax credits. The Model S will be built in Southern California. MacCallum mentioned that "There are lots of other companies who applied for this money and didn't get it." In fact, one very American automaker received loan commitments of $5.9 billion - more than ten times the amount of Fisker's loans. They're called Ford Motor Company and they also assemble cars overseas, with foreign-made parts. In response to the FNC reports, Fisker issued a statement of their own, available in full at their website. Likewise, Tesla offered a blog post earlier this week to clarify how they intend to use the DOE loans. Check out the FNC segments in full below. Sources: Fox News, U.S. Department of Energy, Hybrid Cars, Autoblog Green, Media Matters, Fisker Automotive, Tesla Motors Read More

  • Fisker Karma To Take Laps At Monterey Historic Automobile Races

    Fisker Karma To Take Laps At Monterey Historic Automobile Races July 23rd, 2009 By Robert Scardino's avatar Robert Scardino, Author, July 23rd, 2009 Robert Scardino 3 Comments

    Fisker Karma To Take Laps At Monterey Historic Automobile Races

    It's one thing to put a car on display. Fisker has been there and done that. Now, they'll put their prototype to the test on the racetrack. As part of the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the Fisker Karma will complete two laps around the 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

    The Karma will be the first plug-in hybrid ever to grace the track at the Monterey Historics on August 15. If you'd rather see it standing still (which might be easier, given how fast it goes) the Karma will be on display alongside its hardtop convertible sibling (a.k.a. Karma Sunset) at the Concorso Italiano on August 14. The Sunset can be viewed again at the...

    It's one thing to put a car on display. Fisker has been there and done that. Now, they'll put their prototype to the test on the racetrack. As part of the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the Fisker Karma will complete two laps around the 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Karma will be the first plug-in hybrid ever to grace the track at the Monterey Historics on August 15. If you'd rather see it standing still (which might be easier, given how fast it goes) the Karma will be on display alongside its hardtop convertible sibling (a.k.a. Karma Sunset) at the Concorso Italiano on August 14. The Sunset can be viewed again at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 16. "The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history," said Henrik Fisker, Fisker Automotive CEO. "Fisker is honored to be a part of it." If you're in the area that day, head to Turn 5 of the Raceway around 11:oo a.m. to see how the Karma moves. You might even catch a glimpse of Henrik Fisker, who is expected to be on hand for media interviews. Sources: Fisker Automotive, Jalopnik Read More

  • Fisker Distinguishes His Company From Tesla, Chevy

    Fisker Distinguishes His Company From Tesla, Chevy July 3rd, 2009 By Robert Scardino Robert Scardino, Author, July 3rd, 2009 Robert Scardino 0 Comments

    Fisker Distinguishes His Company From Tesla, Chevy

    In the world of electric performance cars, there are two names to know: Fisker and Tesla. The man behind the upcoming $87,900 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan wants you to know the difference. Seasoned auto designer and CEO of Fisker Coachbuild, Henrik Fisker has an enviable résumé for any car enthusiast. He designed the Aston Martin DB9, V8 Vantage and the BMW Z8 to name a few.

    Now he's set his sights on making an environmentally friendly sports car, but it's not only the look of his new creation that he believes will set it apart from the competition. “The full-electric car [a la Tesla] is a niche market. Plug-in hybrids have a...

    In the world of electric performance cars, there are two names to know: Fisker and Tesla. The man behind the upcoming $87,900 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan wants you to know the difference. Seasoned auto designer and CEO of Fisker Coachbuild, Henrik Fisker has an enviable résumé for any car enthusiast. He designed the Aston Martin DB9, V8 Vantage and the BMW Z8 to name a few. Now he's set his sights on making an environmentally friendly sports car, but it's not only the look of his new creation that he believes will set it apart from the competition. “The full-electric car [a la Tesla] is a niche market. Plug-in hybrids have a much bigger market,” said Fisker at a meeting of the Western Automotive Journalists association. The potential growth of the plug-in hybrid market is what Fisker believes has helped him raise the venture capital for his upcoming vehicles. Like Tesla, Fisker plans to mass market a lower cost model at some point in the future. "There’s no reason we can’t eventually produce hundreds of thousands of cars a year," Fisker said. Right now though, he says his company will achieve profitability after only 5,000 sales of the more expensive Karma. Plug-in hybrids don't have the range anxiety issues that are inhibiting mass adoption of full-electric vehicles, which is clearly an advantage to Fisker. As for competition from other, similar plug-ins like the Chevy Volt, Henrik isn't concerned. "It's a Chevy," he says. Let's hope GM doesn't take offense to that remark. It's the General that's supplying Fisker with the 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine to recharge the batteries in his hybrid after its 50-mile all-electric range runs out. Source: Hybrid Cars Read More

  • Fisker Karma Sunset Named 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year

    Fisker Karma Sunset Named 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year June 24th, 2009 By Robert Scardino Robert Scardino, Author, June 24th, 2009 Robert Scardino 4 Comments

    Fisker Karma Sunset Named 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year

    You can't bring a Fisker Karma Sunset home yet, but it can already be dubbed "award-winning." That's because the eagerly anticipated plug-in hybrid hardtop convertible was named the 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year on Tuesday. The award is reserved for vehicles based on an existing model that has been announced or planned for production.

    The Karma Sunset was chosen by a panel of automotive journalists over a list of seven other finalists from major automakers. The Sunset uses the same "Q Drive" powertrain as the Karma sedan, which is powered by two electric motors. A 2.0 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine from GM,...

    You can't bring a Fisker Karma Sunset home yet, but it can already be dubbed "award-winning." That's because the eagerly anticipated plug-in hybrid hardtop convertible was named the 2009 North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year on Tuesday. The award is reserved for vehicles based on an existing model that has been announced or planned for production. The Karma Sunset was chosen by a panel of automotive journalists over a list of seven other finalists from major automakers. The Sunset uses the same "Q Drive" powertrain as the Karma sedan, which is powered by two electric motors. A 2.0 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine from GM, mated to a generator, charges the lithium-ion battery that stores power for the motors. Fisker estimates that a fully charged Karma will go 50 miles before the gas engine has to kick in. "As the industry's emerging paradigm shift rewrites the book on how cars are designed and manufactured, the Fisker Karma Sunset concept is a bellwether for the auto industry's second century," said Tom Kelley, juror and founder of the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. We hope so. You can reserve your convertible Karma for a cool $25,000 today. Source: Fisker via PR Newswire Read More

  • Fisker Dealership Coming to South Florida

    Fisker Dealership Coming to South Florida June 18th, 2009 By Robert Scardino Robert Scardino, Author, June 18th, 2009 Robert Scardino 0 Comments

    Fisker Dealership Coming to South Florida

    If you live in South Florida, your Fisker dealership is on its way. Car selling veteran, Warren Henry Zinn, plans to open a Fisker Chic showroom in North Dade County by the fourth quarter of 2009. The new facility will showcase Fisker's $87,900 plug-in hybrid Karma sports sedan.

    Zinn's current network of dealerships sells the likes of Jaguars, Land Rovers, Volvos and Infinitis, so he should be no stranger to the desires of discriminating car buyers. That experience will be put to good use, as each Fisker customer will work with one "Personal Concierge," throughout the whole purchase process and thereafter when scheduling service. That means...

    If you live in South Florida, your Fisker dealership is on its way. Car selling veteran, Warren Henry Zinn, plans to open a Fisker Chic showroom in North Dade County by the fourth quarter of 2009. The new facility will showcase Fisker's $87,900 plug-in hybrid Karma sports sedan. Zinn's current network of dealerships sells the likes of Jaguars, Land Rovers, Volvos and Infinitis, so he should be no stranger to the desires of discriminating car buyers. That experience will be put to good use, as each Fisker customer will work with one "Personal Concierge," throughout the whole purchase process and thereafter when scheduling service. That means no more trips to the shifty "finance guy" to close the deal. (Why can't every dealership do this?) "I am so excited to be the first to introduce Fisker Automobiles to the South Florida market. I have great confidence that the success of the Karma will change the direction of the automobile industry to be more eco-conscious while still delivering luxury and incredible performance," said Zinn. We hope he's right. Source: Reuters Read More

  • High Volume Fisker for 2011?

    High Volume Fisker for 2011? May 13th, 2009 By Robert Scardino's avatar Robert Scardino, Author, May 13th, 2009 Robert Scardino 1 Comment

    High Volume Fisker for 2011?

    Fisker Automotive is making some audacious claims about their future vehicle lineup. They've already committed to producing the Fisker Karma sedan for 2010, and the Karma Convertible for 2011. Now they're planning a third Karma-based vehicle and a high volume entry level model. CEO, Henrik Fisker believes all of these vehicles will be on the road in just over two years.

    “We’re first doing the four-door and then we’re doing the convertible and then we’re planning some third derivative off the Karma platform. Then we’re planning a high-volume vehicle for a lower price. We’ve applied for a Department of Energy grant. If that loan comes...

    Fisker Automotive is making some audacious claims about their future vehicle lineup. They've already committed to producing the Fisker Karma sedan for 2010, and the Karma Convertible for 2011. Now they're planning a third Karma-based vehicle and a high volume entry level model. CEO, Henrik Fisker believes all of these vehicles will be on the road in just over two years. “We’re first doing the four-door and then we’re doing the convertible and then we’re planning some third derivative off the Karma platform. Then we’re planning a high-volume vehicle for a lower price. We’ve applied for a Department of Energy grant. If that loan comes through, we’ll have this vehicle on the road in 29 months,” Fisker told The Oakland Press. "Lower price" can be defined as anything below the expected $87,900 cost of the Karma sedan, but we're hoping for a truly attainable sub-$40,000 sticker. Although seeing any production ready vehicle from Fisker will hold us over until the common man's Karma is made. Now who do we have to call about approving that DOE loan? Source: Oakland Press Read More

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