Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Fisker
California-based Fisker Automotive has signed a letter of intent with Valmet Automotive to assemble its Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan in Finland beginning in late 2009. Valmet assembles cars under contract for other brands. Since the launch of the Porsche Boxster in 1997 Valmet has assembled the cars as a second source to Porsche’s own factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Porsche recently announced plans to move Boxster production to Magna Steyr in Graz Austria in 2012. Fisker Karma production will begin at Valmet in the second half of 2009, with North American deliveries expected to begin in late 2009. European deliveries of the new car should start sometime in 2010. The companies are currently projecting volumes of 15,000 cars per year. In addition to manufacturing, Valmet will also supply engineering services for Fisker. Unlike the Tesla Roadster, which is shipped to California from the Lotus factory in England as a glider, Valmet will complete production of the Karma. The Karma is planned to have a 50-mile electric range with a gasoline range extender bringing the total to 350 miles. Thanks to Joni for the tip!
[Source: Valmet Automotive]
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM, Tesla Motors, Green Daily, USA, Fisker
Chris Paine, maker of the famous (at least in these parts) documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car,” is planning a revival of the topic for his next film. Tentatively scheduled for a 2009 release and titled “Revenge of the Electric Car” (does the sequel look to get some inspiration from the Star Wars franchise?), it certainly wouldn’t be a shocker if the electric car in question were none other than the Chevy Volt. While the first documentary focused on the destruction of the EV1 from General Motors - despite the fact that many past EV owners wanted to purchase them outright - the second film appears ready to welcome the electric car back from the dead.
We’re not at all certain what the movie will focus on, but it is definitely true that electric cars are seeing a reincarnation of sorts. Tesla Motors, Fisker Automotive and General Motors all have plans to create new electric or hybrid vehicles in the coming years, along with many other major automakers. Even if it isn’t the beloved little coupe, we join Mr. Paine and the throngs of ex-EV1 drivers in welcoming the electric car’s return.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Tesla Motors, Legislation and Policy, USA, Fisker
Back in April, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Fisker Automotive for allegedly stealing insider information having to do with the production of an electric vehicle. You may recall that Henrik Fisker was hired to style the Tesla Whitestar sedan, though his designs were ultimately rejected. About a month later, word spread that Fisker had asked to have the lawsuit enter arbitration, and a hearing was set for June 11. Fast forward to today, and the hearing apparently took place as planned and court documents show that Fisker’s request for arbitration was granted.
Interestingly, those documents also reveal that the deal between Tesla and Fisker had a clause requiring the arbitration of any disagreements in a specific court. It appears that Tesla Motors went outside those terms by suing Fisker in a different court than was initially agreed upon. Not surprisingly, Henrik Fisker is “extremely pleased” with this outcome. Regardless of how things proceed between the two companies from this point forward, we can be hopeful that each company is able to bring a desirable and suitably green vehicle to market. Thanks for the tip, Doug!
[Source: CNET]
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