Fisker is considering building its Karma plug-in hybrid in metro Detroit, a new report finds. The Karma — which Fisker is hoping will be the first plug-in hybrid to market that uses lithium-ion batteries — was introduce earlier this month in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show.
According to Vic Doolan, Fisker’s director of retail development, metro Detroit could be the ideal location to produce the Karma because of its available capacity, experienced workforce and proximity to suppliers.
While no location has been selected yet, Doolan told the Detroit Free Press that a Michigan production facility “does make a lot of sense.”
Fisker — which is based out of Orange County, California — hopes to begin deliveries of its $80,000 Karma in the fourth quarter of 2009.
01/30, 11:26 AM
posted by:
LexusSoarer
80k seems like a bargain coming from Fisker…
It’s a damn nice looking car though.
01/30, 11:54 AM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Fisker is based out of Orange Co, Ca? I thought they were Dutch? Hmm interesting well you are very right murderdout, Michigan will indeed be happy if Fisker does decide to open a plant/production facility for the Fisker Karma. I’m curious as to where in Metro Detroit they would do this? Michigan could really use it.
01/30, 12:10 PM
posted by:
corvette
that would be great for both Detroit and Fisker.
01/30, 12:48 PM
posted by:
04focus
Fisker himself is Dutch. The company is in California.
01/30, 1:10 PM
posted by:
sharpie
Makes sense. There are lots of unemployed / underemployed auto workers in Michigan. So why not use them? The truth is that if you have lived in Detroit or the surrounding suburbs, you are somehow connected to at least one autoworker.
Also, Michigan, southern Ontario and northwestern Ohio being the places for many auto factories and part factories, Fisker can get part supplies way easier and cheaper there.
01/30, 1:22 PM
posted by:
Driven
Detroit has available workforce, suppliers and available land/buildings. I’m guessing Michigan is also willing to give major tax breaks for an employer to give jobs to its residents & create more business for the companies dependant on supplying auto manufacturers. Its a good economic decision as well as a strategic operations decision to locate in Detroit.
01/30, 1:37 PM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
I thought they were just going to go to a Home Depot in Orange County and pick up illegals.
01/30, 3:09 PM
posted by:
Ironhide
dont bother Fisker. Detriot is a desolate, barren wasteland. Go elsewhere in order to guarantee success and millions in revenue.
01/30, 3:33 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Right…. And Detroit is only America’s home for the automotive industry with more resources for all aspects of producing the a car then anywhere else in the U.S. Detroit has the available worker base, R&D manufacturing, and logistics to produce this car.
01/30, 4:21 PM
posted by:
kansei
Wow I saw the Karma at the Detroit Auto Show and I must have missed the part where it was a Fisker for only $80 grand! It’s a stunning car, well worth the money.
I guess when you don’t need to buy a Mercedes or BMW to then send to Fisker to have them do their magic you cut out a whole lot of the cost!
In other news Detroit was a horrific sight. While I was waiting at the border to get back into the states, I just saw a huge landmass of slum spread out before me. I thought Rochester/Buffalo NY were badly abandoned, Detroit tops them easily. It’s really unfortunate.
Though I’m reminded of the simpsons episode where they got the monorail –I wonder if the same happened to Detroit?
01/30, 4:37 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
well said murderdout.
01/30, 8:56 PM
posted by:
Poisonous Cinquecento
Copied 2000 Model twin turbo Maserati.
01/31, 7:31 AM
posted by:
Rover3500
Why do people think this is a bargain at 80k? Its a friggin kitcar and a bad one at that. 80k is a massive amount of money for somethign called a “fisker”….Damn, just change one letter and you have something already more unpleasant that fisker…..if thats possible.