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Fisker Sets New Date For Release of Karma, Targets September 2010

 
7 2,669 views December 4, 2009

2009 Fisker Karma

2009 Fisker Karma

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The CEO of Fisker, Mr. Henrik Fisker himself, announced that production of the companies plug-in EREV Karma will be delayed slightly.  Though the delay does not comes as a surprise, its certainly a disappointment for some interested buyers.

The company had previously stated that the Karma would reach production by the end of this month.  However, delays in the design and engineering process have made that goal unobtainable.  It's not really surprising that the Karma will be delayed.  The company itself was founded only two years ago and getting a production ready EREV to market in that brief time frame seemed to be impossible from the start.

According to Henrik Fisker, who spoke at the L.A. Auto Show yesterday, the new target date for the release of the Fisker Karma is September of 2010.   Setting up a dealer network for the vehicle has likely added to delays.  Fisker now has 42 dealers set up within the U.S. and approximate 100 dealers throughout Europe.

The Karma is a vehicle that looks very promising to many on paper.  Its basic EREV design is similar to the Chevy Volt.  Its a series hybrid vehicle sporting a 22 kWh battery and a high output 260 horsepower GM Ecotec 4 cylinder engine.  The vehicles sporty looks are complemented by its performance.  The vehicle is capable of reaching 60 mph in under 6 seconds.  In terms of efficiency, the Karma can travel up to 50 miles under electric power only, offering numbers slightly better than the Volt.

For those interested in the Karma, the already long wait will simply be a longer.  The Karma should hit showrooms around the time that both the Leaf and Volt come to market.  The battle will be interesting.

Source:  AutoBlogGreen





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Comments (7)

  1. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 12/4/2009 7:06am PST

    Developing a dealer network and developing the vehicles are two separate efforts, so the development of the dealer network couldn't have delayed the vehicle's launch. If Fisker needs more time to refine the vehicle prior to putting it in the hands of its high end customers, so be it.
     
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  2. By Noel Park Posted: 12/4/2009 12:34pm PST

    I will be extremely impressed if the Fisker EVER shows up in a production version, and doubly so if it ever sells in any significant numbers. The infant mortality rate of start up car companies is extremely high.
     
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  3. By Rashiid Amul Posted: 12/4/2009 1:33pm PST

    Didn't Tesla start selling cars without a dealership handy? Why couldn't Fisker just sell them direct?
    I agree with Jason. What is the truth here really?
     
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  4. By Chris O Posted: 12/5/2009 12:41am PST

    If Fisker managed to get the Karma on the market by September 2009 he would have succeeded in launching a brand new model with a revolutionary drivetrain within three years after the foundation of the company. Still an extremely impressive feat. Will it succeed? Why not, it doesn't seem that expensive compared to what it offers in terms of design and performance. Maybe the whole "eco-chic" thing will catch on. Depends a lot on reception by the automotive press I suppose. One thing is for sure: the Top Gear lackeys of the ICE industry are not going to like it no matter how good it is, but then this clown show shouldn't be mistaken for serious car journalism.
     
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  5. By Chris O Posted: 12/5/2009 1:22am PST

    Eh..September 2009...I meant September 2010 of course...
     
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  6. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 12/5/2009 5:08am PST

    While I agree that 18 months might have been very tough to do, it should take / have taken less than the industry standard of 36 months. Quantum Technologies has been selling these drivetrains, and Fisker Automotive has been a coach builder, for years. Most all this is off-the-shelf for them. If they tried to stretch for more, that was their foolishness.
     
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  7. By Roy Posted: 12/6/2009 12:33am PST

    "The Karma should hit showrooms around the time that both the Leaf and Volt come to market. The battle will be interesting."
    Battle? What battle? These cars are all going after different market segments. And it is good that all these segments will have hybrid and electric options available.
     
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