Fisker put production of its Karma plug-in hybrid on hold. Reason: It is running out of batteries. Bankrupt battery manufacturer A123 Systems has cut its output.
According to a Reuters report, Fisker has enough lithium-ion batteries on hand in case an owner needs a replacement, but that’s it.
A123 will be auctioned-off on December 6, and Fisker hopes to receive more clarity and hopefully batteries from the new owners.
Johnson Controls and China’s Wanxiang Group seem to be the main bidders. Other interested parties may be NEC of Japan and Germany’s Siemens. Says Reuters:
“The U.S. government said this week that A123 could not be sold without its consent. Fisker and A123 have both received funding under a federal program designed to create an advanced vehicle manufacturing base in the United States.”
The Chinese government already approved the purchase on A123 by Wanxiang.
It’s all in the marketing. So, you’re out of batteries. Do you throw in the towel or do you seize the moment? What time is it? Christmas, right? How many times at Christmas did little boys get little toy cars in boxes that were clearly marked “batteries not included”? That’s your angle: You appeal the little boy that lives in every man. You sell the Karma and include a cardboard gift box marked “batteries not included”, a red bow and little gift card. Fisker can even lower the price initially and then sell the batteries later at an inflated price.
Happy Holidays
LS swap FTW!
(sorry, couldn’t help myself)
doug-g very nice comment.
Osterhasi!
Sad about the car. So Who’s having twins?
Clever
TESLA MODEL S FTW.
youtube.com/watch?v=SWHlEC-SjFM
The Karma was NEVER going to succeed. Too small and too expensive. If you grafted that sheetmetal on top of Tesla’s BRILLIANT platform, you’d have a Karma that actually makes sense.
One’s bound to run out at some point if the Karma is battery-powered.
Not picking on them. Simple fact, a major supplier isn’t supplying. Hence no production. It would be the same if Ford suddenly didn’t have access to tires.
As a side note, the bunnies are terminally cute.
Whoops, replied to wrong post. Should have been on akatsuki’s comment.
I’m interested in buying their surplus vehicle without the battery. How about another story on Engine/Transmission swap?
I was passed by a Karma doing 75 on highway 59. I wish I owned it, but not that the price they are ssking.
Couldn’t make the Tesla thing stick anymore, so time to pick on Fisker?
Not a comment on the article. But that’s the most adorable pic I’ve ever seen.
The bunnies are just too cute!
wonder how much had Uncle sam had pumped into Fisker, if its enuf I guess US wont let the battery folks to leave or stop making batteries, is clearly between a rock & a hard place!
I’m subscribing to this article just because of the cute bunnies.