Earlier this month, Fisker presented its portfolio of EVs and made quite an impact by announcing that its upcoming mobility products would be made in the US and qualify for the stringent EV tax credit. But it gets even better – the Alaska pickup truck will be sold in Europe, too.
Today, Fisker produces the Ocean crossover SUV (a Tesla Model Y competitor) in Austria through a contract manufacturing deal with Magna Steyr. If the name doesn't sound familiar, you should know that the Austrian entity is also building the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
Fisker sells the Ocean in the US, Canada, and a handful of European countries. The young brand just announced that it's going to invest in opening service centers and showrooms in three new markets.
The reborn EV maker, however, wants to make the PEAR and other vehicles from its updated offer in America. The company plans to work with Foxconn to turn this goal into reality. That's great news for prospective US customers who might want federal and local incentives to apply to their purchases. It could also be positive for the environment because the supply chain would shorten considerably. Similarly, transportation over the Atlantic Ocean wouldn't be required any longer.
But Foxconn is still in a legal fight with bankrupt Lordstown, from which it bought an Ohio car plant for $230 million. As such, Fisker working together with Foxconn is not a done deal yet. We must wait for more details to pop up before rejoicing that competition in the EV space heats up. The more offers are on the market, the better for consumers.
Photo: Fisker
But investors and prospective customers should be content about another thing – the Alaska pickup truck is coming to Europe, too.
Initially, it was believed the EV was meant as a product aimed exclusively at those living in North America. Things like a special place for a cowboy hat and a large cup holder that can accommodate large 30-ounce soft drinks are associated with an American lifestyle. These characteristics indicated Alaska would be a fully Americanized vehicle.
An unexpected paradigm shift
But Fisker's ambitious and intends to trail right behind brands like Rivian or Lucid until it will catch up to Tesla. To do that, it needs many customers that will enjoy its products.
The company's CEO published a video on Instagram showing what the Alaska can do. When a netizen asked about the unit's availability in Sweden, Henrik Fisker answered, "2025." That indicates the brand will prepare to manufacture the all-electric pickup truck in both US and Europe. We might soon see an announcement that confirms the expansion of the contract manufacturing deal with Magna Steyr.
The Alaska pickup truck would be a good fit for both US and European buyers. With a starting price of $45,400 before the EV tax credit and a bed that can expand from a length of 4.5 to 7.5 feet (9.2 feet with the liftgate dropped) thanks to the "Houdini partition," the vehicle could become a strong competitor even for important units like the Rivian R1T or the Ford F-150 Lightning.
Photo: Fisker
Fisker Alaska is expected to have two battery options – 75 kWh and 113 kWh. The maximum range is 340 miles. Considering the zero to 60 mph times of 7.2 and 3.9 seconds, we could see a rear-wheel drive Alaska and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version. The tri-motor layout is reserved for the swanky Ronin.
Alaska production is expected to start in early 2025. Prospective customers can already place a reservation.
Finally, keep in mind that things in the automotive industry change often. While the product exists and Fisker seems to be very adamant about becoming a relevant EV maker, there's no guarantee that everything will work out in its favor.
Now, watch this video snippet published by Henrik Fisker that shows Alaska's strong suits. Will you be placing a refundable deposit to secure a spot in line?
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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