Photo: Fisker / autoevolution edit
Fisker is trying to become one of the most well-known EV makers. It learned a precious lesson with the plug-in hybrid Karma that bankrupted the company and is now ready to make Tesla and others worry about yet another competitor. It's getting crowded out there! Fret not; that's great news for consumers.
Fisker received a new chance at life after its founder decided not to give up. It ditched gas-powered engines completely, adopted the EV strategy as its core mission, and powered on.
Most notably, the company announced that it would expand its portfolio of electric vehicles. It introduced a smaller, funkier sibling for the Ocean called the PEAR, a pickup truck named Alaska, and a limited-edition four-door convertible GT known as Ronin that might have a starting price of $385,000 and a power output of over 1,000 hp.
There's also an off-road pack available for the Ocean crossover SUV, which currently is the only vehicle Fisker is delivered to early supporters. The add-on is estimated to cost around $14,000.
But after presenting its updated portfolio and accelerating production of the Austrian-made Ocean, Fisker announced it would expand to three new countries.
That is great news for the brand and its investors. The EV maker isn't targeting just North America. It wants to conquer Europe, too. The brand is already manufacturing right-hand drive vehicles with the help of Magna Steyr and plans on making vehicles in the US with Foxconn's help.
Fisker confirmed it would start operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. As expected, the Ocean will be the first vehicle people in these countries can buy.
But continuing the European expansion doesn't mean adding webpages in those nation's languages. The young brand says it will establish new retail locations and service centers. Thus, prospective customers will not have to worry about fixing their EVs if something goes wrong.
Fisker also plans on building new Lounges, just like the one recently opened in Los Angeles. These spaces bear the vision of Henrik Fisker, an automotive designer who created cars like the BMW Z8 or the Aston Martin DB9.
Finally, Fisker will move an important part of its production stateside to take advantage of the local and federal EV incentives. The founder promised that PEAR would benefit from the full EV tax credit, which means it should meet all the critical minerals, parts sourcing, and manufacturing criteria. It remains to be seen if the same will be available for the Alaska pickup truck.
It will, however, keep its relationship with Magna Steyr to produce EVs for the European market. That contract manufacturing deal means Fisker will be present on two continents. But its cars will have a lower carbon footprint once shipping them over the Atlantic Ocean won't be needed anymore.
Most notably, the company announced that it would expand its portfolio of electric vehicles. It introduced a smaller, funkier sibling for the Ocean called the PEAR, a pickup truck named Alaska, and a limited-edition four-door convertible GT known as Ronin that might have a starting price of $385,000 and a power output of over 1,000 hp.
There's also an off-road pack available for the Ocean crossover SUV, which currently is the only vehicle Fisker is delivered to early supporters. The add-on is estimated to cost around $14,000.
But after presenting its updated portfolio and accelerating production of the Austrian-made Ocean, Fisker announced it would expand to three new countries.
That is great news for the brand and its investors. The EV maker isn't targeting just North America. It wants to conquer Europe, too. The brand is already manufacturing right-hand drive vehicles with the help of Magna Steyr and plans on making vehicles in the US with Foxconn's help.
Fisker confirmed it would start operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. As expected, the Ocean will be the first vehicle people in these countries can buy.
But continuing the European expansion doesn't mean adding webpages in those nation's languages. The young brand says it will establish new retail locations and service centers. Thus, prospective customers will not have to worry about fixing their EVs if something goes wrong.
Fisker also plans on building new Lounges, just like the one recently opened in Los Angeles. These spaces bear the vision of Henrik Fisker, an automotive designer who created cars like the BMW Z8 or the Aston Martin DB9.
Finally, Fisker will move an important part of its production stateside to take advantage of the local and federal EV incentives. The founder promised that PEAR would benefit from the full EV tax credit, which means it should meet all the critical minerals, parts sourcing, and manufacturing criteria. It remains to be seen if the same will be available for the Alaska pickup truck.
It will, however, keep its relationship with Magna Steyr to produce EVs for the European market. That contract manufacturing deal means Fisker will be present on two continents. But its cars will have a lower carbon footprint once shipping them over the Atlantic Ocean won't be needed anymore.
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