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Fisker Could Start Production of the New Glitch-Free Karma Hybrid in 2016

You probably haven't heard too much about the Chinese auto parts manufacturer Wanxiang as their involvement in the automotive industry was limited to providing car components.
Fisker Karma 1 photo
Photo: Fisker
However, you might remember they bought Fisker Automotive's assets last year. It all happened after the American company, which touted in 2007 as a fierce rival for Tesla Motors, went bankrupt in 2013.

Once the Chinese stuck their nose in, along with their cash, Fisker Automotive started heading towards resurrection. As a first measure, Wanxiang plans to rebrand Fisker Automotive as Elux, which means the rejuvenation of the car's range would start with a model called Elux Karma.

Recent reports claim the reborn company has around 200 employees in Costa Mesa, California - where it set up a new facility - who are working on fixing the infamous 250 glitches that prevent the new Karma from going on sale.

The production for the new model is slated to start in 2016, but by then the company will double its workforce to reach about 450 employees.

The new Karma

If everything goes as planned, the new Karma should arrive in late 2016 or early 2017. In any case, Wanxiang's quick response to critics saying they don't even have an up-and-running production site at this moment suggests they mean business.

Rumors about the new Karma's price tag have been out there for a while now, with some suggesting it could go as high as $135,000, almost 20% higher in comparison to the original Karma’s sticker, before production was cut off in 2012.

Also, the car won't be assembled in Finland as the first variant, but in California. However, parts will be shipped in from Finland, courtesy of Finnish company Valmet Automotive.

Will the comeback be powerful enough to put a dent in Tesla's efforts? It's hard to tell, maybe with massive funding in an incipient phase, but a little competition would benefit the segment, that's for sure.
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