Production Fisker Karma
Future plans include a lower priced vehicle
Fisker has announced that they have secured an additional $85 million dollars in venture capital funding for the development and manufacturing of the Karma plug-in hybrid.
The new financing comes from several sources including New York-based Eco-Drive Partners, an unnamed European-American investment consortium, as well as California-based venture capitol firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers. According to Fisker CEO, Henrik Fisker, "This investment is a strong endorsement of our business model and future product offerings in a challenging business environment." While the deal isn't official as of yet, the company expects everything to be completed by the end of the month.
Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid sedan will go into production later this year with a hefty $87,900 price tag (before tax credits). The four-seater features the ability to travel up to 50 miles (80 km) on electricity alone before a GM-sourced 260 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine kicks in to recharge the Lithium-ion batteries. Thanks to the use of the gasoline engine, the Karma will have a range of up to 300 miles (480 km) and a stellar estimated fuel economy rating of 100 mpg (2.35L/100km).
The company also hinted that the additional funding will enable them to produce a "lower cost vehicle" which should help them compete with the upcoming $50,000 Tesla Model S.
Source: Fisker Automotive
Press Release (Click to expand)
Fisker Automotive to Receive Additional $85M for Development of Plug-In Hybrid Cars
Fisker Automotive, Inc., a leading producer of advanced green technology automobiles, announced today it has entered into definitive agreements to receive an additional $85 million in venture capital funding for the development and manufacturing of its Karma plug-in hybrid automobiles. The financing is expected to be completed this month and will be the fourth and largest investment round since the company's inception in August 2007.
New York-based Eco-Drive (Capital) Partners LLC, a European-American investment consortium, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, an early investor in Fisker, have together agreed to provide the capital.
"The investment by Eco-Drive and Kleiner Perkins validates our vision of joining together the advances in technology for plug-in hybrid powertrains with the ecochic beauty and eco-conscious comfort of the Fisker Karma. We are proud to have Eco-Drive behind us, and to see Kleiner Perkins reaffirm its confidence in our future direction," said Henrik Fisker, Fisker Automotive CEO. "This investment is a strong endorsement of our business model and future product offerings in a challenging business environment."
Fisker Automotive's debut model, the 2010 Fisker Karma, is expected to be the first plug-in hybrid car to market when early production vehicles come off the assembly line late this year. The 2010 Karma, planned to retail for $87,900 before tax credits, is designed to travel approximately 50 miles emission-free, powered by a Lithium-ion battery that can be charged in a few hours from any 110- or 240-volt household outlet. After 50 miles, a 2.0 liter gasoline engine runs a generator that can power the car's electric motors for another 250 miles before refueling.
The company recently announced a nationwide network of more than 30 prestigious retailers that are expected to market and service the vehicles. Future plans include a lower cost vehicle.
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Edited by user on April 7, 2009 at 8:32 PM