Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com Autoblog Canada http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/favicon-v5.png Autoblog Canada http://ca.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry. <![CDATA[Fisker-based Destino V8 still in the works, hundreds of Karma owners seek conversion]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/fisker-based-destino-still-in-the-works-100s-of-karma-owners-se/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/fisker-based-destino-still-in-the-works-100s-of-karma-owners-se/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/fisker-based-destino-still-in-the-works-100s-of-karma-owners-se/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,




Wards Auto reports the VL Productions Destino is still moving forward. As you may recall, that machine takes a Fisker Karma hybrid, guts the drivetrain and replaces it with a honking 556 horsepower V8 from General Motors. Bob Lutz, while speaking with Wards, confirmed that VL Productions had obtained 20 Karma "gliders" without a battery, engine or electric motor before Fisker announced its bankruptcy, and that VL may purchase Karma hybrids from dealers currently looking to dump their inventory. Lutz also says that hundreds of current Karma owners have approached VL Productions about the possibility of converting their hybrids to V8 power.

That conversion could cost between $85,000 and $95,000. Right now, VL has around 100 orders for standard Destino models, each with a price tag of $185,000. Not surprisingly, much of that demand has come from the Middle East. Wards reports that the first wave of deliveries are set to begin in the third quarter of this year. Buyers can expect to find a 6.2-litre, supercharged V8 engine lifted from the Cadillac CTS-V under the hood, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Click through to watch a Fisker Karma test drive review.

Gallery: Fisker Karma second drive






Continue reading Fisker-based Destino V8 still in the works, hundreds of Karma owners seek conversion

Fisker-based Destino V8 still in the works, hundreds of Karma owners seek conversion originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 06 May 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bob lutzdestinofiskerfisker karmakarmavl productions destino Mon, 06 May 2013 09:45:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20558994/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/06/fisker-based-destino-still-in-the-works-100s-of-karma-owners-se/20558994/article-detail.xml 20558994 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-2012-fisker-karma-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-2012-fisker-karma-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/#comments Filed under: , , ,



Fisker Automotive looks to be headed towards bankruptcy protection and judging by our photo above, it seems someone may have already started digging a grave for the automaker too. Automotive News reports the automaker could file Chapter 11 as soon as this week as the US Department of Energy (DoE) attempts to get the company to give back around US$200 million in federal loans. The manufacturer's lawyers have already drawn up the necessary paperwork and are ready to file within the next few days, according to an unnamed source. The DoE is pushing Fisker toward bankruptcy after months of bickering between the two parties. Fisker had been courting buyers in both China and Europe in an attempt to stay solvent, but failed to bring in the necessary funds.

As a result, Fisker hasn't built a single vehicle since last summer, and no one has stepped up to buy any more of their hybrid vehicles. Last Friday, the company laid off some 75 per cent of its workforce, leaving only around 50 executives behind to avoid breaching its contract with the DoE. Right now, the company has around US$30 million in cash on hand and is staring down the barrel of a US$10 million loan payment in a few weeks.


Gallery: 2013 Fisker Karma

Continue reading Fisker could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week

Fisker could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> department of energydoefiskerfisker automotivefisker bankruptfisker bankruptcy Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:57:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20535417/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/fisker-could-file-chapter-11-as-soon-as-this-week/20535417/article-detail.xml 20535417 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-grave-edit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-grave-edit.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker PR team and many other employees face layoffs today [UPDATE]]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,



The entirety of the public relations team at Fisker is about to be laid off. That's according to an email Autoblog received this morning from a credible source stating that the entire PR team, along with a large number of other Fisker employees will be furloughed at 8:00AM PST this morning.

The luxury plug-in-hybrid car startup launched with a splash with the sexy Karma sedan just a few years ago, but since then it has struggled to collect government financing, it has been battered by natural disasters, supplier solvency issues and the recent departure of its namesake, designer and founder Henrik Fisker. The company has been in talks with possible investors, but thus far that has amounted to nothing, and officials are said to be in discussions with bankruptcy experts.

UPDATE: Calling it a "necessary strategic step to... maximize the value of Fisker's core assets," Fisker has confirmed it has laid off 75 percent of its employees. Read more in the official statement by scrolling down and in the Automotive News story linked below.


Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma

Continue reading Fisker PR team and many other employees face layoffs today [UPDATE]

Fisker PR team and many other employees face layoffs today [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> breakingfiredfiskerfisker karmafisker layoffshenrik fiskerkarmalayoff Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:16:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20532286/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/fisker-pr-team-and-many-other-employees-face-layoff-this-morning/20532286/article-detail.xml 20532286 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-fisker-karma-3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-fisker-karma-3.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker's Farewell]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/fisker-s-farewell/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/fisker-s-farewell/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/fisker-s-farewell/#comments Filed under:

Not The First, Nor The Last Dreamer To Fail



The departure of Henrik Fisker from his self-named car company adds yet another name to the list of dreamers who thought they could be successful automakers. Whether or not he goes down in history a Gaston Chevrolet or John DeLorean depends on the current managers at Fisker, with whom Henrik cited as having irreconcilable differences over the future of the hybrid luxury car company.

Like DeLorean and Preston Tucker before him, Fisker
underestimated the amount of capital it takes.


This is not to say that Fisker's dream is doomed, but the company he founded faces a number of severe challenges to its survival as an independent make. Like DeLorean and Preston Tucker before him, Fisker underestimated the amount of capital it takes to be in the business. While the business model of having a supplier, in this case, Finland-based Valmet, building a high-priced limited-edition car had merit, in execution Fisker fell short of the mark of meeting expectations. It took far longer than anticipated to bring the Karma to market. Quality problems, issues with battery supplier A123 and the port disaster during Hurricane Sandy that destroyed 300 cars dogged the company.

Click here to read the rest.

Continue reading Fisker's Farewell

Fisker's Farewell originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> featuredfiskerhenrik fisker Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20506272/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/19/fisker-s-farewell/20506272/article-detail.xml 20506272 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/henrik-fisker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/henrik-fisker.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker reportedly drops US$33M lawsuit over Super Storm Sandy damaged cars]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

damaged fisker automobiles sitting in new jersey

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy hitting the east coast, Fisker Automotive and insurer XL Insurance wound up in a legal battle over 338 Karma models destroyed in the storm. The cars were sitting in Port Newark, New Jersey when the enormous storm struck, washing away US$33 million worth of viable automobiles. Fisker sued XL Insurance in New York State Supreme Court after the company denied coverage for the loss.

Both sides reportedly reached an agreement to drop the legal action on Thursday without publicly stating a reason for the truce. In lieu of an actual reason, here's some conjecture: the cars may be worth more to Fisker as an uncompensated loss, as pending legal battles make the beleaguered niche automaker much less attractive to potential investors or suitors.

Click here to watch how 250,000 vehicles were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Continue reading Fisker reportedly drops US$33M lawsuit over Super Storm Sandy damaged cars

Fisker reportedly drops US$33M lawsuit over Super Storm Sandy damaged cars originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> automotive lawsuitautomotive lawsuitsfiskerfisker lawsuithurricane sandykarmalawsuitlawsuitssandysuperstorm sandyxl insurance Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20473945/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/02/fisker-reportedly-drops-us-33m-lawsuit-over-super-storm-sandy-da/20473945/article-detail.xml 20473945 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/fisker-karma-port_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/fisker-karma-port.jpg <![CDATA[Corvette ZR1-powered Fisker Karma debuts in Detroit]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/vl-automotive-destino-detroit-2013/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/vl-automotive-destino-detroit-2013/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/vl-automotive-destino-detroit-2013/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



There's nothing wrong with the Fisker Karma that a honkin' Chevy V8 engine won't fix. At least according to Bob Lutz, it seems. Called the VL Automotive Destino, this machine is the brainchild of industrialist Gilbert Villereal and the aforementioned Lutz, and is intended to compete with such well-regarded performance sedans as the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

As you can see, there are some significant styling changes made in the conversion from Karma to Destino, notably in the front and rear fascias, including exhaust tips out back and a new hood that's raised to accommodate what lies underneath. The interior is also reskinned and can be further customized by the buyer.

But it's the engineering work under that shapely skin that's truly noteworthy. Replacing the electric motor, battery pack and turbocharged range extender is one 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 V8 borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 driving the rear wheels through either a manual or automatic transmission. Power numbers are identical to the ZR1 and while fuel economy is not yet known, we can expect is to be a bit lower than the Corvette's 15 mpg (15.6L/100km) city and 24 mpg (9.8L/100km) highway.

The Destino will be built at VL Automotive's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and it will be delivered through still-in-development distribution network starting this summer. Pricing is expected to be around US$180,000, which is significantly more than the Karma's slightly over $100,000 base price.

Click here to check out our high-res image gallery live from the Detroit Auto Show above and the press release below.


Gallery: 2013 Detroit Auto Show - NAIAS Media Gallery


Gallery: 2013 Detroit Auto Show - MGM Gallery Event Highlights

Continue reading Corvette ZR1-powered Fisker Karma debuts in Detroit

Corvette ZR1-powered Fisker Karma debuts in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 detroit auto showbob lutzchevroletcorvettedestinodetroitdetroit 2013fiskergilbert villerealkarmavl automotivezr1 Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:24:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20428128/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/14/vl-automotive-destino-detroit-2013/20428128/article-detail.xml 20428128 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/000-vl-automotive-destino-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/000-vl-automotive-destino-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Top 5 Most Expensive Celebrity Cars of 2012]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/top-5-most-expensive-celebrity-cars-of-2012/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/top-5-most-expensive-celebrity-cars-of-2012/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/top-5-most-expensive-celebrity-cars-of-2012/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , ,



Hollywood celebrities are known for driving some of the hottest and sometimes most ridiculous six-figure exotics. From Justin Bieber's chromed-out Fisker Karma to Tyga's "gold covered" Audi R8, these superstars seem to enjoy spending big bucks on their fast cars in 2012.

Check out the recent video, as Vibe TV declares these as the Top 5 most expensive celeb cars of this past year. Judging by the outrageous looking cars on the list, the questionable modifications just go to show that money really can't buy taste. C'mon, does this Aston Martin Rapide really look better with 24K gold wire wheels?

Click here to see who dropped the most coin on their celeb ride in 2012.


News Source: Vibe TV via AOL On


Gallery: Most Expensive Cars to Own

Continue reading Top 5 Most Expensive Celebrity Cars of 2012

Top 5 Most Expensive Celebrity Cars of 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aston martinaston martin rapideaudiaventadorcelebcelebritiescelebrities+and+controversycelebritycelebrity styleexpensiveexpensive carsfiskerFisker Karmajustin bieberkanye westkarmalady gagalamborghinimeek millmost expensiver8r8 gtrapidetyga Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20422524/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/09/top-5-most-expensive-celebrity-cars-of-2012/20422524/article-detail.xml 20422524 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/justin-bieber-fisker-karma-1357749204_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/justin-bieber-fisker-karma-1357749204.jpg <![CDATA[Top 10 automotive oddities of the past year]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/top-10-automotive-oddities-of-the-past-year/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/top-10-automotive-oddities-of-the-past-year/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/top-10-automotive-oddities-of-the-past-year/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



With every publication hammering through their "best & worst" lists we couldn't help but wonder about the top news-making announcements and launches this year that sparked conversations, debates, and sometimes heated arguments amongst the enthusiast fray. After careful consideration we have compiled our first-annual list of the Top 10 automotive industry curve balls that made car geeks worldwide take a step back and go "Huh?!?"

Click here to see the list of our Top 10 Automotive Oddities of 2012.


Gallery: Top 10 Strangest Cars Ever Made

10) Amphibian Motorcar9) Toyota Land Glider 8) Locomotive Car7) Peel P50 6) UK Custom

Top 10 automotive oddities of the past year originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> bmwecoboostEvoqueFerrarifiskerFiskerKarmahuayraM5oddpaganistrangestrange newsTop10weird Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20410860/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/07/top-10-automotive-oddities-of-the-past-year/20410860/article-detail.xml 20410860 http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/fisker20911_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/ca.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/fisker20911.jpg <![CDATA[Hurricane Sandy cost automakers 15,000 vehicles, may have ruined up to 200k]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/hurricane-sandy-cost-automakers-15-000-vehicles-may-have-ruined/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/hurricane-sandy-cost-automakers-15-000-vehicles-may-have-ruined/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/07/hurricane-sandy-cost-automakers-15-000-vehicles-may-have-ruined/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Porsche damaged in Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy was the largest Atlantic storm in North American history, and its total economic impact is just now coming into view. According to Automotive News, Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan and Honda are set to scrap around 15,000 new vehicles ruined by the storm. Nissan alone accounts for about 40 per cent of those, with 6,000 Nissan and Infiniti models deeded "un-saleable" due to damage. The company saw 56 dealerships shuttered due to the storm, but 51 of those have since reopened.

Toyota, meanwhile, had some 4,000 vehicles at its Newark port facility, and of those, 3,000 may be scrapped. An additional 825 were dealer inventory when they were ruined. Honda and Acura dealers are reportedly sending 3,440 vehicles to the salvage yard. By comparison, Chrysler weathered the storm fairly well with 825 units destroyed, while Hyundai suffered only 400 lost units and Kia scrapped around 200.

As you may recall, Fisker also suffered some losses, and Automotive News reports the manufacturer saw 320 Karma models damaged beyond repair. Ford and General Motors have yet to come up with estimates, and no automaker has commented on the full cost of replacing the vehicles.

Meanwhile, NADA said the storm could claim as many as 200,000 personal vehicles.

News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.

Image Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty

Continue reading Hurricane Sandy cost automakers 15,000 vehicles, may have ruined up to 200k

Hurricane Sandy cost automakers 15,000 vehicles, may have ruined up to 200k originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> acurachryslerfiskerfordgmhondahurricanehurricane damagehurricane sandyhyundaiinfinitikianissansandytoyota Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20373459/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/07/hurricane-sandy-cost-automakers-15-000-vehicles-may-have-ruined/20373459/article-detail.xml 20373459 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/sandy-flooded-porsche_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/sandy-flooded-porsche.jpg <![CDATA[How Hurricane Sandy (may have) set 16 Fisker Karmas on fire]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/how-sandy-may-have-set-17-plug-in-hybrids-on-fire/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/how-sandy-may-have-set-17-plug-in-hybrids-on-fire/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/how-sandy-may-have-set-17-plug-in-hybrids-on-fire/#comments Filed under: , , , , , ,

Fisker Karma sedans burned at port

Can Hurricane Sandy's flood waters be blamed for the fiery destruction of 16 Fisker Karmas and a Toyota Prius? On Halloween we guessed saltwater had somehow led to a short circuit that overheated the cars' batteries and fire, which may be exactly what happened.

"We can't be certain exactly what happened at the port," Russell Datz, a Fisker spokesman, tells the New York Times Wheels blog. "But we think being submerged in 13 feet of saltwater had something to do with it."

Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight tells Wheels that the Prius likely went pyro because "saltwater got into the electrical system." Saltwater, as you probably know, is highly conductive and when it comes into contact with something like an electric car's battery, could cause a short circuit and a fire.

Daniel Abraham, chemical scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, gave the blog a more technical explanation. Salts in the water break into positive and negative ions that act as conductors and could have connected the batteries' positive and negative terminals. Next came a short circuit and then, possibly, a fire.

No one so far thinks the Karma batteries' lithium cores were to blame. Even though lithium will burn on contact with water, the metal used in hybrid batteries is pretty well protected and isn't likely the source of the fires.

So still no official cause of the fires, but an investigation is ongoing.

Gallery: Fisker Karma with Strut Wheels: SEMA 2012


Gallery: Fisker Karma with 3M wrap: SEMA 2012



News Source: The New York Times

Image Credit: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Continue reading How Hurricane Sandy (may have) set 16 Fisker Karmas on fire

How Hurricane Sandy (may have) set 16 Fisker Karmas on fire originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> fiskerfisker karma firehurricane sandyhybrid firekarmakarma firepriusprius firetoyotatoyota prius fire Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:28:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20371279/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/05/how-sandy-may-have-set-17-plug-in-hybrids-on-fire/20371279/article-detail.xml 20371279 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/fisker-karma-port_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/fisker-karma-port.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker Karma and 3M at SEMA, that's a wrap]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/fisker-karma-3m-wrap-sema-2012/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/fisker-karma-3m-wrap-sema-2012/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/11/01/fisker-karma-3m-wrap-sema-2012/#comments Filed under: , , , ,



Electric carmaker Fisker has partnered with car-wrapping specialists 3M for an interesting demonstration of what could be at this year's SEMA festivities. As we reported in greater detail earlier, the folks from 3M are wrapping up the Karma in a few fairly wild shades and stripe packages, to have a little fun with the already drop-dead gorgeous Fisker.

We caught the team mid-wrap when we shot the gallery of live images that you see here; transitioning from a white and blue livery to a sassy yellow and black number.

Considering the explosion of custom wrap jobs that we've seen and heard about lately, we'd expect to see the trend continue for both SEMA and the wider world of customization. In fact, wrapping at a high level makes a lot of sense for owners of expensive cars, who may be less willing to alter the original paint job, while still hungering for a little variety now and again.

We also happened across another rather interestingly modded Karma - this one with a distinct lack of associated press information. The car in the gallery below has wood accenting both the wheels and grille, as well as another distinctive colorway. Enjoy.

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Drew Phillips / AOL

Gallery: Fisker Karmas coming to SEMA


Gallery: Fisker Karma with Strut Wheels: SEMA 2012


Gallery: SEMA 2012 Photo Gallery: Upper Performance Hall, Silver Lot


Gallery: SEMA 2012 Truck & Offroad Hall & Outdoor Lot

Continue reading Fisker Karma and 3M at SEMA, that's a wrap

Fisker Karma and 3M at SEMA, that's a wrap originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2013 fisker karma3mcar wrapsfiskerkarmasemasema 2012 Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:20:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20367985/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/01/fisker-karma-3m-wrap-sema-2012/20367985/article-detail.xml 20367985 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/fisker-3m-wrap-sema-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/fisker-3m-wrap-sema-628.jpg <![CDATA[Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/even-fisker-is-attending-sema-with-some-custom-karmas/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/even-fisker-is-attending-sema-with-some-custom-karmas/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/even-fisker-is-attending-sema-with-some-custom-karmas/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Fisker Karma SEMA car

The Fisker Karma is again going where no pricey, Finnish-built, extended-range electric hybrid sedan has gone before: SEMA. Since the Karma just about touches the ground as is, and already wears enormous wheels, the aftermarket mods - for this year at least - stick to exterior treatments.

The two Karmas that will greet the Vegas audience have been developed to commemorate Fisker's partnerships aftermarket companies, those partnerships giving owners more ways to customize their vehicles. One Karma will get wrapped in a new color scheme each day with 3M Scotchprint wrap featuring the co-developed Fisker Diamond Protection Film.

The protection film does exactly what it says on the label, keeping the Karma's finish from getting bruised by road detritus. Show-goers can watch each of the wraps being applied: the Fall-themed Gloss Burnt Orange and Brushed Black Metallic "October Sun," the "Riverside" in Matte White and Gloss Blue Metallic throwing a shout-out to American racing heritage, hot-rodders get "Classic" Hot Rod Red red and a Gloss Black stripe with brushed aluminum trim, and "Onward" wears Satin Black and Gloss Burnt Orange to celebrate Fisker itself.

The second Karma will be the Mobil 1 "American Icon" at the DUB stand, draped in Gloss Sterling Silver and Matte Blue Metallic. In lieu of a new wheel design, a new wheel finish will be shown on both Karmas, that being Goodrich's chrome-like PermaStar coating. You'll find the press release and an advance screening of the color schemes in the high-res gallery above.

Click here to watch a few additional videos.

News Source: Fisker

Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma

Continue reading Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas

Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 3mfiskergoodrichkarmamobil 1semasema 2012sema show Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:31:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20359538/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/24/even-fisker-is-attending-sema-with-some-custom-karmas/20359538/article-detail.xml 20359538 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01fiskersemacars-1351096653_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/01fiskersemacars-1351096653.jpg <![CDATA['King of Lemon Laws' Lawyer Fights Fisker with Justin Bieber Video]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/29/king-of-lemon-laws-lawyer-fights-fisker-with-justin-bieber-vid/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/29/king-of-lemon-laws-lawyer-fights-fisker-with-justin-bieber-vid/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/09/29/king-of-lemon-laws-lawyer-fights-fisker-with-justin-bieber-vid/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

Fisker Karma gets lemon law'd with lawyer Vince Megna and cardboard cutout of Justin Bieber

Vince Megna certainly has a way with words. In one five-and-a-half minute video, he calls the Fisker Karma a "modern-day electric Ford Pinto." He also says, "This is a beautiful car. It's just too bad it catches on fire." Would we expect anything less florid from the man who calls himself the King of Lemon Laws?

Megna was referring to two cases of the Karma being involved in fires, one in California and one in Texas. The reason Megna is concerned is because he was bringing a Karma to a dealership for his unnamed client in Wisconsin, who apparently needed to keep his vehicle in the shop for 120 days during his first seven months of ownership. That's well above the 30-day threshold set by Wisconsin's lemon law. Megna says Fisker refunded his client the US$103,000 that the car cost, even though he wouldn't agree to Fisker's request to keep his complaints quiet. It was the first lemon law buy-back for a Karma, Megna says, adding that he doesn't think it will be the last. We've contacted Fisker about Megna's claims, but have yet to hear back.

But what's Justin Bieber - or a cardboard cutout of His Bieberness - doing in the video clip? Well, Megna has a bit of Michael Moore in him, and he went to a Fisker dealer to ask if the Karma is safe for celebrities like Bieber to drive (the teenage phenom has - had? - a custom chrome Karma in his garage). Thoughtfully, Megna brought along his video camera to record his visit. And a Bieber t-shirt-wearing paralegal with her mouth taped shut.

Click here to watch the comedic results on video.


Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma

Continue reading 'King of Lemon Laws' Lawyer Fights Fisker with Justin Bieber Video

'King of Lemon Laws' Lawyer Fights Fisker with Justin Bieber Video originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2012 fisker karmabieberfiskerjustin bieberkarmaking of lemon lawslemon lawvideovince megna Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20334383/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/29/king-of-lemon-laws-lawyer-fights-fisker-with-justin-bieber-vid/20334383/article-detail.xml 20334383 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/fisker-karma-lemon-law-bieber-628_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/fisker-karma-lemon-law-bieber-628.png <![CDATA[Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/fisker-qanda-sheds-light-karma-problems/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/fisker-qanda-sheds-light-karma-problems/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/fisker-qanda-sheds-light-karma-problems/#comments Filed under: , , , ,

2012 Fisker Karma - silver - front three-quarter static view

Despite what some media outlets are saying, the long list of questions and answers about the Fisker Karma now floating around (and available below) is not a leaked document. Instead, it is part of Fisker's ongoing customer service operations, Roger Ormisher, Fisker's head PR director, told AutoblogGreen. The Q&A is the result of Fisker's ongoing town hall meetings it holds via telephone with customers, where "we discuss everything that's going on with the car." The questions are collected, answers written down and then the list is sent out to all Karma owners, he said. Since the powertrain technology in the Karma is so new, Ormisher said, "this openness is about us developing relationships with our customers."

To complement the Q&A, Fisker is thinking of setting up a physical owners council where they could come in and spend time with Fisker to discuss upgrades and changes. Thus far, Ormisher said, the Karma's software updates have been done free of charge and any future updates that affect integral parts of how the car works will continue to be free. There is a possibility that cosmetic upgrades could cost money, but no decision has been made on that. The Q&A says:

Specific warranty issues that require flash updates will be performed under the normal terms of the Fisker warranty. ... In the future, software upgrades which improve functionality, navigation or other features may be made available and can be installed at the request of an owner by an authorized Fisker Retailer for a fee.

What other information is in the Q&A? In short, Fisker knows there are problems. Lots of them. The Q&A says it is looking to "improv[e] the command center functionality and interface on all current Karmas." (This is why it's terrible right now.) It offers tips on how to get the command center car to respond more quickly. It says Fisker does not have any plans to mute the voice guidance when using navigation, even though customers are asking for it. It explains why the engine sometimes comes on in Stealth Mode. It says Fisker is "investigating the issues which are causing poor Bluetooth performance." Oh, and the problem with the A123 Systems battery packs will start to be fixed in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Click here to read the entire Q&A for yourself.


Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma




News Source: Fisker, Fisker Buzz

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Damon Lavrinc / AOL / Fisker

Continue reading Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems

Fisker Q&A sheds light, lots of light, on Karma problems, lots of Karma problems originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> 2012 fisker karmaelectric vehiclefiskerkarmaplug-in hybrid Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20307874/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/23/fisker-qanda-sheds-light-karma-problems/20307874/article-detail.xml 20307874 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/2012-fisker-karma-silver_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/2012-fisker-karma-silver.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla's Elon Musk calls Fisker Karma 'a mediocre product at a high price']]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/21/teslas-elon-musk-calls-fisker-karma-a-mediocre-product-at-a-hi/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/21/teslas-elon-musk-calls-fisker-karma-a-mediocre-product-at-a-hi/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/21/teslas-elon-musk-calls-fisker-karma-a-mediocre-product-at-a-hi/#comments Filed under: , , , , ,

Tesla Model S

It is official: the gloves are off in the war of words between Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk and Fisker Automotive chief Henrik Fisker.

Most of the verbal barbs came from Musk, who sat down to gossip with Automobile Magazine about archrival Fisker. The bad blood goes back a few years to when Tesla unsuccessfully sued Henrik Fisker for developing the Karma while under contract for the design of the Model S - basically paying someone to design his own car.

Another, more newsworthy zinger was when Musk called out Fisker as a smart designer but one who does not understand the underlying technology problem. Musk said:

The fundamental problem with Henrik Fisker - he is a designer or stylist... he thinks the reason we don't have electric cars is for lack of styling. This is not the reason. It's fundamentally a technology problem. At the same time, you need to make it look good and feel good, because otherwise you're going to have an impaired product. But just making something look like an electric car does not make it an electric car.

Fisker has been scrambling to deal with fires and recalls connected to its A123 Systems partnership. Musk's biggest jab was directed at the flagship Karma: "It's a mediocre product at a high price."

So what did Henrik Fisker have to say? In a written response to Automobile Magazine, Fisker stayed friendly, but did throw down the competitive gauntlet: range anxiety. "Obviously, Tesla and Fisker are appealing to two different customer bases with two totally different technologies. Tesla has pure EV and Fisker has a range-extended offering with no compromise on range," he wrote. Zing!

Fisker thanked Musk for giving a nod to the good-looking Karma, which won Automobile's 2012 Design of the Year. He also made a statement to clear up the legal wrangle: Fisker won in court. A judge threw out the case and awarded costs to Fisker.

Both companies have borrowed existing tech to bring their plug-ins to market. The Karma needed Quantum Technologies to provide the plug-in hybrid drivetrain and used a General Motors-sourced 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder engine. Tesla used the Lotus Elise to develop its first car, the Roadster. That said, the sparring judges would probably send more points to Tesla Motors, which sells its battery system and EV powertrain technology to companies like Toyota.


Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma




News Source: Automobile Magazine

Tesla's Elon Musk calls Fisker Karma 'a mediocre product at a high price' originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> electric vehicleselon muskevfiskerFisker Karmafisker karma hybridhenrik fiskerKarmamodel splug intesla Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20304814/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/21/teslas-elon-musk-calls-fisker-karma-a-mediocre-product-at-a-hi/20304814/article-detail.xml 20304814 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/building-tesla-model-s_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/building-tesla-model-s.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn offers a tutorial in cars to come]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/2012-pebble-beach-concept-car-lawn-offers-a-tutorial-in-cars-to/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/2012-pebble-beach-concept-car-lawn-offers-a-tutorial-in-cars-to/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/20/2012-pebble-beach-concept-car-lawn-offers-a-tutorial-in-cars-to/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is a showcase for some of the world's most exquisite vintage vehicles, but if newer metal is more your speed, the Concept Car Lawn is the place to be.

This year saw models from Bugatti, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and Bentley as well as SRT, Hennessey, Infiniti and Lexus among others. The ultimate sampler platter of exotic and concept vehicles saw the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse mingle with the Lamborghini Urus Concept and the mighty Hennessey Venom GT, though we found ourselves particularly smitten with the BMW Zagato Roadster and the Aston Martin Vanquish.

Not that we could go wrong anywhere we looked. The 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed seemed perfectly content parked on the manicured putting green, as did the McLaren MP4-12C Spider. Get cozy with the full gallery to see the smattering of metal on the lawn.

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Drew Phillips / AOL

2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn offers a tutorial in cars to come originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> aston martinbentleybmwbugatticoncept carconcept car lawnhennesseylamborghinimontereymonterey 2012pebble beachpebble beach 2012pebble beach concours delegance Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20304589/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/20/2012-pebble-beach-concept-car-lawn-offers-a-tutorial-in-cars-to/20304589/article-detail.xml 20304589 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/concept-car-lawn-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/concept-car-lawn-628.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker: cooling fan responsible for Karma fire; voluntary recall has started]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/19/fisker-karma-cooling-fan-fire-voluntary-recall/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/19/fisker-karma-cooling-fan-fire-voluntary-recall/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/19/fisker-karma-cooling-fan-fire-voluntary-recall/#comments Filed under: , ,

Fisker Karma in a parking lot with flames coming from the front driver's side corner

After two short "we're looking into it" official statements, Fisker Automotive has announced that it has completed a "detailed investigation" into the strange, spontaneous combustion of a Karma plug-in hybrid that happened in Woodside, California last weekend. The result? A voluntary recall to fix the low-temperature cooling fan located in the left front of the Karma, in front of the wheel, that apparently has "an internal fault that caused it to fail, overheat and start a slow burning fire."

Fisker says the supplier is responsible and will work together with the unnamed company to fix the problem. Retailers will contact customers and "this recall campaign is not expected to have a material financial impact on Fisker." The fix entails a new cooling fan "that meets the required specifications" and a new, extra fuse "for added protection." Around 2,400 Karmas are affected by this recall.

As the latest statement makes clear, and as we expected, the parking-lot fire was not caused by the lithium-ion battery. Company co-founder Henrik Fisker said, "This incident resulted from a single, faulty component, not our unique EVer powertrain or the engineering of the Karma. As this situation demonstrates, Fisker Automotive is dedicated to doing whatever is necessary to address safety and quality concerns." You can read the entire statement past the jump.

Fisker is also saying that there is no discernible connection between the Woodside fire and another fire involving a Karma that happened in Texas in May. Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher told Bloomberg that, "The report for the Texas fire is not in the public domain and we do not have access to it. ... the real root cause [of the Texas fire] is unlikely to be determined."

The Karma has been recalled before, at the tail end of 2011, for problems with the battery pack, specifically the battery hose clamp. Some Karma battery packs also had some defective prismatic cells replaced by battery-maker A123 Systems.

Continue reading Fisker: cooling fan responsible for Karma fire; voluntary recall has started

Fisker: cooling fan responsible for Karma fire; voluntary recall has started originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> electric vehiclefiskerfisker firefisker recallkarmakarma firekarma recallplug-in hybrid Sun, 19 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20304202/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/19/fisker-karma-cooling-fan-fire-voluntary-recall/20304202/article-detail.xml 20304202 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/fisker-karma-fire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/fisker-karma-fire.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker needs US$150 million to build Atlantic]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/16/fisker-needs-150-million-to-build-atlantic/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/16/fisker-needs-150-million-to-build-atlantic/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/16/fisker-needs-150-million-to-build-atlantic/#comments Filed under: , ,

Fisker Atlantic Reveal

So what is the first order of business for new Fisker CEO Tony Posawatz? Certainly putting out fires. But he's also going to be doing some hat-in-hand work, according to a report from Reuters.

Posawatz knows what it takes to get an electric car to market, but Fisker is some US$150 million short of cash it needs before it launches the Atlantic, according to the report. One of Fisker's directors told the news organization that bolstering the balance sheet is necessary not only to cover operating expenses, but also to fund more product development.

Fisker's financial shortfall is the effect of losing over half its $529 billion loan from the American Department of Energy, according to the report. The company says it plans to raise the additional funds through more private financing.


Gallery: Fisker Atlantic




News Source: Reuters

Image Credit: Copyright 2012 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Fisker needs US$150 million to build Atlantic originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> atlanticfiskerfisker financial toublesposawatzproduction delayTony Posawatz Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20302675/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/16/fisker-needs-150-million-to-build-atlantic/20302675/article-detail.xml 20302675 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/fisker-atlantic-reveal-10-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/fisker-atlantic-reveal-10-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Tony Posawatz replaces Tom LaSorda as Fisker CEO]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/tony-posawatz-replaces-tom-lasorda-as-fisker-ceo/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/tony-posawatz-replaces-tom-lasorda-as-fisker-ceo/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/tony-posawatz-replaces-tom-lasorda-as-fisker-ceo/#comments Filed under: ,

tony posawatz with chevy volt

Tony Posawatz is a familiar face in the green car world, having played a prominent and public role in the development of the Chevrolet Volt as the vehicle line director for GM's plug-in hybrid. Today, we learn that Posawatz - who retired from GM last month - will be spending even more time with an extended-range-powertrain vehicle, the Fisker Karma. This is because Posawatz was just named the new CEO of Fisker, replacing Tom LaSorda, who has only been in that position since February. Apparently, the rumor that Posawatz was "stepping down to spend more time with his family," wasn't exactly true.

In a statement, LaSorda said, "Tony is the perfect CEO for Fisker. He has been at the forefront of the industry's technological revolution and one of the few people in the world to bring an EV to mass production." Henrik Fisker, the company's executive chairman and co-founder, said Posawatz, "will ensure that Fisker is well positioned to maximize the potential of not only the Karma sedan, but also bring the Fisker Atlantic smoothly to market."

Posawatz will have his hands full leading Fisker, given things like spontaneous vehicle fires, fallout from earlier battery issues and money flow. But nothing should be too difficult for the person who first came up with the term "range anxiety," right?

In other Fisker news, the company said today it has added Joseph Chao as executive vice president and CEO of China and Asia and Alberto Gonzalez as vice president of manufacturing.

Click here to read the full details.


News Source: Fisker Automotive

Gallery: Fisker Atlantic

Continue reading Tony Posawatz replaces Tom LaSorda as Fisker CEO

Tony Posawatz replaces Tom LaSorda as Fisker CEO originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> electric vehiclefiskerfisker ceolasordaplug-in hybridtony posawatz Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20300672/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/14/tony-posawatz-replaces-tom-lasorda-as-fisker-ceo/20300672/article-detail.xml 20300672 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/09/chevrolet_100166710_m_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/09/chevrolet_100166710_m.jpg <![CDATA[Fisker Statement: Karma batteries <i>not</i> to blame for fire]]> http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/fisker-statement-karma-batteries-not-to-blame-for-fire/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/fisker-statement-karma-batteries-not-to-blame-for-fire/ http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/fisker-statement-karma-batteries-not-to-blame-for-fire/#comments Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Fisker Karma in a parking lot with flames coming from the front driver's side corner

As we suspected yesterday, the first official word from Fisker about the Karma that caught fire in Woodside, CA this weekend is that the lithium ion batteries are apparently not to blame. Fisker has released a statement, which you can find below, which says that independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group are looking into the cause of the blaze:

Evidence revealed thus far supports the fact that the ignition source was not the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or unique exhaust routing.
The area of origin for the fire was determined to be outside the engine compartment. There was no damage to the passenger compartment and there were no injuries.

More information will be released when Fisker and the investigators have something to report. To see a video of the fire and read our original report, click here.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (PDF), between 2005 and 2009, there have been 1,150 spontaneous vehicle fires, half of those in passenger vehicles. So, just under 600 vehicles burn for no known reason in an average year, out of a national fleet of around 250 million vehicles. Two Karma fires in four months is thus noteworthy, especially given the newness of the technology and general worries about the safety of li-ion batteries. According to Fisker, though, it's not something to panic about.

While we await further details of this investigation, scroll down to read Fisker's official statement.

News Source: Fisker Automotive via Engadget

Image Credit: Aaron Wood video

Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma


Continue reading Fisker Statement: Karma batteries not to blame for fire

Fisker Statement: Karma batteries not to blame for fire originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> fiskerfisker automotivefisker firefisker karma Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:28:00 EST http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/20299784/article-comments.xml http://ca.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/13/fisker-statement-karma-batteries-not-to-blame-for-fire/20299784/article-detail.xml 20299784 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/fisker-karma-fire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/fisker-karma-fire.jpg -1 2