Fisker is moving ahead with its Fisker Karma sleek plug-in hybrid. Valmet Automotive in Finland is picking up the manufacturing role, and Fisker has announced production of around 15,000 cars annually. The plan is to bring the first of them to North America sometimes in late 2009, with Europeans getting their fix early 2010.
Valmet was chosen as the manufacturer after a global search, and given that more than half of the vehicles are expected to be sold outside of North America the geographical positioning makes sense.
The Fisker Karma is an impressive vehicle, capable of 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and tops out at 150MPH. Providing the go juice is an electric / internal-combustion hybrid engine that allows full plug-in use.
Tesla Motors currently has an active suit against Fisker (which Tesla hired to help with design work of its WhiteStar Sedan) in which claim that Fisker is using their range-extended vehicle (REV) technology in the aptly named Karma vehicle. The outcome of the suit may eventually impact sales and manufacture of the Karma, but for now it is full charge ahead.
