Η Fisker ανακοίνωσε τα πρώτα της ευρήματα για τη φωτιά που πήρε το Karma το περασμένο Σαββατοκύριακο στο Woodside της Καλιφόρνια. Η Fisker δηλώνει ότι μαζί με μια ομάδα ανεξάρτητων ερευνητών της Pacific Rim Investigative Group, έχουνε ξεκινήσει μια ενδελεχή έρευνα στο Karma με τα πρώτα ευρήματα να δείχνουν ότι η φωτιά δεν ξεκίνησε από τις μπαταρίες ιόντων-λιθίου του αυτοκινήτου, ούτε από την εξάτμιση είτε από άλλα high-end τεχνολογικά υλικά που φορά το Karma. Η Fisker συνεχίζει αναφέροντας η φωτιά ξεκίνησε έξω από τον χώρο του κινητήρα και δεν υπήρχε καμία ζημιά στον χώρο των επιβατών.
Απλά η Fisker μας λέει ότι η φωτιά δεν ξεκίνησε από τον χώρο του κινητήρα, αλλά ενδεχομένως από την εξάτμιση η οποία βρίσκεται δίπλα από τον μπροστά αριστερό τροχό, όπως ανέφεραν οι αναφορές την ημέρα που πήρε φωτιά το αυτοκίνητο. Τι είναι άραγε χειρότερο; Το ότι η φωτιά δεν ξεκίνησε από τις μπαταρίες ή ότι μέχρι σήμερα έχουνε καεί ήδη 2 Karma από τα 1000 που έχουνε πουληθεί μέσα στους 4 μήνες που βρίσκεται στην αγορά;
Στις σχετικές ειδήσεις, ο Tom LaSorda, ο μέχρι σήμερα CEO της Fisker, αποτελεί πλέον παρελθόν από την θέση του διευθύνοντος συμβούλου της Fisker, δίνοντας την θέση του στον Tony Posawatz, πρώην διευθυντή παραγωγής του Chevrolet Volt. O πρόεδρος της Fikser, Henrik Fisker, δήλωσε ότι ο Posawatz θα βοηθεί με τις γνώσεις του στην εταιρία του.
[Πηγή: Fisker Automotive]
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MEDIA STATEMENTS REGARDING KARMA INCIDENT IN WOODSIDE, CA
ANAHEIM, CA — August 13, 2012: Fisker engineers, working with independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group, have begun preliminary examination and testing on the Karma involved in a fire in Woodside, California Friday.
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.
Continued investigative efforts will be primarily focused within the specific area of origin, located forward of the driver’s side front tire.
Further details will be announced after a full report is completed.
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ANAHEIM, CA — August 11, 2012: Fisker Automotive can confirm that one of its Karma models was involved in a vehicle fire during a roadside incident in Woodside, California. No injuries were reported; the vehicle was parked; and the fire was extinguished safely by the emergency services. Fisker understands damage was limited to the driver’s side front corner of the car, away from the lithium ion battery and electric motors. The car was not being charged at the time.
We have more than 1,000 Karmas on the road with a cumulative 2 million miles on them. There are more than 185,000 highway vehicle fires in the US every year.In an electric vehicle, immediate suspicion is focused on the battery and high voltage components. The location of the damage to the vehicle in this incident appears to rule out that suspicion. Fisker has not had any battery or high voltage fire incidents with any of its vehicles.
Safety remains our primary concern at Fisker, and is integral to the design, engineering and technology of the Karma, a model in which we have absolute confidence. Fisker staff have been in contact with the customer and are investigating the cause of this incident. We are also employing an independent fire expert to assist the investigation. A further statement will be issued once the investigation has been completed and the cause determined.
Fisker Automotive Announces New Role Of Chief Business Development Officer
• Barny Koehler appointed to Chief Business Development Officer
• New CFO Jim Yost adds further strength to management team
• Full certification achieved for Karma in Middle East and China
• Launch of corporate site –fiskerglobal.com
• Leonardo DiCaprio signed up as investor and brand advocate
Fisker Automotive, the leading manufacturer of luxury Electric Vehicles with extended range (EVer™), today announced the appointment of Barny Koehler to the newly created role of Chief Business Development Officer, reporting to Tom LaSorda, CEO.
In his new position as Chief Business Development Officer and Co-Founder, Barny Koehler will move from his operational role of bringing the Karma to market to focusing specifically on strategic initiatives and new business opportunities. Key activities will include pursuing strategic alliances and partnerships, sharing advanced technology and intellectual property, and exploring manufacturing synergies with other global partners.
“This appointment makes it clear that Fisker Automotive is truly open for business,” said Tom LaSorda, Chief Executive Officer. “In only four years, Fisker has established itself as a pioneer in the industry, with a great product and brand identity that is changing the way we think about cars. Barny was critical in making this company a reality and now, as we grow our business and seek new opportunities with partners around the globe, I can’t imagine anyone better equipped to lead this effort.”
New Chief Financial Officer
Fisker Automotive recently announced Jim Yost as Chief Financial Officer. “Jim brings outstanding international and operational experience to Fisker. He will play a central role in all strategic and financial activities of the company,” said Tom LaSorda. He will also report to Tom LaSorda, CEO.
A well-known automotive industry financial executive with more than 30 years of experience, Yost most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Dana Holdings. Before that, he served as EVP, Chief Financial Officer at Hayes Lemmerz and spent 27 years at Ford Motor Company in several senior and executive level finance roles in North America, Europe and South America.
Certification for Karma in Middle East and China
Fisker Automotive continues its expansion into new markets around the world. The Karma sedan, the world’s first luxury four-door electric vehicle and Fisker’s flagship model, is now fully certified for safety and emissions in the fast-growing automotive markets of the Middle East and China.
Fisker’s exclusive agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group, one of the Middle East’s most experienced automotive distributors, will leverage the group’s network of experienced retailers to establish Fisker’s sales presence in the region. Now that certification is complete, the path is clear to bring the Karma to customers in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Egypt. Furthermore, certification of the Karma in China opens up the single largest automotive market in the world to Fisker Automotive.
“With Fisker poised to sell the Karma in China and the Middle East, we have established Fisker Automotive as a truly global automaker,” says Henrik Fisker, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder. “It is personally gratifying to me to know that this groundbreaking technology – designed and engineered in America – will be exported around the world.” In addition to its partners in China and the Middle East, Fisker Automotive has 80 independent retail locations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
New corporate site
Fisker Automotive is also proud to announce the launch of a new corporate site: http://fiskerglobal.com. The corporate site will be the new portal for all business updates and corporate developments, as well as providing detailed information for investors, external businesses and the media.
Leonardo DiCaprio appointed brand ambassador
Central to Fisker Automotive’s corporate identity is a message of sustainability, which received a major boost earlier this month with the announcement of a partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio. As an equity investor in Fisker Automotive, DiCaprio will work closely with marketing and promotional initiatives to bring attention to sustainability and environmental issues around the world. In turn, Fisker will support the work of the Leonardo DiCaprio foundation.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s role as brand ambassador will leverage a corporate commitment to environmental responsibility that goes well beyond reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Fisker uses low-impact technologies and renewable materials at every step, such as reclaimed and recycled interior wood trim and “Diamond Dust” paint that utilizes flakes of recycled glass.
About Fisker Automotive, Inc.
Fisker Automotive is a new automaker with a mission to build an innovative, eco-driven company that redefines and reshapes how the world thinks about cars. The company is leading the auto industry with its unique Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer™) powertrain technology, which combines the power and efficiency of electric drive with the range and freedom of a gasoline engine.
Fisker was established in Southern California in 2007 by top auto designer Henrik Fisker and business partner Bernhard Koehler. In 2008 Fisker unveiled the Karma, the world’s first luxury Electric Vehicle with extended range. On sale since December 2011 the Karma was delivered to the market in record time. The Karma is the first and only American car to have won the coveted BBC Top Gear Luxury Car of the Year award, Automobile magazine named it 2012 Design of the Year, and TIME magazine listed the Karma one of the 50 Best Inventions of 2011.
Fisker is headquartered in Anaheim, California and markets its products through a growing network of independent retailers around the world. Fisker Automotive can be found online at www.fiskerautomotive.com
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