Car - Fisker

Fisker Automotive is an American automaker based in Irvine, California. The company's first product, the Fisker Karma is the world's first luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). It debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, creating the premium green car segment in which most major manufacturers have since announced they would compete.

The Karma has a claimed total range of 300 miles (483 km), the first 50 miles (80 km) of which is on tailpipe-emission free electric-only charge. After 50 miles (80 km) a gasoline range-extending engine turns on to add an additional 250 miles (403 km) of range.

An estimated 15,000 cars per year will be assembled by Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Valmet currently builds the Porsche Cayman and Boxster sports cars for Porsche AG. The contract manufacturer was selected because a suitable North American facility could not be identified.

Fisker originally intended to start selling its Karma PHEV in late 2009, but, due to funding delays, as of October 2010 it expects to begin customer deliveries in March 2011. The Karma S hardtop convertible concept unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is planned to arrive in 2012, at an as-yet unstated price.