The EV startup Fisker has been going through some challenges over the past few months, and, to make some quick cash to combat some of those challenges, the company is offering discounts — monumentally huge discounts. Like, discounts bigger than the cost of some economy cars.
Also in today’s The Morning Dump: The fallout is yet to settle from the Baltimore bridge disaster, with multiple casualties resulting from the collapse. The loss of the critical span and disruption to port infrastructure is already causing a ripple effect for other industries.
There’s a story about an alleged street-racing police officer, and there’s news about a Chinese automaker saying it’ll soon start shipping EVs with solid-state batteries. Plus, Sebastian Vettel has gotten back behind the wheel.
The Fisker Ocean Now Costs $25,000, Top-Model Costs $24,000 Less
We’ve talked a lot about EV startup Fisker these past few weeks. We’ve talked about its stock price dropping to a point that it put the company at risk of being suspended from the New York Stock Exchange (this has since happened), we’ve written about how the company was maybe going to run out of money if it didn’t get help, we’ve mentioned YouTuber Marquees Brownlee’s video calling the company’s sole model, the Ocean, the “worst car he’s ever reviewed.” This was followed by news that maybe the company was getting a $150 million lifeline, but that was contingent, it seems, on closing a deal with a large automaker (widely believed to be Nissan) — a deal that seems to have not gone through. Then Consumer Reports reviewed the car and called it “nauseating,” and we could go on and on.
Then yesterday — a story in which we quoted the chairman of the hedge fund Great Hill Capital, who according to Automotive News said bankruptcy was “inevitable” — we heard Fisker’s response to some of this news, and per Automotive News, that response included: “We do not currently have sufficient cash reserves or financing sources sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the 2026 Notes or the 2025 Notes, and as a result, such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.”
Fisker Inc. dramatically reduced the price of the Ocean sport utility vehicle — its only model — as the electric-car maker struggles to stay in business.
The biggest cut the US company is making applies to the top-end version of the Ocean, called Extreme. Fisker will slash the price by $24,000 — a 39% discount — to $37,499, according to an emailed statement.
Other iterations of the vehicle also will be much cheaper, a move Fisker said was designed to position the Ocean as “a more affordable and compelling EV choice.”
A $24,000 discount on the Extreme! That’s the one I drove and liked quite a bit! For $37,499 it seems like a steal. And you know what else seems like a steal? The base model “Sport,” which now costs only $24,999 thanks to a $14,000 price cut!
Of course, as good as the car is for that kind of money, the biggest concern a buyer might have is support. Especially with software still needing work, there’s a risk that one might buy an Ocean and basically end up with a car that never feels complete, with no software updates or service easily available.
Still, that’s a hell of a discount.
[This first story written by David Tracy. All others by Lewin Day].
Automakers Redirecting Shipments Due To Baltimore Bridge Collapse
As previously covered by The Autopian, the Francis Scott Key bridge was destroyed when it was struck by the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali in Baltimore earlier this week. As per the LA Times, authorities have stated six individuals are now sadly presumed dead due to the temperature of the water and the length of time since the bridge collapse.
The loss of the span combined with the disruption to port activity has some automakers rushing to adjust their logistics. The Detroit Free Press notes that both parts and whole cars commonly pass through the busy Port of Baltimore:
The early morning news Tuesday of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore sent the auto industry scrambling to mitigate any disruption to business.
The 1.6-mile bridge spans the Patapsco River, which leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for East Coast shipping. About 750,000 to 850,000 new vehicles go in and out of the port each year on haulers carrying about 1,000 cars each, auto industry experts said. Some parts, used in vehicle assembly, also pass through the port or across the bridge.
So far this month, Mazda had the most imports through Baltimore by dollar value, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
It’s not just imports that are affected, either. Domestic automakers in particular use the port to export vehicles to the European market. General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis have already stated they’re working on alternative shipping arrangements in the wake of the disaster. Cars could instead ship out of ports in New Jersey, Virginia, or South Carolina, Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions told the Detroit Free Press.
It’s possible that delays to parts shipments could impact further production at auto factories, too. The loss of the bridge isn’t just impacting the shipping channel, either. Trucks that would visit the port will now have to reroute through tunnels instead, lengthening travel times significantly.
The cause of the crash is still the subject of investigation. Whether mechanical failure or human error was the cause of the problem will become apparent in due course.
As an aside, The Lever noted that the shipping company Maersk was apparently cited months ago for a policy instructing workers to report problems internally before speaking to the Coast Guard. A bad look, but not necessarily a smoking gun. It’s worth noting that while the ship was operating for Maersk, the Dali was actually being operated for the shipping giant under charter. It was directly operated by charter company Synergy Group.
For now, it’s too early to know just how long operations at the port will be disrupted. There is a huge amount of debris to be recovered and cleaned up before normal operations can resume.
Chinese Automaker Claims First EV With Mass-Produced Solid-State Battery
Automakers across the world are rushing to get solid-state batteries to production-ready status. As per CarNewsChina, IM Motors may be gearing up to beat everybody to the punch in May:
IM Motors claim that the L6, due to launch in May, will come with the industry’s first mass-produced ultra-fast charging solid state battery. More details will be announced at the IM L6 Technology Conference on April 8 but we already know that the new battery will be 130 kWh.
Solid-state batteries have long promised to change the game for EVs. They’re supposed to offer far higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This would enable automakers to build EVs with far longer ranges. Less temperature sensitivity and lower flammability could enable faster charging, too.
So what of the L6? Well, a 130 kWh battery is pretty large for a sedan, but not outrageously so. How does it do on range? 497 miles on the WLTP test cycle. Not bad at all.
IM announced at the Geneva Motor Show that the L6 equipped with the solid state battery would have a CLTC range of 1000 km (CLTC) or under WLTP, 800 km. However, MIIT listings which are the precursor for a car going on sale do not feature a solid state battery. Instead the car comes with a choice 90 or 100 kWh ternary lithium (NCM) battery packs from CATL. The smaller pack gives the rear wheel drive version a 720 km CLTC range and the all-wheel drive 700 km whereas the 100 kWh battery gives 770 km and 750 km respectively.
Of course, it hasn’t shipped yet, so let’s wait and see if IM can deliver. Plus, without more specifics, it’s hard to know how big a deal this is. IM Motors may have stopped at building a 130 kWh battery, choosing weight savings over stuffing in as many batteries as possible. That could make the L6 very compelling indeed. Alternatively, the energy density of these first-gen solid-state cells may only be an incremental improvement over existing cells. Other automakers will be paying close attention, regardless.
Oh, and if you haven’t heard of IM Motors? It’s a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. Basically, there’s a ton of money and some significant automotive experience behind the brand, even if its first model only hit the market in 2022.
Texas Deputy Constable Arrested While Allegedly Street Racing—In Uniform
Normally, you’d expect police officers to be out on the roads trying to spot and deter street racing. One Harris County officer was allegedly keen to get involved on a more direct level, however, as per ABC13:
Uniformed law enforcement officers typically rush to an emergency or, in extreme situations, go after a fleeing suspect when they surpass 100 mph behind the wheel.
However, a Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constable, allegedly dressed for duty, was caught at those speeds over the weekend, doing neither. Instead, his Harris County Sheriff’s Office colleagues said he was part of a parking lot takeover that turned into a freeway race at dangerous speeds.
The officer is said to have been an attendee at an event that started as a perfectly innocent car meet-up. Promoted on Instagram by a group called Private Kings Club in partnership with Northside Movement and several sponsors, the meet was held at a parking lot on Old Humble Road, Humble.
Despite initial reports the event was a takeover, the “Park and Chill” event was perfectly legal and held with the permission of property owners. As ABC13 writes, attendeeds were told to avoid burnouts and donuts and “respect the property.” And yet, despite these clear instructions, the news site reports, a freeway race broke out in the vicinity anyway.
Leaving the event, the officer was allegedly spotted by police entering a freeway in a late-model black Ford Mustang. Reports state a Camaro and the officer’s Mustang were then spotted “pacing next to each other” before accelerating hard and exceeding 100 mph on the public road.
Hilariously, the officer was identified quite easily by the fact he was wearing his work uniform at the time.
In total, police allege four cars were spotted racing, with five arrests made by Harris County law enforcement, including the officer. The young officer was jailed and later bailed out on a $100 bond. His command was notified of the matter, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Sounds like some Brian O’Conner stuff.
Vettel Is Back On Track, Baby
Sebastian Vettel retired from Formula 1 one year before Aston Martin started really contending at the front of the pack. The German driver hasn’t expressed too many regrets, however, and has been getting his thrills elsewhere. This week, it was behind the wheel of a Porsche 963.
Vettel completed over 118 laps in two double stints at the Motorland Aragón circuit in Spain. The test covered 361 miles (581 km), and was Vettel’s first time behind the wheel of a hybrid LMDh prototype. Other than Vettel, seven Porsche works drivers are also attending the Spanish test. Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, and Frédéric Makowiecki are sharing the number 5 car, while Kévin Estre, André Lotterer and Laurens Vanthoor are in the number 6. All of these drivers are much faster than me around a kart track, I’m sure of it.
The Porsche Penske Motorsport Team will campaign the Porsche 963 at Le Mans this year. The team is aiming to take Porsche’s 20th overall victory, having already won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the first North American IMSA race this year.
No word yet on whether Vettel could join Porsche for Le Mans or any other sportscar races, but we’d love to see it come together.
What I’m Listening To While Doing TMD
Language warning!
I’ve got friends over this week, and we’re reminiscing about some of the more colorful characters we partied with over the years. I wrote this one for them.
Fun fact: most people agree that Australian KFC is superior to the modern American product.
The Big Question
What’s the most fun you’ve ever had in a car?
Image credits: Top shot Josh Hild via Unsplash License, ABC13 via Youtube screenshot, FBI, IM Motors, Porsche
That’s a lot of discount. So that means there is so much air even in the prices of new EVs from struggling manufacturers?…
They’re probably selling at a loss in preparation for bankruptcy, it seems Fisker has given up on making money and is trying to cut their losses.
Port activity currently at Baltimore can and will be rerouted to other ports, but that won’t be easy. Even with pullbacks due to companies nervous about a threatened downturn, available warehouse and outside storage space is very low. so finding places to put all the containers and cars coming into alternative ports will take some doing. New Jersey and Virginia will probably get most of the displaced cargo because they’re closer to established distribution lines. Depending on how long Baltimore is closed and how well the alternatives work, some of the displacement might be permanent as well.
Stellantis runs a lot of their products through the Port of Baltimore (you can see them parked right next to the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. There is also a lot of petroleum products that come in to be stored right before the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Nissan may be affected, since they have a Pre Delivery center just before the Key Bridge.
The tunnels were running fairly busy before this loss and this puts extra stress on a system that pulled at least 30k cars away from the tunnels and west side of I-695.
My commute runs through the McHenry tunnel and it has been noticeably heavier traffic the last two days, but not paralyzing. I also head south around 5:30 am and back north around 2:30 pm just to miss the more heavy typical rush hour.
I have to pick up some one at the airport at a little after 5 today so I may change my tune on the paralysis. I guess I’ll leave a half hour early to be sure.
“Trucks that would visit the port will now have to reroute through tunnels instead, lengthening travel times significantly.”
Trucks with hazmat and large equipment can not go in the tunnels, now have to go all the way around the north end of Baltimore beltway. On a good day its and hour more.
If you want to play the long game:
“What’s the most fun you’ve ever had in a car?”
[redacted]
Does it have to relate to driving, or … ?
They’re really not. Nobody should be buying one.
It’s not like we’re talking ICE here… where there’s at least a chance of DIY service.
Well, it was in a truck actually. I was helping a friend (with benefits) move out of her dorm room. One thing led to another and we found ourselves in a secluded spot just off the interstate late at night……Yeah. I’ll let you come to the most logical conclusion to this story.
Just because you CAN buy an Ocean doesn’t mean you SHOULD. Jesus Christ. I really feel for the folks who went out and bought these damn things at their original prices. Congrats! Your $60,000 car is now worth $30,000 and you owe $66,000 on the note since it’s at 9% APR because interest rates are fucked.
This is one of the many aspects of this big EV experiment that irk me. There are lots of pretty regular people who wanted to be an early adapter, took a chance on an expensive purchase, and are now deep underwater through no fault of their own with a car that’ll likely have no support in the near future. And when they finally have a chance to get out of their 3 ton bricks, do you think they’ll sprint to buy an EV again?
Of course not. And soon we’ll have a pile of resource intensive, heavy tablets that no one wants and can’t be fixed, all because some 1%er doofus decided they wanted a pet project. Obviously some of these issues are mitigated when you buy an EV from a regular brand…but the massive nut punch of depreciation isn’t. If you make 150k a year and bought a $40,000 BEV you’ll be fine.
But if you’re someone who makes 80k and bought one as a stretch purchase because you care about the environment that pile of money lost to depreciation can be back breaking. If you lose your job there’s no way out of your EV that you owe $40,000 on that’s now depreciated from $40,000 to $25,000 because of some tech influencer said it was trash while doing a tik tok dance.
This sucks. Badly. And as usual under capitalism the people left holding the bag are the people who can’t afford it, and I’m sure Henrik Fisker is going to feel so terrible as he cries into his pile of money on an island he and his wife bought with money they funneled to themselves. GOD. GET OFF MY LAWN!
If you want a new EV lease one. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
I feel terrible for these folks. We can’t expect the layperson to be fully aware of the risks when buying a new vehicle from an unknown company. This amount of value loss can be crippling if things go wrong enough. Imagine someone spending $60k plus, putting down 10 or 15 grand, and thinking because of that there was no need for Gap insurance. Car get’s totalled out from an accident, and the owner is left there with a $30,000 plus debt for nothing.
Just awful.
I don’t know, man. If you are making 80k and the rationale for spending a huge chunk of money on an overall wildly inefficient EV (that really isn’t all that great for the environment) is doing it because you care about the environment…well, you didn’t do your homework.
It does suck for them, but they reaped what they sowed.
I’m mostly with you but not on board with ‘at no fault of their own’. Not applying common sense is in fact a fault of their own
This can be directed at both you and my fellow Blackwing appreciator getstoney…I’m in upper management in the mental health field, I have literally made a career out of being empathetic. I’m kind of inherently wired to view things from the perspective of the whole system rather than individuals, if that makes sense.
Did some of these people willingly make bad decisions? Yes. Are that fact and feeling bad for them mutually exclusive? No. We can do both. I think to a large extent they were set up to fail. But that doesn’t apply to every single case, sometimes people just choose to do something dumb with their money. I know I have…
I’m not picking a fight, but how exactly were they set up to fail when it’s clearly a vanity purchase? It’s not like they got double-dipped and duped into buying a useless whole house HVAC system.
If the depreciation on your luxury EV vanity purchase is what financially cripples you, then that’s just reality inflicting the education you have somehow dodged until now, and from a removed perspective is something to be celebrated. I don’t particularly care if your intentions for the purchase were noble, those are well-trod on the highway to hell.
It’s the same people that took out 120%, no-doc, interest only loans. They signed on the bottom line, took the risk, and lost.
Whoopsie.
Reminds me of what folks probably went through in the 1920s with all those regional automakers that came and then vanished quickly. Heck, you go to almost any mid-sized city in the midwest US and you’ll find that there was an ill-fated automaker there that came and vanished between 1910 and 1929…
Much like these EV startups they were mostly high-end too.
The only good thing about those was that a lot of them were “component” cars, assembled from off-the-shelf parts sourced from large parts suppliers or bigger automakers, so it wasn’t too impossible in all cases. One thing not often considered though was how ridiculous finding headlight bulbs and replacement lamps was before sealed beams were standardized
Also they were so simple and it was an era where most semi-major cities still had all sorts of workshops so even if it wasn’t some off the shelf part, you could probably find someone in the city to just make something for you that would work. You might not be able to get the correct replacement radiator for example but you could probably find someone in town that could make a radiator that would work
This is all Moore’s Crossing the Chasm at work. EV’s are an early market product. Mostly purchased by early adopters and innovators. They simply accept the risk of volatility in the market and pay early adopter prices because margins are where they need to be yet. The industry is trying to figure out how it’s going to get EVs into the mainstream market, and has some work to do to get it there.
There will be lots of people that gamble on an EV, only to find out it wasn’t the right choice for a myriad of reasons. Most of them had the capital to make the premium purchase, and they all should have understood the risks.
Thats why I leased a Polestar 2, and cant wait to be done with it (9 months). The support is awful, getting an appointment is months ahead of time. Their values dropped like a rock and people trying to get off a lease they have to pay the remaining months plus whatever difference is in value of the residual vs the actual market. Even GM has better support with their electric cars. Don’t buy from a random company that even if they have support from a major player, its not the same if they are run as a separate entity.
It is just crazy the things you need to worry about when buying an EV even from an established brand. Stuff like worrying about where you can get service or how long it’ll take or will I make it to the next charging station (if road-tripping) are the antithesis of luxury which many of these cars are pitched as. I think they’re cool, but I’ll continue to wait it out a little while longer..
I’m considering a job with a sizable (30-40 minute each way) commute for the first time in my life and am looking at EVs to make that trip pleasant and efficient.
I really REALLY don’t want a Tesla, but I do want access to their charging network. Which means I need to wait at least another 6 months.
If that Volvo EX30 is out in time, that would be perfection.
Agree with the lease comment (same thing with most BMWs). In this case these Oceans are a compelling deal if Fisker includes all the source code for all the electronics and specs/drawings for all the parts. These cars should last a long time and with some ingenuity and friends it is likely you can keep these on the road for a long time and get your money’s worth. My guess is the maintenance parts like wheel bearings, shafts, etc. are off-the-shelf so you should have access to what is needed to keep the car on the road.
The timing of all of Fisker’s challenges are unfortunate – the world needs more small, innovative car companies.
Trying to get one of those cheap Ioniq6 leases but available dealer stock went fast in my area. I *absolutely* have no intention of buying an electric car much before 2028, but a screaming good lease deal has me looking.
Oh they tempt me too. I’m waiting to see what Porsche offers on the new Macan EV. Initially BMW was leasing i5s at $599 a month. You can lease a Lucid Air Pure for $699 a month. The new electric Kona is currently leasing for $169. I actually think EV leases are the best deals on the entire market right now…just don’t buy them!
EV cars now have that same feeling desktop computers did in the 90s.
‘This $1500 400mhz computer is the SHIT’
*two months later an 800mhz computer comes out*
On the other hand, PC computers in the 90s were highly modular, could be upgraded in some ways, and the software was independent of the hardware. They were function over form.
EVs are more form over function.
So I guess it is kind of like buying a 1998 iMAC G3.
I love those GTP cars, it would be cool to see Vettel join that field in WEC or IMSA.
Second Ocean-related comment: here’s what I would do as a last-ditch attempt to sell these. Discounting is a must and was already done. Next step, immediately open source all software that runs on the Ocean. A community could grow and fix issues/create new features.
Unless some benevolent billionaire buys the brand and open source it, I don’t see that happening. Part of the value of the EV company is the driver information (ie their behavior).
Subsequent companies aren’t likely going to let car owners get out of the walled garden (by open sourcing and allow changes) if they can.
Also I am pretty sure when the original agreements were signed, the suppliers didn’t sign up for their drivers to be open sourced.. so you will end up with something like Android being open sourced, but the driver level ones are not, so you still end up with glitches because it is the drivers that are causing problems.
Once the Fisker go bankrupt / liquidate, all the privacy, EULA agreements go out of the window. That valuable driver information can be mined and resold for profit because well the agreement you had was with a company that technically no long exists.
The only viable way for the open source scenario to happen is through legislation like “Right to Repair” bills, while Fisker is still a business. Which is as likely as winning the Powerball.
Or the company made the business differentiating decision from the beginning to be as open source as possible like Aptera
Clearance rack EV? Hell, I’ll buy the shelf with the store closing. This might actually be a funny impulse buy for me, if you can even buy one…. Or count on it being delivered.
I’m one of the very few people who are okay with having zero dealer/manufacturer/service center support with an EV since I’d just keep throwing stuff out and replacing it with homebrew stuff as it breaks. I’ll take like… six or seven.
If I had a nickel for everytime Henrik Fisker bankrupted a car company, I’d have 2 nickels which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.
Some social media company went public yesterday. Maybe I can get SEVEN nickels this time.
Don’t forget to order the new Bible offering from our friend Satan.
He needs the cash, now.
Good. Everyone should read the Bible.
Nothing turns people into atheists faster than REALLY reading the Bible.
It’s hard forme to take it seriously knowing King James authored Daemonologie as a serious text too.
Then he should call JG Wentworth.
You’d have more nickels than Fisker investors.
Just make sure Perry doesn’t take those nickels from you.
Still has a ways to go to catch up with Billy Durant and Malcolm Bricklin, though
The Ford motor company that exists today was Henry’s 3rd attempt
So how do you actually buy one of those Oceans? The website doesn’t seem to let you…
Cops & donuts
Paid leave
Woohoo! Vacation!
Vietnamese KFC was shockingly good compared to what you get stateside.
From my experience, most foreign fast food is better than what the same place offers in the U.S.
Except for British McDonald’s. If you didn’t think McDonald’s could get any worse, boy do I have some news for you.
American fast food + British culinary culture… what could go wrong?
It’s been said that the British conquered the world in search of spices, only to decide not to use any of them.
It’s funny you should mention that, my fries from the British McDonald’s weren’t even salted. I’ll admit that I enjoy a McNugget meal once in a while and the fries are always the best part as long as you eat them in the 2 minute window after you get your meal that they’re still hot.
It’s a good thing the beer in England is acceptable.
Ugh, yes. McDonalds fries are so sensitive. 50% of the time I toss them, the quality is so bad
James May said that Heaven is where the cars are German, the cooks are French, and the cops are British. And Hell is where the cops are German, the Cooks are British, and the cars are French.
This is close, the original version includes the Italians.
The version I heard was:
In heaven the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are Germans, the bankers are Swiss, and the lovers are Italian.
In hell the cooks are British, the mechanics are French, the police are Germans, the lovers are Swiss, and the bankers are Italian.
What do you have against the McKidney pie with a side of mushy peas?!
Well it is food… in Britain.
I remember walking by a Burger King in Singapore. Besides my confusion as to why a place like Singapore with it’s amazing culinary culture would have a Burger King, there were people out front throwing up. I just assumed it was a bunch of late night drunks. The next day I saw in the news about the food poisoning outbreak there.
So it’s just like American Burger King. Twice now they’ve got me, I don’t visit there anymore.
That was Carl’s Jr for me. 2/2 there.
There is so much western food in Singapore that when I visited I had to tell my business host that I wanted local fare, not something I could get in the US.
I simply don’t touch Burger King.
Vietnamese KFC is wonderful. It’s because they use local chicken which isn’t industrial farmed.
Now, I’m really sad Fisker didn’t lead with the Alaska.
Solid state batteries sounds good. Call me when they can recharge over night by moonlight.
Hmm, I bet that Magna will sell other vehicles on that platform. Repairs wouldn’t be impossible, just very difficult. Good luck getting insurance on one of those. Maybe a company like Haggerty would do an agreed-value policy. Then cross fingers nothing happens.
Funny. My first thought was that at $25K it would be worth buying one just to harvest the batteries.
That’s a good idea! Fully functional EV drive system that is ready to drop into whatever.
Seems like Cuba is the perfect market for the Fiskers. They’ve been keeping cars on the road without support or parts for decades.
Love the song and video! I think we all know a King.
Taking a conversion van full of friends to SoccerFest in Bethlehem, PA to watch the men’s or women’s World Cup during a summer. Definitely the most fun I’ve had in a vehicle. Also where I got the nickname of “Dad”.
Never a good sign when your EV company is following the Sondors Metacycle playbook
Fisker cratering prices this massively is a sign they’re trying to liquidate remaining inventory before declaring bankruptcy. The minute the news of their official collapse hits, their inventory won’t even be worth half of the newly reduced MSRP.
Yep, its a quick cash grab while they still can.
Also, if they are still technically turning a per unit profit at these new MSRPs, that just means the prices were wildly, wildly inflated beyond all reason to start with. That’s if, though, I expect they’re actuallt taking a huge bath
Given the losses legacy automakers are taking on EVs, and what losses newer startups like Rivian and Lucid are taking on their EVs with better established production, Fisker was already losing a lot, and now they’re just completely desperate.
Interesting, it doesn’t look like you can buy a Fisker through their website anymore.
Last week, you could see the inventory that is nearby for delivery in a few days. Now it just lets you build an Ocean, and then do nothing with that build.
I assume mfgr support for these is marginal at best and will be nil once they go bankrupt. When the remaining inventory is flushed at golf cart prices some entrepreneurial folks who can do software fixes might get some value out of one.
Yeah, I wouldn’t consider one unless it was like “throwaway money”. Even then, I’d probably rather just buy a used Chevy Bolt or something. I can get that serviced somewhere.
I just thought they’d be trying to move their existing inventory. I could see suspending orders. Maybe they had to fire the website guy already.
You can buy a new Chevy Bolt for less than that RIGHT NOW. I swear people don’t realize how inexpensive they are.
For Hollywood David, forty grand is what he tips the valet to park his i3 up front.
If I was slightly more stupid and could afford to lose $25k I would honestly be somewhat tempted by a cheap Ocean.