2023 Fisker Karma One - Launch Limited Edition on 2040-cars

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NHTSA opens preliminary probe into Fisker Ocean over door failure

The U.S. auto safety regulator said on Wednesday it had opened a preliminary probe into Fisker's 2023 Ocean SUVs after complaints that the doors of the electric vehicles sometimes failed to open, the latest setback for the cash-strapped startup. The regulator said its Office of Defects Investigation received 14 complaints alleging an intermittent failure of the latch and handle that prevented the opening of the driver, front passenger and/or rear doors. Some of the reports also alleged the emergency override mechanism also failed to open the door. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) preliminary evaluation will look into the scope and severity of the potential problem to assess its impact on safety. The regulator could close the investigation into Fisker without taking any potential action. Fisker, whose stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange last month over failure to comply with listing norms, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NHTSA is also investigating Fisker for two prior incidents — one regarding issues with the 2023 Ocean SUV's brakes and the other pertaining to unintended vehicle movement. Fisker is facing mounting uncertainty after talks with a large automaker for a potential investment collapsed last month, forcing it to look for options including in- or out-of-court restructurings and capital market transactions. The company said last week it would cut the prices of its 2023 Ocean SUV models to boost sales and raise capital to meet debt obligations as it faces depleting cash reserves. Fisker, like other EV makers, is grappling with intense competition, as well as customers holding back big-ticket purchases due to higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty. The company said on March 18 that it would pause vehicle production for six weeks.

Recharge Wrap-up: Fisker owner Wanxiang owns a lot of US real estate, carmakers gaming EU emissions system

Wanxiang Group says it might now be China's largest corporate investor in American real estate. The owner of both Fisker Automotive and battery company A123 Systems, and parts supplier to Mazda and Chrysler, Wanxiang has invested in over 60 projects in the US since 2010. Returns on those investments have been "very, very, very" high, according to Wanxiang America President Pin Ni. "We can invest in clean energy, auto, real estate or anything, but the key is pegging it well to the economic cycle," says Ni. Read more at Bloomberg. Cars sold in 2014 in Europe are exceeding 2015 targets for emissions, but not necessarily for the right reasons. The cars produce 2.6 percent (or 123.4 g/km) less CO2 than cars sold in 2013, which is nearly 7 g/km less than 2015 targets. Unfortunately, these results are influenced in part by manufacturers taking advantage of flaws in the EU testing procedures for better results. Real-world fuel economy is about 31 percent less than official ratings. "These figures need to be treated with extreme caution," says Greg Archer, clean vehicles manager at Transport & Environment. Most of the measured improvement is being delivered through manipulating tests, not delivering real-world improvements. We need the new test to be introduced without further delay." Read more at DieselNet, or from Transport & Environment. Ballard will supply fuel cell modules for eight hydrogen-powered buses in China. Shipping later this year, the FCvelocityTM-HD7 power modules will power buses in multiple Chinese for cities. "We are now beginning to see meaningful evidence of growing demand for clean energy mass transportation alternatives in China, including both buses and trams," says Ballard President and CEO Randy MacEwen. "This demand is being driven by a pressing need to address China's challenging air quality issues, for which fuel cell technology is seen as an emerging option." Read more from Ballard in the press release below. Ballard Inks Deal to Supply Next-Generation Fuel Cell Power Product For Eight Buses in China April 15, 2015 Vancouver, Canada – Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) today announced that it has received an order from a Chinese customer to supply its next-generation FCvelocityTM-HD7 power modules for 8 buses to be deployed in a number of Chinese cities. Ballard expects to ship all of the modules in 2015.

The Force will be strong with Fisker in Detroit

Henrik Fisker is going to the Detroit Auto Show to show off two new cars, one of them a two-seat American "super sports car" called The Force 1. We know The Force 1 will have a Fisker-designed carbon fiber body laid over a front-engined American production car, is said to be a daily driver with the precision of a track car and the comfort of a luxury sports car, is priced near $300,000, and no more than 50 units will be produced starting next year. However, Fisker isn't divulging much more than that, including what the donor car is.The sketch shows off a number of Fisker cues like a long nose and short tail, wide body and even wider wheel arches, and large wheels - The Force 1 gets 21-inchers. "Laser blade" taillights will warn those behind, we imagine the sound of an engine said to have among the world's highest naturally aspirated outputs will give everyone else the signal to stay back. Power goes to the rear wheels only, with either a six-speed manual or an automatic with paddle shifters. The coupe is fitted with an active suspension developed by an American race car driver, Fisker saying that the unnamed driver uses the suspension on his race car.Our first guess for a two-seat donor car with an engine sturdy enough for such a tune would have been a Chevrolet Corvette, but the six-speed manual would mean Fisker scrapped the Corvette's standard seven-speed manual. The press conference revealing all secrets will happen on January 12. The release below can tide you over until then.Related Video: HENRIK FISKER DEBUTS NEW AMERICAN SUPER CAR "THE FORCE 1"AT THE 2016 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW ON JANUARY 12December 10, 2015 - Henrik Fisker, the founder of Henrick Fisker Design, will be taking the wraps off a new sports car, The Force 1, at a press conference at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on the main show floor on January 12, at 10:05 a.m.This high-performance automobile is an American take on a super sports car featuring powerful, dramatic sculptural exterior styling, Ultra Thin Ventilated (UTV) laser blade tail lamps and a luxurious contemporary interior for two people. The body on the limited edition auto is all carbon fiber sitting on 21" wheels with high performance Pirelli P Zero tires, controlled by a unique new active suspension.Priced just under $300,000, The Force 1 is the only American sports car in this price category.