2023 Fisker Ocean One on 2040-cars

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Fisker stops production, warns it may need to seek bankruptcy

Fisker Inc. is pausing production for the next six weeks as the electric-vehicle maker looks to rein in inventory and avoid possibly having to file for bankruptcy. The company didn’t make a required interest payment of about $8.4 million last week on its unsecured convertible notes due in 2026, according to a regulatory filing Monday. Fisker warned it may not be able to meet obligations to service its debt and “could need to seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.” Fisker shares fell as much as 14% shortly after the start of regular trading. The stock had plummeted 90% this year through last weekÂ’s close. Fisker also said Monday that it plans to raise as much as $150 million through a financing deal with the holder of its 2025-dated convertible notes. The Los Angeles-based EV maker didnÂ’t identify the existing investor and said the funding will be organized in four tranches and subject to certain conditions. The disclosures expound on the dire state of Fisker, which warned late last month that there was substantial doubt about its ability to stay in business. The company has said it will cut 15% of its workforce after struggling with production issues, software glitches and short-seller criticism. Fisker said it remains in negotiations with an unidentified large automaker about a potential investment and joint development partnership. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that the company was in talks with JapanÂ’s Nissan Motor Co., citing people familiar with the matter. In its statement, Fisker said it has about 4,700 vehicles in inventory worth more than $200 million. ItÂ’s pausing production in Graz, Austria, starting this week to sell down its supply of already-built EVs.   Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Fisker

The billionaire's passion behind Wanxiang's Fisker bid

If it weren't for billionaire Lu Guanqiu, founder of Chinese auto parts giant Wanxiang Group, the Fisker Automotive bankruptcy bailout deal might have closed earlier this month. Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li, along with Li's affiliate company Hybrid Tech Holdings, assumed their offer was going to be accepted. Instead, the US bankruptcy court judge called for an open auction bid for Fisker's assets on February 12. Lu made a few convincing points to the judge. There's another interesting part of the story that Lu didn't share it with the judge. If the Fisker deal doesn't work out, Lu and Wanxiang might increase their working relationship with Tesla Motors. Lu told US bankruptcy judge Kevin Gross that Wanxiang, which now owns Fisker's supplier of lithium batteries, A123 Systems, is better placed than Hybrid Tech Holdings to restart and expand production at Fisker. Better yet, Wanxiang could move production from Finland to the US. That was convincing enough for Gross to schedule the auction. Lu's move toward taking over ownership and restoring Fisker seems to be driven by two motivations: converting his company from a parts maker to an automaker; and to grow the yet-to-be profitable "new energy " business such as lithium battery and electric vehicle makers. For Lu, it's not so much about believing in Fisker – it's more about playing a leading role in electric vehicles – and that could come through deepening its connection to Tesla Motors. "Of course we want to pocket Fisker. But we will bid rationally," he said to Reuters. "Whatever the result, nothing can stop us from making electric cars." Check out more about Lu in this Reuters piece, including how he and six other farmers pooled together $500 in 1969 to start what would become Wanxiang. Featured Gallery Fisker Karma at Laguna Seca News Source: Reuters Government/Legal Green Fisker Tesla Electric wanxiang

2024 Fisker Ocean Extreme price chopped, other trims get more expensive

Fisker is changing up the pricing for its Ocean SUV by drastically reducing the price of its top trim and increasing the price of its lower trims. The biggest swing is for the Ocean Extreme trim, as Fisker is dropping the MSRP by $7,500 down to just $61,499. Additionally, Fisker says that “customers who have already ordered or purchased an Ocean Extreme will receive a $7,500 price adjustment.” Why is Fisker dropping the price so much? “It is essential that Fisker responds to competitive realities in the rapidly growing EV market,” CEO Henrik Fisker said. Without saying so out loud, that means Tesla. The Model YÂ’s pricing has fluctuated wildly over the past couple of years, and while a nearly $70,000 SUV mightÂ’ve been a competitive price point before, Fisker thinks it needs to get closer in line with the marketÂ’s current pricing. All that said, the price of the Ultra and Sport models will be going up at the same time. The Ultra is up by $3,000 to $52,999, and the Sport is up by $1,500 to $38,999. This new pricing will go into effect on November 6, which is when Fisker says itÂ’s opening ordering for 2024 model year Oceans. Anybody with an order in before November 5 will get to retain their original (lower) pricing. Beyond the pricing news, Fisker says its Extreme trim is officially EPA-rated for 350 miles of range now. EPA ratings for the lower trims still arenÂ’t out, but Fisker claims 231 miles for its base Sport trim. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.