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Fisker previews Orbit autonomous shuttle

Fisker Inc. isn't just working on an expensive performance EV. The manufacturer, headed by designer Henrik Fisker, is also working on a new " UltraCharger," and has filed patents for solid-state batteries. Now, the company has announced that it is partnering with China's Hakim Unique Group to build an autonomous shuttle for smart cities. Fisker says its Orbit self-driving electric shuttles will be ready by the end of 2018. Fisker hasn't provided a lot of specifics about the Orbit, but we do get a glimpse of it in the two images the company has released. The pod-like vehicle looks to be designed to maximize interior space. The side window has a display that shows the shuttle's next stop and departure time. There appears to be a door ahead of the rear wheels, but we can't really tell if it swings or slides open (we'd guess the latter). The partnership combines Fisker's automotive and design expertise with Hakim Unique Group's resources. Both partners have an interest in mobility and smart infrastructure. Fisker says the first Orbit autonomous shuttle will be deployed in a "Hakim Unique-implemented smart city." We hope to hear more details about this project soon. In the meantime, we can look forward to the public debut of the Fisker EMotion. The luxury EV, which boasts a range of 400-plus miles and a base price of $129,000, will be revealed next month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It also incorporates autonomous technology, but is more focused on a good driving experience. Related Video: News Source: Fisker Green Fisker Green Automakers Green Culture Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles Electric Future Vehicles Henrik Fisker fisker inc

Wanxiang approved to build new Karma, Atlantic EVs in China

Ever since buying the remnants of Fisker back in 2014, Wanxiang's plan has always included building new vehicles in China. We're one step closer to that, with the approval this month of Wanxiang's request to build electric vehicles in the country. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) says Wanxiang can build a new factory that can make up to 50,000 EVs a year. As we noted back in August, the new Karma Automotive factory will not only build the revived model that used to be known as the Fisker Karma (now the Karma Revero) but also the never-made Atlantic. The Atlantic did exist in concept form in 2012, but Wanxiang's new factory might make it real. This makes sense, since the Valmet machines that built the Karma the first time around have been shipped from Finland to California for Wanxiang's new plant there. When Wanxiang relaunched the Karma website in 2014, it did so with the slogan, "Hello Future. Meet the Atlantic." Maybe it should have said, "Hello China," instead. Related Video: Featured Gallery Fisker Atlantic News Source: Reuters Government/Legal Green Plants/Manufacturing Fisker Electric Hybrid wanxiang karma revero

New Fisker ready to reopen in California?

We've reported extensively about Tesla Motors developing its massive Gigafactory in the hinterlands near Reno, Nevada. Now, reports are coming out that the most recent incarnation of Fisker Automotive will build a factory about halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. There's lots of land left out there for any other aspiring plug-in automakers. Fisker, which is now owned by China-based Wanxiang, already has offices in Costa Mesa, CA, and employs about 200 people there, according to the Orange County Register. Now, Fisker will build a 556,000-square-foot plant in Moreno Valley, CA, which is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles proper. The factory will employ about 150 people who will restart the brand with a model said to be called the Elux. The Register didn't get any details on when we could expect to see new Fiskers on the road. As for the old ones, Fisker last month debuted thenewfisker.com, a support site parts and service for owners to "elevate" the expensive and sporty extended-range Fisker Karma electric vehicles. Wanxiang bought Fisker out of bankruptcy early last year for $149.2 million. Fisker went bankrupt in 2013, a year after halting production on the Karma. In all, about 2,600 of those plug-ins were produced. Related Videos: