2023 Fisker Ocean One on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla hiring new sales executives, A123 focuses on starter batteries

A123 Systems is shifting more of its focus to lithium-ion starter batteries for cars with stop-start systems. The company sees the smaller batteries as a safer, more viable way to bounce back from its recent bankruptcy than by providing battery packs to power EVs. A123 still provides EV batteries to China, and hopes to provide them to Fisker, which is now owned by a mutual parent company, Wanxiang. A123's Detroit facility is currently building starter batteries for Mercedes-Benz, with microhybrid battery production expected in within the next few years. Read more at Automotive News. Tesla Motors Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Service Jerome Guillen is being reassigned to a role in customer satisfaction. After struggling sales in California and China, Tesla is also seeking sales executives for its three major sales regions: North America, Europe and Asia. "Once they are on board, Jerome's focus will be on post- sales activity from delivery to long-term customer care, where he has done an incredible job," says Tesla. For 2014, North America made up about 55 percent of Tesla's sales, while Europe and Asia made up 30 and 15 percent, respectively. Tesla expects those numbers to eventually be distributed evenly, and aims to increase sales by 74 percent this year. Read more at Automotive News. David Noland of Green Car Reports wants Tesla to address a double-pedal problem in the Model S. Noland says that when both the accelerator and brake pedal are pressed at the same time, it can increase the stopping distance, creating unsafe situations. Noland, along with other drivers with large feet, are having problems with this due to the narrow spacing between the pedals. Elon Musk has stated that the Model S limits torque in a double-pedal situation, but Noland's own tests find some inconsistencies. Noland would like to see a change to the firmware to address this problem. Read more at Green Car Reports. Featured Gallery Tesla Model S View 10 Photos Related Gallery 2012 Fisker Karma: Second Drive View 30 Photos News Source: Automotive News, Automotive News, Green Car ReportsImage Credit: Tesla Motors Green Fisker Tesla Green Automakers Safety Electric recharge wrapup

Recharge Wrap-up: Karma expands in Michigan, Genovation to attempt another record

Karma Automotive (Fisker's successor) is expanding its engineering and program management team at its new Michigan office as it plans to launch the Revero. "Detroit is the home of some of the top technical resources and leading suppliers in the world," says Karma VP of Engineering Darren Post. Recent hires include former Ford GT engineer Kip Ewing, newly appointed President & Chief Operations Officer Dennis Dougherty, and other employees who "bring with them expertise in many technical areas and deep experience with many great companies such as Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Tesla, Ford, FCA, and GM," according to Post. Read more in the press release from Karma. Businesses and developers in Phoenix, Arizona are planning their endeavors around the city's light rail project. Mixed use space The Newton, DeSoto Central Market, and Luhrs City Center are all located along the Valley Metro rail line. Not only does the light rail system help bring in customers, it is also a great way for employees to get to work. Valley Metro recently gave a tour of several businesses to highlight how light rail has been an important part of growth and development in the city. Read more at Mass Transit. Genovation is looking to set a new speed record for a street-legal electric car. The company recently set a record of 186.8 miles per hour in its GXE (Genovation eXtreme Electric car), which uses the frame and body of a Chevrolet Corvette. Now, Genovation is looking to push those limits further. We'll update you when we have more details, but for now, read more in the note below. Genovation Looks to Set Second World Speed Record With Proprietary All-Electric Vehicle WHAT: Genovation Cars is looking to make history once again by breaking the top speed world record for a street legal all electric car. Genovation currently holds the world record, achieved on February 23, 2016 by reaching a top speed of 186.8 mph with its GXE (Genovation eXtreme Electric car). Genovation's custom vehicles combine cutting edge green technology with the Corvette's lightweight frame and aerodynamic body that allow the vehicles to reach record-breaking speeds. The record breaking attempt is open to select media with advance security clearance. Join us to learn more about Genovation Cars and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into building the fastest all-electric vehicle on the planet.

Edmunds bought a Fisker Ocean, warns others not to make the same mistake

We're going to guess you were not considering buying a 2023 Fisker Ocean SUV, even at the recent deeply discounted prices. However. On the microscopically remote chance you were considering acquiring an Ocean, Edmunds suggests you reconsider. In fact, the car-buying site doesn't merely suggest, it headlines a piece on the battery-electric SUV it bought in January, "Do not buy a new Fisker Ocean; Fisker's uncertain future makes buying an Ocean too much of a gamble." What makes the Edmunds piece more interesting than information you already know or mere piling on is that the site details much of its time with the Ocean, from the sorely under-baked delivery version that they paid $69,012 for to the slightly more livable but still misfit version missing promised features and recently hammered by at least 43% in depreciation. Similar to the issues Edmunds had with its Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Ocean's dash loved to throw up warning lights and errors before the OS 2.0 software update. The key fob had separation issues, occasionally needing to touch the door handle to unlock the SUV; Edmunds didn't mention the door latch issue the NHTSA is investigating. The Ocean's audio system enjoyed giving the silent treatment, and the e-motors wouldn't hold the vehicle when stopped on a hill.   The 2.0 software apparently fixed the fob, the dash lights, and infotainment responsiveness, while adding features like data on solar panel energy and trailer sway control. But the anticipated adaptive cruise control didn't materialize, and the new brake hold feature relies on a fiddly driver's-seat sensor that can put the Ocean in Park if the driver shifts their weight in the seat.     So, you can get an Ocean in dealer inventor today for fixed pricing as low as $24,999, no matter the options. Edmunds advises: Don't. Meanwhile, the latest report is that Fisker has withdrawn its financial guidance for the year while it tries to scare up a rescue plan. Even brand-specific forum Fiskerati jumped ship — it's now a general EV-focused site called CH4RGE. The All Things Fisker forum remains, though, and its current trade-in prices thread is brief, wild reading, from dealers unwilling to take the car, to initial offers in the $20,000s to $40,000s dropping to zero, to a few posters determined to stick it out with their delivered cars.  It's not like the Ocean's alone in foibles, though. The Issues.