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Fisker teases electric crossover, considers 11 states for production

We have some new breadcrumbs to follow on Fisker's affordable battery-electric crossover planned for 2021. The company released a new teaser image, said it has hired a veteran executive who formerly oversaw manufacturing at Volkswagen and Toyota, and said it is considering at least 11 states for a production location. First is the new teaser image, showing the still-unnamed 'ute in front three-quarters view. It gives a better sense of the crossover's raised stance and swept-back front glass than the previous frontal view, and it shows off the squared front wheel well, framing a seven-spoke wheel. There's also the slightest of definition of the rear hatch, courtesy of the dim brake light. Fisker said it has appointed Don Jackson as its senior advisor of manufacturing to spearhead strategy and site selection. Jackson has more than 40 years of manufacturing leadership, having worked most recently as president of manufacturing at Volkswagen of America, overseeing VW's Chattanooga, Tennessee plant from 2008 to 2012. He previously as senior vice president of quality and production for Toyota's Texas operations and also oversaw Toyota's manufacturing operations in Kentucky. Since leaving VW, he has worked as a consultant on lean manufacturing and other best management practices. He'll presumably continue to ply his trade in the United States, as Fisker says it's finalizing the selection of a location to build the SUV via an RFP process with at least 11 states. The company says California, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia are all in the running. "I share Fisker's vision of driving mass electrification forward by producing more desirable EVs for the global market here in the United States, and I look forward to building a disruptive strategy that combines Fisker's unique business model with the very best manufacturing processes that assure unparalleled results and outstanding, reliable products," Jackson said in a statement. "The Fisker team is committed to exceeding customer expectations globally." Fisker announced the new crossover last month, saying it would be priced below $40,000, will feature an 80-plus kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is targeting a range of about 300 miles in a bid to take on Tesla and its own forthcoming Model Y crossover. Final pricing and a drivable prototype is anticipated by the end of 2019. The vehicle is expected to launch in the second half of 2021.

Fisker Ronin previewed as electric four-door, four-seater convertible

Fisker plans to expand its range of electric vehicles with a four-door, four-seater convertible called Ronin. The model is being engineered to have "the world's longest range for a production EV," according to the company, and a new digital rendering gives us a better look at it. Published on the official Fisker website, the computer-generated preview image shows a convertible with a futuristic-looking front end that's characterized by a light strip made up of individual LEDs. There's no grille, which isn't surprising for an electric vehicle, but it looks like designers chiseled air intakes into the lower part of the front bumper. McLaren-like dihedral front doors and massive wheels add a touch of drama to the design. We don't know how the rear doors open yet, and Fisker hasn't released images of the Ronin's rear end or interior yet. Earlier in 2022, company founder Henrik Fisker pledged that the Ronin will offer 660 miles of driving range when tested on the WLTP cycle used in Europe. While the convertible's EPA-estimated range will undoubtedly be lower, even a 500-mile range would be an impressive figure. We don't know how Fisker plans to achieve that yet. In terms of specifications, all that's been announced is that the Ronin will offer "extremely high levels of performance" and serve as "a showcase for [Fisker's] internal engineering, powertrain and software capabilities." It's being developed by Magic Works, a United Kingdom-based division tasked with bringing special high-end projects to production. If everything goes according to plan, Fisker will unveil the Ronin as a close-to-production concept in August 2023 and will begin building the model the following year, according to Motor Authority. Pricing will reportedly start under $200,000. In the meantime, the company will continue developing a smaller, far more affordable, and Foxconn-built EV called Pear that's allegedly due out by the end of 2024. Green Fisker Convertible Electric

Wanxiang officially acquires Fisker Delaware plant for $18 million

Perhaps Wanxiang is serious about finally, actually re-starting plug-in hybird Fisker production. One of the first big official steps that The New Fisker has taken, other than putting up a new website, is to buy that old disparaged General Motors plant new Newport, DE for $18 million. Technically, the Delaware plant was included in the Fisker Automotive assets that Wanxiang America won at a bankruptcy auction for $149.2 million last month. What happened last week, according to Delaware Online, is that the plant property was officially transferred to a Wanxiang America affiliate, WX Delaware Real Estate Holding Co. The cost was broken out for the first time and it comes to, you guessed it, $18 million. In a bygone age, Fisker said it could make up to 100,000 Karma electric vehicles a year at the Delaware plant. The California automaker officially bought the plant from "old GM" in late 2009, but never did anything with it, despite Vice President Joe Biden's enthusiastic appearance at the announcement in 2009 (pictured). Five years and one bankruptcy later, we are are curious as ever to see if either the Karma or the Atlantic ever actually rolls off the assembly line there. Of course, the next big step will be to build an assembly line. Related Gallery Fisker Atlantic News Source: Delaware OnlineImage Credit: Rob Carr / AP Green Plants/Manufacturing Fisker Electric Hybrid PHEV wanxiang fisker atlantic delaware fisker production