Fisker Runs Out Of Batteries, Stops Karma Production
Fisker put production of its Karma plug-in hybrid on hold. Reason: It is running out of batteries. Bankrupt battery manufacturer A123 Systems has cut its output.
According to a Reuters report, Fisker has enough lithium-ion batteries on hand in case an owner needs a replacement, but that’s it.
A123 will be auctioned-off on December 6, and Fisker hopes to receive more clarity and hopefully batteries from the new owners.
Johnson Controls and China’s Wanxiang Group seem to be the main bidders. Other interested parties may be NEC of Japan and Germany’s Siemens. Says Reuters:
“The U.S. government said this week that A123 could not be sold without its consent. Fisker and A123 have both received funding under a federal program designed to create an advanced vehicle manufacturing base in the United States.”
The Chinese government already approved the purchase on A123 by Wanxiang.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Not a comment on the article. But that's the most adorable pic I've ever seen.
The bunnies are just too cute!
wonder how much had Uncle sam had pumped into Fisker, if its enuf I guess US wont let the battery folks to leave or stop making batteries, is clearly between a rock & a hard place!
I'm subscribing to this article just because of the cute bunnies.