Tesla and Fisker Sitting in a Tree

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

If ever two automotive companies deserved each other, it's Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive. The former is the erstwhile maker of an electric roadster that's the dictionary definition of irony (the discrepancy between expectation and reality). The latter is a failed "coach-builder" (of hideously expensive re-sculpted SL and 6-Series) turned EV tree-hugger. And now, Autoblog breathlessly reveals that Henrik Fisker designed Tesla's imaginary WhiteStar sedan. Apparently, Tesla kept the design (for its next prospectus) and told Fisker to f-off on the production front. In case you thought this means anything, here's a bit from yesterday's press release from Fisker, which I couldn't quite blog because of a sudden attack of hype-related biliousness. "Fisker Automotive, Inc., a green American premium car company, today announced Fisker Italia as its first International importer. With plans to allocate more than 50 percent of its production to overseas sales, Fisker Automotive is poised to become a leading exporter of premium U.S. automobiles. Additionally, Fisker Automotive, maker of the first of its kind plug-in hybrid premium sports sedan, further announced it has received great interest from 44 North American markets in which it hopes to have retail representation." Get ready to vote for this one during next year's Bob Lutz award.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Stein X Leikanger Stein X Leikanger on Apr 11, 2008

    I'm afraid that both the Tesla and the Fisker EV will feel the financial crunch now. Investment capital is evaporating, and buyers are finding out they should focus on other priorities. The drop in the established luxury market is nothing compared to what these two experimental companies will experience.

  • N Number N Number on Apr 11, 2008

    Thanks, Robert, for properly defining irony. Somehow the word in popular parlance has become a synonym for coincidence.

  • Joshvar Joshvar on Apr 11, 2008

    I think irony got misappropriated around the same time as people started hearing "co-INKY-dink" and needed something, ANYTHING, to shut that up.

  • Jthorner Jthorner on Apr 11, 2008

    I can hardly wait for the Tesla-Fiskar-ZAP Merger of Equals announcement :). Perhaps Maximum Bob and Dr. Z can be brought in to run things. What could be better than herding all the crackpots into one pen?

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