Karma Birth Watch 1: Finlandia
Fisker Automotive is moving ahead with their plans to produce the Karma hybrid-electric sedan. Reuters reports that the former CO2-intensive custom coachbuilder (reskinned Mercedes SL and BMW 6-Series) has signed a letter of intent with Metso Oyj, the parent company of Valmet Automotive. The dynamic duo claims they're going to build 15k copies of Henrik's PC plug-in four-door. (Valmet currently builds Porsche Boxsters and Caymans; their contract with the Sultans of Stuttgart expires in 2012.) Even though there's no actual contract between Fisker and Valmet, and no one's disclosed any financial details, Metso reckons customer deliveries will start in the last quarter of 2009. If Fisker pulls this off, he'll beat GM's plug-in electric – gas hybrid Chevrolet Volt to market. You know, in theory.
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I heard this on the radio on my way to work this morning. The Valmet Automotive spokeschap did seem somewhat realistic, pretty much saying that if this thing works out it will be good for the company. Still, it would be nice it it worked out. I guess we'll see in time.
The styling of that car looks like it's designed for five second 0-60, and 160 mph. How long before battery recharging under those conditions?
Quantum is the key to Fisker's success. They already produce a hybrid drivetrain for military vehicles, which will speed development of the Karma.
How many computer companies were there in the 1970's? The big guys (IBM, Wang, DEC) were tired and didn't understand what was happening. Who knew that in 30 years we could buy more power in a $1,000 PC than was in a 1970's million dollar mainframe? Many of the 1970's computer companies failed but the ones that succeeded have given us a great economic and social ride. Watching these new car ideas is fun. In 30 years we might be "driving" 300 kilometers per hour on computer controlled roadways in cars with body panels made of silicone treated cheese cloth and using as much power as our flat screen TV. Oil will be used for making suppositories. And we will buy our cars from Amazon.com.