Corporate Background / History
Q: Who is Fisker Automotive?
A: Fisker Automotive is a new American car company developing a range of premium green
vehicles that combine performance, style and beauty with advanced powertrain technology and
environmental responsibility.
Q: Who founded Fisker Automotive and when?
A: Fisker Automotive was founded in August 2007 by Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, an automotive design
house (operated by Henrik Fisker and Bernard Koehler), and Quantum Technologies (NASDAQ -
QTWW), a major Tier 1 supplier of clean vehicle technologies to the automotive OEMs.
Q: Who makes up the executive management of the company?
A: Henrik Fisker is CEO. Fisker was previously head of design and a Member of the Board at Aston
Martin where he is credited with designing the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage. He also
designed the BMW Z8 while with BMW and was responsible for the Shelby GR-1 concept car at
Ford. The Z8 and the DB9 were featured in separate James Bond movies.
Bernhard Koehler is COO and previously led design operations at Ford, Aston Martin and BMW.
He collaborated on the DB9 and V8 Vantage concept cars, as well as early prototypes of the new
MINI. He spent most of his career in design at BMW.
Additional executive team members include Vic Doolan, Member of the Board (formerly
President of BMW NA and Volvo Cars NA); Marti Eulberg, Vice President of Global Sales and
Marketing (formerly CEO, Maserati North America).
Q: Where is Fisker Automotive's global headquarters?
A: Irvine, California - about 50 miles (80km) south of Los Angeles.
Q: Why was Fisker Automotive started?
A: To develop clean, fuel-efficient automobiles that inspire driving passion.
Q: What will drive Fisker Automotive's success?
A: Fisker Automotive is taking a new approach to building cars. Taking cues from outsource
models developed by the tech-sector, the company has developed a new business model that
significantly reduces development costs and time-to-market. In addition, the company is not
burdened by legacy costs, large capital expenses or bureaucracy.
Q: Why did you choose to carry over the Fisker name and badge from Fisker Coachbuild?
A: The Fisker name and badge are synonymous with design excellence.
Henrik Fisker has left his thumbprint on some of the most highly regarded automobiles,
including the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, in addition to the Fisker Tramonto
and Latigo CS designed under the Fisker Coachbuild nameplate.
Q: What does the Fisker logo represent?
A: An American company, the orange and blue represent a California sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
The vertical bars represent the designer's pen (Fisker) and the creator's tools (Koehler).
Q: What is Fisker Automotive doing to reduce its own impact on the environment?
A: Everything we do is with efficiency and the environment in mind. Suppliers are selected in part
for their environmental concerns; sales and marketing collateral are distributed electronically
whenever possible, minimizing the use of paper. Printed sales collateral uses recycled stock and
soy-based inks whenever possible. Display materials, such as those used at auto shows, use a
variety of eco-friendly materials: Natural bamboo, recyclable aluminum, and from other ecofriendly products.
Financing / Department of Energy loan
Q: Did Fisker Automotive receive a government loan?
A: In September 2009 the U.S. Department of Energy approved Fisker for a conditional loan of
$528.7 million under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program
established by Congress in 2007.
Production
Q: Do you plan on offering other vehicles with plug-in hybrid technology?
A: Yes. The vehicle developed under the Project NINA code name will be a family-oriented sedan.
Q: Where will the Karma be built?
A: We have partnered with Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland to build the Karma. The
Porsche Boxster and Porsche Cayman represent Valmet Automotive's track record producing
quality premium vehicles.
Q: Are you planning to build cars in the US?
A: Yes, we plan to build our next generation plug-in hybrids at the Wilmington Assembly plant in
Wilmington, Delaware beginning in 2012. Wilmington Assembly was built and previously owned
by General Motors.
Q: Why did you choose the Wilmington Assembly plant?
A: Wilmington fit our business needs:
- Right size (3.2 million square feet)
- Recently modernized (to build Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice/Opel GT)
- In excellent condition
- Available trained workforce
- Provides a port for a global distribution network
A123 Battery Systems
Q: What is A123 Systems?
A: A123 Systems one of the world's leading suppliers of high-power lithium ion batteries.
Q: Where are they located?
A: Watertown, Massachusetts, USA
Q: What is Fisker Automotive's relationship with the company?
A: A123 Systems is a strategic partner with Fisker Automotive, supplying Lithium-ion batteries for
the Karma program.
Q: Why did Fisker Automotive choose A123 Systems?
A: A123 was able to meet Fisker's performance standards and production schedule.
Quantum Technologies
Q: What is Quantum Technologies?
A: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., (Quantum) is a leader in the development
and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative
fuel vehicles.
Q: What is their relation to Fisker Automotive?
A: Quantum is a founding partner of Fisker Automotive and is currently a technology integration
supplier, providing hybrid control systems for Fisker's proprietary Q-DRIVE? powertrain.
Q: Where is Quantum located?
A: Irvine, California, USA
Q: What other work have they done?
A: Quantum's customer base includes automotive OEMs, dealer networks, fleets, aerospace
industry, military (US Army) and other government entities, and other strategic alliance
partners. Website: www.qtww.com
Sales
Q: What are Fisker Automotive's sales goals and objectives?
A: We anticipate Karma sales of 15,000 per year worldwide. 2011 will be our first full year of
production.
Q: What markets will be your biggest? What are your targets?
A: The initial production breakdown is estimated to be: 40% to North America; 60% to Europe and
the rest of the world. Our retailer network has 45 locations in North America and 45 locations in
Europe (Europe is represented by 4 importers).
Q: Who is your target market?
A: Eco-conscious premium-car buyers that are looking to regain a sense of real exclusivity; those
who appreciate good design and new technology.
Q: What is your competition for the Karma?
A: This vehicle appeals to a wide range of customers. Deposit holder data indicates that our car
owners come from luxury/premium, exotic, domestic, foreign, gas, hybrid and electric vehicles.
Q: Why should customers consider a Fisker?
A: Fisker automobiles offer the features and amenities that eco-conscious, discerning individuals
can't get from current hybrids, but would expect in any traditionally-powered car they purchase.
In addition, PHEV technology is exclusive.
Q: How do you differ from Tesla?
A: Fisker automobiles are Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) not limited by battery range.
Tesla builds electric-only cars with a shorter range limit.
Q: How does the Karma differ from the Chevy Volt (Opel Ampera)?
A: While the technology is similar, the Karma is aimed at a different (high-end) market segment
that does not compete with the Volt/Ampera. Also, Volt/Ampera does not allow the driver to
select a driving mode; it is a range extending vehicle only.
Project Nina
Q: What is Project NINA?
A: Project NINA is the code name for Fisker Automotive's plans to build a line of lower-priced,
family-oriented plug-in hybrids.
