Fisker idles Karma production while waiting for A123 auction

[ne_one]

Fisker idles Karma production while waiting for A123 auction
Reuters
November 29, 2012

Fisker Automotive Inc said on Thursday that it has temporarily idled production of its Karma plug-in hybrid after its lithium-ion battery supplier A123 Systems Inc cut its output.

A123, which is the sole battery supplier for the Karma, slowed production after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October, Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher said.

Fisker has enough lithium-ion batteries on hand in case an owner needs a replacement, Ormisher said. The company expects to have clarity on its battery inventory after December 6, when an auction to sell A123 is scheduled.

Auto parts suppliers Johnson Controls Inc and China's Wanxiang Group Corp are among the potential buyers who will square off to buy A123. Other companies that have expressed interest in A123 include NEC Corp of Japan and Siemens AG of Germany.

Full article at link.

[richmond2000]

so the SPARK EV might need a new battery supplier

[Car253]

Fisker will go the way of Solyndra.

[MechEng]

so the SPARK EV might need a new battery supplier

Well the Spark EV was designed with the A123 battery in mind. I don't think there is another battery supplier that can make a battery to handle the DC fast charge like the Spark is supposed to.

I don't think this will stop the Spark EV but it could delay it. Somebody is going to buy this part of A123's buisness and production will resume.

[ne_one]

I don't think this will stop the Spark EV but it could delay it. Somebody is going to buy this part of A123's buisness and production will resume.

Actual production isn't slated to begin for months so I suspect this issue will be long resolved by then.

Once the acquisition takes place and they have an injection of cash they'll be up and running again.

[germeezy1]

Is Fisker perhaps near it's death knell, and this is just a way to allow us to prepare our condolences for it's movement toward meeting it's untimely demise?

[escaladelover]

Fisker will go the way of Solyndra.

and it's a shame, because fisker is a beautiful car, especially when it's chrome wrapped

Not that I Like justin beiber's music which I Don't, but his car is defintely smooth.

[F14CRAZY]

How much will it sell for? Can't Fisker just buy it?

[PHAT-JAY]

GM buy the Karma, turn it into a 4 door vette to compete with the Panamera