You may have already read our detail of the huge government grant that went to Fisker Automotive for its construction of their new electric sports car.  Well, what just came out in the Wall Street Journal is a bit of explanation as to the WHY behind it.

See, Fisker Automotive has a major name backer behind it; you may recognize the name  when I tell you it’s Al Gore.  That five hundred and twenty nine million is going to Fisker so they can build “a hybrid sports car in Finland that will sell for about $89,000″.

Naturally, Fisker cars are also backed by a whole lot of celebrities who all, interestingly enough, voted Democrat in the last election.  Fisker defends itself by saying that most technology starts out pricey, but eventually becomes affordable, and cites flatscreen televisions as an example.

Yes, this is true, but generally we don’t pay foreign flatscreen makers tax money to build them in the hopes that, one day, we’ll get to BUY THEM!  Oh, and those five thousand jobs that Fisker mentioned?  From the look of it, they’ll be in Finland rather than in the United States.

My disgust is palpable.

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For sure many of us have heard by now that Fisker Automotive is scheduled to unveil its own version of plug-in hybrid vehicles and give the Tesla a run for its money. While these were all verbal some weeks back, today it has been made official as Fisker has announced that it has appointed its first group of North American retailers to market and service its luxury plug-in hybrid vehicles, beginning with the $87,900, 100mpg Karma sedan later this year.

Thirty-two award-winning retailers have confirmed their intent to carry the Fisker marquee. The number puts the carmaker close to its goal of having 40 locations across the country by the end of June 2009.

By keeping startup costs low and not requiring floor-planning beyond demonstrator and display cars, Fisker is able to attract new franchises even in tough economic times. President Obama’s recent pledge of $2.4B to support development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery technology is added incentive.

Fisker showrooms will reflect the company’s concern for the environment and their vehicles’ emission free capabilities. “They will be Eco-facilities, not Ego-facilities,” Doolan said. Architecture calls for natural and sustainable materials like wood and textiles. An available solar-powered car port can keep demonstrator vehicles clean, dry, fully charged and ready to go.

(Source) Azo Clean Tech

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Watch out Folks, we have a supercar ready to compete against Tesla’s models. The Fisker Karma in the video above is a hybrid which promises 100 mpg, incorporated solar panels, eco-friendly materials and it will even do 0 to 60 in about 6 seconds. We sure do like what we’ve seen so far. Wonder how much a Karma hybrid costs…

via autobloggreen

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The Above picture depicts the styling of Fisker Automotive’s new concept model. On exhibit at the Detroit auto show, the car bears the name Sunset on its front quarter panel. There is no more information available; however no B-pillar behind the driver’s seat indicates that the model may be a convertible.

Source

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