There’s a lot of real estate, and a lot of specialized electric vehicle knowledge, located between these two fixed points, so Fisker has announced plans to open a permanent technical center in the Midwest. Though the location has yet to be finalized, the likely choice will be in southeast Michigan.
During the development of its Karma sedan, Fisker maintained a temporary technical center in Pontiac, Michigan, but this was shuttered in early 2010. Plans are to open a new and permanent facility, close to key suppliers and experts in low-emission design, in the spring of 2013.
Of the decision, Fisker CEO Tony Posawatz said, “This important step signals our commitment to bringing the Fisker Atlantic to market as soon as we can. We will be bringing our own engineering footprint closer to our supplier base and the expertise and professional workforce that have driven the American automotive industry for more than a century.”
Fisker’s Atlantic sedan is targeted to a broader audience than the more luxurious (and more expensive) Karma. Like the Karma, the Atlantic will use an extended-range electric drivetrain, consisting of electric motors powered by both a lithium-ion battery pack and a range-extending, gasoline-fueled generator.
Development of the Atlantic was delayed when Fisker lost access to government loans, but a recent round of equity funding raised $100 million for its production. While much of the car’s design work has been completed, Fisker sees a technical center as the next necessary step in the Atlantic’s road to market.