Simple math: Michigan plus the American car industry usually doesn’t add up to a net gain in jobs. With plant closings, cut backs, lay offs, and related language suggesting job loss, any sort of addition to the fast draining job pool should warm the heart especially in the state of Michigan which has seen its share of bad times lately.
Fisker Helps Michigan
Well, Fisker Automotive, the self-named “green car company” is in the process of reversing that trend, if you count a ripple of new jobs as being something to shout about. The car company, which will be releasing its all-electric Fisker Karma in late 2009, has opened an Engineering and Development Center in Pontiac, Michigan. The 34,000 square foot facility will be the home to some 200 designers and engineers who help to develop and produce the Karma.
“The available talent, supplier base and infrastructure in Michigan will help us reach our production goal,” said Fisker Automotive COO Bernhard Koehler. “While Fisker Automotive will continue to be headquartered in Irvine, California, the new facility will allow us the opportunity to collaborate with our Michigan supplier base and have everyone under one roof.”
Tesla Motors Loses Its Suit
The announcement by Fisker comes fresh on the heels of a recent arbitrator finding that the company did not steal confidential design information from rival Tesla Motors, Inc. Tesla had previously used Fisker’s design team to help the company develop a second model, a luxury all-electric sedan.
The Fisker Karma made its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January and in April Tesla filed its suit. Because both parties agreed to binding arbitration, the suit has officially been dismissed.
Made In Finland
Earlier this year, Fisker Automotive came to terms with Finland’s Valmet Automotive who agreed to build the Fisker Karma on its own assembly line. The company is currently taking “pre-orders” for consumers who put down a $1000 deposit on the car. Shipment for those who place their order right now is expected to begin in the second half of 2010.
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