Just days after the announcement Tesla’s all-electric Roadster is to be sold in Europe comes confirmation rival niche sports carmaker Fisker Automotive will sell its Karma luxury plug-in hybrid saloon in Europe as well. Fisker appointed its first European importer today, Fisker Italia, and eventually hopes to sell up to 50% of its fleet in Europe.

Fisker plans to build up to 15,000 units of its new Karma in the short term and eventually plans to lift production up to 100,000 units annually. Unlike the Tesla Roadster, Fisker’s new Karma is still more than a year away from production but the carmaker already has plenty of orders for the car, which is expected to have a final price tag around the $80,000 mark.

“We are thrilled at the interest Fisker Automotive is receiving in North America and particularly abroad,” said Fisker Automotive Board Member and Director of Retail Development, Vic Doolan. “Fisker Italia is an elite international importer, and they demonstrate the resounding demand for ‘style without sacrifice’ we are receiving in both North American retail markets and abroad.”

If the Karma proves successful Fisker eventually hopes to launch a new model costing about half as much but such a car is still several years away. In fact, Fisker technology chief Alan Niedzwiecki has previously stated the carmaker has three new models in the works.

Another key difference between the Karma and Tesla Roadster is that Fisker’s car features a small petrol engine turning a generator to power the car’s lithium-ion battery pack, which in turn powers an electric motor used to drive the wheels. In this way, the car can travel up to 50 miles on electric power alone before the engine kicks in and starts charging the batteries.

(source: Motorauthority)

Popularity: 1% [?]