Nine years ago, Fisker was reborn… before dying for good
This page is translated from the original post "Il y a 9 ans, Fisker renaissait… avant de mourir pour de bon" in French.
- 03/10/2025 9:40
Fisker’s story is that of an electric dream destined for a bright future, which has changed course several times.
Founded by Danish designer Henrik Fisker, the brand’s first chapter dates back to 2007 with the unveiling of the Fisker Karma, a luxurious plug-in hybrid coupe that aimed to compete with Tesla and give premium automobiles a more sustainable image. With its bold design and sculpted lines, the Karma quickly appealed to enthusiasts of beautiful exteriors, but its fate was more chaotic: technical issues, costly recalls, and the bankruptcy of battery supplier A123 Systems led to the company’s collapse in 2013.
However, Henrik Fisker did not give up. On October 3, 2016, he announced the creation of Fisker Inc., with the goal of learning from past mistakes. This new venture focused on high-end electric SUVs, more aligned with current market trends. The flagship model, the Ocean, was intended as an attractive alternative to the Tesla Model Y and other premium SUVs. With a design by Fisker himself and a promise of relative affordability, the Ocean drew attention, along with announcements of more affordable models such as the upcoming Pear.
Fisker hits the wall of reality
But once again, industrial reality proved harsher. Production delays, dependence on an external manufacturing partner (Magna Steyr in Austria), and logistical difficulties slowed the ramp-up. Customers complained about craftsmanship and reliability issues, while finances rapidly deteriorated. On June 17, 2024, Fisker Inc. officially filed for bankruptcy in the Delaware court, with assets estimated between 500 million and 1 billion dollars and debts between 100 and 500 million dollars.
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The Fisker saga illustrates the recurring pitfalls faced by newcomers in the electric automotive industry: attracting with design and promises is one thing, industrial-scale production is another. Henrik Fisker will likely be remembered as a talented stylist, but his two attempts to build an electric manufacturer encountered the same reality: in the automotive world, innovation alone is not enough; industrial rigor and financial stability are also essential.
READ ALSO: On August 31, the wreckage of the Fisker Ocean sinks!
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