Critical Knowledge:

• New manufacturer of premium green automobiles
• The first all-new production car from Fisker
• Innovative Q-DRIVE technology
• Four-passenger sedan body style
• Dual 201-horsepower electric motors
• Efficient turbocharged gasoline engine recharges batteries
• 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds
• Estimated 50-mile range on batteries alone
• Range extended to 300 miles with gasoline-electric hybrid technology

Introduction
Fisker Automotive is a privately owned American car company founded in 2007. Based in Southern California, the Fisker talent pool is comprised of former BMW, Ford and Porsche executives who have joined founder Henrik Fisker-former Design Director for Aston Martin-to "lead the future and define automotive design by creating the ultimate eco-chic car." The company isn't completely new to cars. In fact, it made its name transforming premium-car platforms into luxuriously handcrafted limited-edition automobiles. The Fisker Tramonto (based on the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class) and the Fisker Latigo CS (based on the BMW 6 Series) were the company's first offerings. Now, the company has introduced its first production-ready car, the 2010 Karma.

Unlike nearly all traditional automobile manufacturers who design, build and sell conventional gasoline-powered vehicles (with internal-combustion motors), Fisker has taken an environmentally friendly approach with a plug-in, all-electric luxury model with hybrid technology (a small gasoline engine offers extended range capability). To accommodate the substantial manufacturing task, the company has partnered with Valmet Automotive in Finland. Fisker has predicted sales of at least 1,000 Karmas this year through its special national dealer network. The base price of this all-new model is $87,900 with first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

For more information:

• See 2010 Fisker Karma Pictures
• Read more Previews