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Fisker Automotive Buys GM Plant, Killing GM Resurrection

Dan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:29:06 +0000

Well, maybe our headline is a bit drastic, but Fisker Automotive did purchase the Wilmington, Delaware assembly line from General Motors. Their plan is to start “Project NINA” – a giant robotic car that will destroy all humans! Oh wait, we weren’t supposed to mention that. Their cover story: NINA will be an “affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan.” It sounds like Fisker is buying a plant from GM to build a vehicle that will rival Chevrolet’s Volt.

2008 - Building the Cobalt

Here’s the official press release:

FISKER AUTOMOTIVE TO BUY U.S. ASSEMBLY PLANT TO BUILD AFFORDABLE PLUG-IN HYBRID CARS

WILMINGTON, DE — Oct. 27, 2009 – Fisker Automotive has selected the Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington Delaware to build affordable plug-in hybrid cars.

Fisker executives made the announcement inside the dormant facility today, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other state officials.

The plant will support Fisker Automotive’s Project NINA, the development and build of an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan costing about $39,900 after federal tax credits.

Production is scheduled to begin in late 2012. Fisker Automotive anticipates Project NINA will ultimately create or support 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs by 2014, as production ramps up to full capacity of 75,000-100,000 vehicles per year. More than half will be exported, the largest percentage of any domestic manufacturer.

The modernized Wilmington Assembly plant was selected for its size, production capacity, world-class paint facilities, access to shipping ports, rail lines and available skilled workforce.

“This is a major step toward establishing America as a leader of advanced vehicle technology,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO. “Wilmington is perfect for high quality, low volume production and will soon be the proud builder of world-class, fuel-efficient Fisker plug-in hybrids.”

Fisker Automotive has signed a letter of intent with Motors Liquidation Co. (MLC), formerly known as General Motors Corp. to purchase the Wilmington plant for $18 million after a routine four-month evaluation period.

An additional $175 million will be spent to refurbish and retool the factory over the next three years.

Funds will come from a conditional loan of $528.7M the Department of Energy awarded the company in September.

The loan is part of the $25B Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program (ATVM) appropriated by Congress in 2007 to help the United States lead in the development and manufacturing of advanced technology vehicles.

The company’s first car, the Fisker Karma, will be the world’s first production plug-in hybrid when it goes on sale this summer at retailers in the U.S. and Europe.

Fisker plug-in hybrid cars will help remove the country’s dependence on foreign energy by eliminating the need for 42 million barrels of oil by 2016. They will also offset 8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“With our close-knit business, government, and educational communities and our potential to respond rapidly to new opportunities, today’s announcement is a testament to what works best in Delaware. Fisker is a perfect partner in shaping Delaware’s economic future, and we are thrilled that the vehicle that can reshape the automobile industry will be built here in Delaware, by Delaware workers.” said Governor Jack Markell (D-Delaware).

Gary Casteel, UAW director responsible for the plant, said, “It gives me great pride to give UAW Local 435 workers the opportunity to partner with Fisker Automotive to create a greener America by building a plug-in hybrid car that will compete globally.”

ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Fisker Automotive is a privately owned, premium American car company with a vision to lead the automotive industry into the next-generation of automobiles with high-end design expertise and eco-friendly powertrain technology. Global headquarters are in Irvine, California, USA.

The company was created in 2007 to leverage the design capabilities of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, founded by auto design veterans Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, and the PHEV powertrain capabilities of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ-QTWW), a major Tier 1 supplier of clean vehicle technologies to the automotive OEMs. Previously, Fisker, CEO, was design director for Aston Martin and president and CEO of BMW’s DesignworksUSA. Koehler, COO, led operations for Ford’s Global Advanced Design Studio and created concept cars for Aston Martin, MINI and BMW.

They Moved Chevy Volt’s Charging Port!!

Dan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:10:25 +0000

In the only exciting news pertaining to the Chevrolet Volt in recent history, GM has moved the electric charging port several inches on the front fender. Kicking Tires pointed out this move, which takes a little style away from Volt’s design.

The recharge port went from a cool hidden plug under a “VOLT” tag to a circular, gas cap looking hole just below that logo. A source at GM noted “the company has moved the charging port for the electric motor from a stylized design element on the front fender to a covered input that looks similar to a standard gas cap.” I guess the regular gasoline cap is still in the same spot.

Chevrolet at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

Dan — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:53:06 +0000

After Bob Lutz is done talking-up Cadillac’s version of the Volt (called Converj) he’ll be making the rounds with reporters, getting ready to unveil concepts Chevy feels will help them out of a financial crisis and take them well into the 21st century. They better have some good ideas, since we’re already 9 years into that century.

Chevrolet Volt Electric Car

First off was Chevrolet’s press release announcing their 40 miles per ~~gallon~~ charge Volt electric car will have it’s Lithium Ion battery constructed by LG Chem, located in Troy, Michigan. Keeping things local, Chevrolet will also contract the University of Michigan to create a class specializing in battery engineering. Don’t be surprised if your future Volt battery has a big blue and yellow “M” logo.

2010 Chevrolet Spark / Beat Concept

Chevrolet’s Beat concept has grown (metaphorically speaking) into the 2010 Spark Concept. This small Aveo replacement, taking cues from foreign couples and small 4-doors, has an engine range starting with a 1.2-liter front wheel drive vehicle. This concept is already a star in its own right, as one of the robots from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

A new Equinox is covering Chevrolet in the Crossover/Small SUV segment for 2010. This redesign is taller with a wider front end. This stores a “2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine estimated at 182 horsepower (135 kW), which delivers an estimated 30 mpg highway, 21 mpg city (EPA certification pending).”

As for the rest of General Motor’s brands, a future for Saturn, Pontiac and Saab seems bleak. If all goes well with bailout spending GM will focus on Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC – Saab will soon be sold off and Pontiac will be downgraded. Saturn, as it looks, is at its end. When Automotive News broached the subject with GM North America Tony Clarke he stated simply “We’re going to be a smaller company.”