Fisker Delaware Plant Prep Reportedly Moving Ahead of Schedule
By John O'Dell March 9, 2010
Fisker Automotive appears ahead of schedule on its "Project Nina" plug-in hybrid program, although production rollout of the first of the company's family oriented extended-range plug-in hybrids still is slated for 2012.
But environmental assessments of the former General Motors Delaware assembly plant being acquired by Fisker are underway and the nascent EV maker plans to begin plant renovations soon, Fisker executives told a Delaware newspaper.
Fisker expects to begin replacing and retooling machinery by August - hastening the date when former GM workers at the plant will begin being called back to the job - and could begin production of prototypes by September, 2011, the Delaware News-Journal reports.
A Fisker spokesman called the newspaper report too optimistic and said that while things at the plant are on schedule, there's not been an appreciable speed-up in any of the timetables.
Bernard Koehler, Fisker's co-founder and chief operating officer, told the paper that the initial phase of environmental assessments at the sprawling plant did not identify any major problems, clearing the way for other work to begin.
Fisker plans to use the plant to build a family of extended-range plug-in hybrids, including a sedan, a coupe and an SUV-styled crossover, all being planned now under the code name "Project Nina." Prices are expected to start at around $48,000.
The company's first car, the $88,000 Karma extended-range plug-in is being built under contract in Finland for global sales expected to begin in the third quarter this year.
Fisker plans a convertible model called the Karma Sunset and has said it hopes to be able to build it in Delaware alongside the "Nina" cars.
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