UK’s Auto Express, citing a European auto importer the publication didn’t identify, reported this week that the Surf had been put “on hold” for European distribution, and that plans to make right-hand-drive version of the Fisker Karma have been delayed.
“The car is still part of our future model development plans,” Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher told AutoblogGreen, adding that reports of delays in the Surf were “not factually correct.”
Fisker, which unveiled a concept version of the Surf at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, will show off a production version at the Paris Auto Salon in September. Fisker said at the time that the Surf would start sales in 2013.
Fisker’s future has been questioned by some automotive analysts and alt-fuel proponents since the company last month stopped work on its Delaware facility to build the next-gen Nina vehicle laid off some workers. Fisker, which has taken about 2,500 orders for the Karma, has received less than $200 million of a $529 million loan it was supposed to get from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Production delays have put the status of the remainder of the loan in question, though Fisker has said it’s in talks with the DOE.
