Translogic drives Fisker Karma through firestorm of controversy, emerges unscathed
While it is, indeed, drool-worthy in the “looks” department, its environmental credentials suffer from less-than-mediocre EPA ratings, earning it some amount of scorn from the “green” crowd. Also, because the company received DoE financial support, it has achieved the political-punching-bag status of the Chevrolet Volt, and so every little thing that goes awry gets amplified. So much so that newly-hired CEO Tommy LaSorda has just fired off a missive beseeching customers not to worry, every little thing will be alright. Just to make sure, the company has dispatched a 50-member strong “SWAT team.”
Of course, not everyone is down on the Fisker Karma. Case in point (besides the Bieb)? Bradley Hasemeyer of Translogic fame. He recently had the opportunity to spend some quality time with the tech-ambitious hybrid and, as is his wont, accentuates the positive in a freshly-released video. As well as reminding us of its Monroe-esque qualities, Hasemeyer goes over the gubbins that make this car special – twin electric traction motors, turboed 2.0, and a 20-kWh battery pack comprised of A123 lithium nanophosphate cells – and enthuses over the plush interior with its nice ergonomics and environmentally-sensitive touches.
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Fisker’s Commitment to Quality – An open letter from Tom LaSorda
Quality and customer satisfaction are the top priority for Fisker Automotive.
With any new technology there will be a need for initial updates and refinements and we have demonstrated the ability to quickly resolve them on a case-by-case basis. In addition, Fisker’s 24 hour VIP contact centers, retail network with a proven customer service track record and our comprehensive vehicle warranty are all designed to give you, our customers, complete peace of mind.
It is important to understand that despite widespread publicity of a service issue with a car belonging to Consumer Reports last week, Karma performed exactly as it was designed to. The on-board diagnostics detected a fault and entered a protection mode that shut the car down to protect other components. We are sorry for the inconvenience this caused the customer, but we focused on getting the car back to them as swiftly as possible.
All identified parts have been returned to Fisker for a full engineering analysis.
I have put in place a “SWAT Team” with over 50 dedicated engineers and other consulting professionals to help identify this and other unique customer issues with the Karma. New software has been developed and installed in a large fleet of vehicles and they are being driven round the clock for testing and validation. As soon as this procedure is complete we will send updated software out.
I am personally involved in all these initiatives and am committed to delivering complete customer satisfaction and peace of mind.
Sincerely,
Tom LaSorda, CEO
ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Fisker Automotive is an American car company, founded in 2007, committed to producing electric vehicles with extended range (EVer) that deliver uncompromised responsible luxury. The company is designing and developing the world’s first line of premium electric plug-in hybrids representing the company’s firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style, or performance. Fisker Automotive is a global company that is redefining luxury for the modern sports car buyer. For more information on the brand and the Fisker Karma Sedan, please go to http://fiskerautomotive.com.
