Karma Coming to Vancouver
The Fisker Karma, the first electric car said to have an extended range, will be coming to Vancouver as part of its first entry into the Canadian market.
In Vancouver, Fisker has partnered with the Fields Automotive Group, a family owned firm established in 1971. The Fields Automotive Group currently has 29 North American locations. This partnership is only within Vancouver, however, as the automaker has similar deals with the Dilawri Group in Toronto and Calgary (Dilawri will be anchoring Fisker of Toronto at the Shops at Don Mills, Toronto’s first open-air mall…which should ensure high visibility for the Karma).
“Both Dilawri and Fields have the premium brand experience we want – and that the customers expect – in launching a new luxury brand specializing in uncompromised responsible luxury,” Matt Malfitano, the automaker’s North American operations director told the Province.
The Karma is manufactured in Finland at Valmet Automotive. The EPA has rated its combined city/highway fuel economy at:
- 4.5 L/100 km in electric mode
- 12 L/100 km in gasoline-only mode
In independent tests, the German Technical Inspection Association found that the Fisker Karma has an all-electric range of 83 km (52 mi) in stealth mode.
The Fisker Karma Sunset won the North American Production Preview Vehicle of the Year by the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards in 2009. In 2011, it was named the “Luxury Car of The Year” by Top Gear Magazine and “Car of The Year” by James May of Top Gear. It currently retails in the US at $102,000 for the basic model and $116,000 for the top model.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, technological advances and the presence of hybrid and electric cars in BC represent a great opportunity for individuals with auto sales and leasing training. It also will help spark the development of additional, specialized automotive service technician repair shops and service stations. In fact, the Canadian government envisions 500,000 plug-in vehicles on the road by 2018. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by provincial governments, with Ontario, Quebec and BC all offering incentives for plug-in cars.
Things are looking very interesting for the future.
Check out this video for more on the Fisker Karma:
