Fisker Automotive begins hiring blitz

Fisker Automotive will hire 120 workers in the coming months to staff the former General Motors factory in Wilmington, Del., that will build Fisker's next plug-in hybrid sedan, due in 2013.

Code-named Project Nina, the future car will join the plug-in Karma sedan in Fisker's lineup as the company expands its portfolio of premium hybrid cars. The Karma is launching this year, and production of the future sedan--expected to be priced at about $39,000 after government incentives--would begin late next year. It would slot in below the flagship Karma, which stickers for about $88,000. The Karma has a range of 50 miles on electricity and a total range of 300 miles. It's being assembled in Finland.

Fisker bought the 64-year-old factory in Delaware for $18 million as part of GM's bankruptcy restructuring, finalizing the agreement in 2010.

Fisker will hire 40 electromechanical engineers in July and August and add 80 workers from October through February to assemble the car.

The startup maker of plug-in cars detailed the hiring plans on Wednesday, and it will begin actively recruiting the workers in postings this weekend.

Fisker, based in Anaheim, Calif., will have increased its workforce from 50 to 300 at its headquarters since January 2010, and it has added 300 contract employees in the last 18 months.

Fisker spent about $175 million to upgrade the plant and secured federal loans to help fund the improvements. The factory most recently built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky sports cars.

Press Release

Wilmington, Delaware June 22, 2011: Fisker Automotive will start the first stage of a comprehensive job creation program this weekend as advertisements for the first positions at the re-commissioned Wilmington, Delaware plant are posted.

The plan for 2011 will encompass the hiring of about 120 employees. This initial group will be made up of engineering staff, electro-mechanical technicians, and early teams of production workers as Fisker starts preparing for the launch of its second line of production vehicles, code-named Project Nina, at the end of 2012 with sales commencing in 2013.

Forty electro-mechanical technicians, will be hired during July and August, a further 80 production employees will be added between October and February 2012 and there will be a continuous addition of jobs as the Project Nina platform nears full production.

Says Fisker Automotive Chief Operating Officer, Bernhard Koehler; “This is an exciting time for Fisker. As we bring the Fisker Karma sedan to market and start delivering to customers, we are simultaneously starting to employ a world-class American workforce to build world-class American electric vehicles with extended range (EVer) in a re-commissioned American plant.”

The announcement of new jobs in Delaware comes on top of a significant employment expansion at Fisker's Global Headquarters based in Anaheim, California. The company's headcount in California has quadrupled from 50 staff in January 2010 to 200 in January 2011. By the end of June it will have increased a further 50% to 300 direct hires. In addition, with a similar number of contractors (300), Fisker will have created more than 600 American jobs in the past 18 months.

Adds Koehler; “2011 is a pivotal year for us in Delaware. As we start to hire new employees, we will begin the process of installing new equipment and testing the manufacturing process.”

As befits a company with Fisker's environmental credentials, since buying the plant in Summer 2010 the company has spent the last few months clearing out and re-commissioning the plant. However, instead of scrapping materials Fisker has sent more than 11.2 million pounds of Iron, steel, wood and aluminum on more than 400 truckloads to be re-cycled.

The revenue generated from these recovery and re-cycling activities has been used to purchase more materials, tools and equipment as well as on additional factory improvements. Some materials are being re-used by Fisker itself. For example, wood from the original production line has even been used to floor the reception area of the Anaheim headquarters.

The Project Nina program will be a new generation of Fisker cars, following on from the Fisker Karma, the world's first true luxury electric vehicle with extended range (EVer).

The first Project Nina vehicle, scheduled to roll off the Wilmington, Delaware production line at the end of 2012, will be a mid-size premium sedan that delivers on Fisker's promise of “Pure Driving Passion.”

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 Fisker Karma sedan is the world's first premium electric plug-in hybrid that represents 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, please go to http://fiskerautomotive.com.

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By Greg Migliore