Fisker is Reportedly Closing its California Headquarters

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

While a few startup automakers have broken through with appealing vehicles and somewhat sound business practices, Fisker never really had solid ground under its feet. The automaker has recently warned that bankruptcy could be imminent if an investor or buyer doesn’t step in, and we’re now hearing reports that the company is shuttering its California headquarters.


Business Insider reported that Fisker is in the early stages of closing its location in Manhattan Beach, CA, citing sources within the company. The publication noted that workers will be moved to the company’s other location in La Palma, and some have been told to collect their things from the headquarters site to facilitate the move.


Fisker’s most recent regulatory report to the Securities and Exchange Commission stated that its $54 million in cash reserves “will not be sufficient to meet its current obligations.” The company has flirted with potential buyers and investors, with Nissan reportedly showing interest, but nothing has materialized, leaving it high and dry.


The automaker’s only EV has seen dramatic price drops in recent times, falling to less than half of its initial sales price. That move may seem appealing for some, but the risks of buying into a flailing startup that hasn’t shown a strong ability to fix problems or respond to customers should be enough to cause anyone concern.


It’s easy to poke fun at founder Henrik Fisker for yet another failed automotive startup, but the reality is that more choices are better for buyers. Besides, the Fisker Ocean is a compelling-looking EV, and many of its problems could likely be resolved with a careful software update. That said, I’m not eager to jump in line to buy one, and it appears few others are, either.


[Image: Fisker]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • TheMrFreeze JD Power's surveys mean nothing to me. We live in an age where we have unprecedented access to actual, relevant data, and by that I mean working mechanics who see all of these cars up close and are willing to share what's good and what's crap. The wife drives a Fiat 500...had I listened to JD Power or Consumer Reports or whatnot we never would have bought one, but more than one mechanic I talked to said they were pretty reliable cars. Bought one, guess what...it's been reliable.
  • Akear Mary Barra has little or no feel for the market. This is yet another reason why GM will perform better when she retires. Barra's track record at GM is about as good as Biden debate performance last week.
  • Peter Nissan should hire someone to explain basic economics to their Board of Directors.
  • Jeff China now has the manufacturing capacity to produce 1/3 of the World's vehicles but under the current geopolitical environment this will not happen. As someone above stated all bets are off if China invades Taiwan. What many don't understand is that China plans for the long term and can wait it out till the geopolitical environment becomes less hostile toward China. I am not endorsing Chinese trade just stating that China is preparing for the future.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Im glad it was fixed in time that would’ve been a huge pain and inconvenience to you if it had broke. My 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 has been great with no recalls. My 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 actually had a recall for the gas tank and seat belt warning stickers about 10 years go and Toyota fixed it, got a new tank, fuel lines and stickers.
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