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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  • Tane94 v-6? Why bother?
  • Theflyersfan Well, it's about 100 miles from home and the price is low and I liked the G8 and...oh wait...it's not the V8. And it looks like it was used as a vehicle in a Mad Max movie. And seat belts normally aren't draped across a seat bottom like that. So doing some photo recon work - the seat and bolsters look kind of blown out. Combined with the buckled and wrecked seat belt, I'm thinking 350 pounds of good ol'Kentucky boy who didn't want to listen to a seat belt chime grunted on in and out of there each day. Tim - so, so close with this one!!!
  • Slavuta Kia Soul mostly driven by retirees
  • Wjtinfwb I liked these when new, but a friend that had a GT with the V8 said it was very underwhelming in day to day use and the Pontiac dealer had zero idea how to fix anything that wasn't engine related. He dumped his after 3 years at a huge loss. This one looks beat beyond its miles and age, if transportation is what you need and $3500 is your budget, look for a similar age Accord, Camry, Corolla, etc. Not sexy but won't break you hear and wallet simultaneously.
  • ToolGuy I am boycotting the TTAC Podcast after that last one (shudder), so I will go ahead and chime in here without listening first.If I had a teen and the teen needed a vehicle, here's where I would be:a) Large enough that the kid doesn't start off life thinking that small cars sold in the U.S. are any good or suitable for U.S. roads and other U.S. drivers (for they are not).b) Large enough to have some mass and crumple space when involved in an accident.c) New enough to have airbags and good passive safety features.d) Old enough so that parking lot dings and scratches and minor fender-benders will not be a major issue. (Also save on the insurance, to the extent possible.)e) Enough pre-existing miles that it will require some wrenching and maintenance, which will involve the kid.f) Old enough to not have all the distracting whizbang screens and connectivity (let's focus on your driving, kid).g) New enough to have OBD-II. Old enough to not require registering a new battery and similar frippery.h) ICE powertrain, naturally, so that the kid can truly appreciate the next vehicle, which shall be an EV.i) Underpowered enough to not cause undue heartache.j) Big enough that the fuel bills will sting, every time. (You gonna be a prisoner of the system, kid? Learn sooner than I did.)k) Good outward visibility, no who am I kidding, you can't get that anymore.l) Upscale soft-touch interior materials but only if the kid is a future automotive journalist DON'T DO IT KID. 😉
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