Reincarnating Karma Automotive: inside the luxury electric carmaker's bold plan to reinvent itself—again
or a company that produces electric vehicles, Karma has been awfully silent lately—and for good reason. The luxury automaker has been undergoing a top-to-bottom overhaul under the direction of its CEO, Lance Zhou.
Backed by a federal loan from the U.S. Department of Energy, Fisker built a sleek, plug-in hybrid sports sedan called the Karma with a starting price of more than $100,000. It attracted notable investors and celebrity clients such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber. But the car was plagued with mechanical and technical problems and quickly became a severe cash suck for the company.
By the time the 52-year-old Zhou assumed control of Karma, the company was desperately in need of an experienced automotive executive. Zhou had the résumé. He began his career as an engineer at one of China’s largest automakers, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, in 1992, after earning a master’s in engineering from the country’s Northwestern Polytechnical University and a Ph.D. in engineering management from Nanjing University of Science and Technology.
He is also emphasizing Karma’s ability to customize its vehicles. “Nobody wants to buy a standard product,” he insists. “They want to have something different, something to reflect their status.” Buyers will work directly with Karma designers to co-create a car based on individual taste. That can range from changing the paint color and souping up the engine to creating a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
The second model is the Karma Pininfarina GT, a collaboration with the legendary Italian coach builder that shows just how much customization is possible. Pininfarina retained the underpinnings of the Revero GT and handcrafted the body style and interior, offering a sexy alternative to Karma’s design.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
On The Road To Success, Karma Automotive Revs Its Customer ExperienceEarlier this week Karma Automotive showcased three new cars at the Shanghai Auto Show. To succeed in the luxury car market, Karma Automotive provides excellent service to its clientele. To do that, the company turned to SAP Customer Experience for help.
Lire la suite »
On The Road To Success, Karma Automotive Revs Its Customer ExperienceEarlier this week Karma Automotive showcased three new cars at the Shanghai Auto Show. To succeed in the luxury car market, Karma Automotive provides excellent service to its clientele. To do that, the company turned to SAP Customer Experience for help.
Lire la suite »
Ford Invests $500 Million In Rivian Automotive, Will Build An Electric Vehicle On Startup's PlatformHot new EV startup was in talks with General Motors. When they broke down, Rivian quickly came to terms with Ford Motor.
Lire la suite »
Volkswagen plans electric vehicle plant with JAC in China: local governmentGerman automaker Volkswagen AG's joint venture with China's Anhui Jian...
Lire la suite »
Inside Biden's battle planHe is seeking to mark his entrance into the 2020 race with a rush of union support, early-state endorsements and fundraising figures.
Lire la suite »
The CEO of a 19-year-old tech company explains how it totally reinvented itself with a tool that programmers find 'mind-blowing'CEO Anil Dash says that Glitch has 'the weirdest startup history.' Here's how Fog Creek Software became Glitch, and why programmers love it.
Lire la suite »
New York City Budget Plan Boosts Spending AgainNYC Mayor Bill de Blasio released a $92.5 billion executive budget—one that continues a steady increase in spending since he took office, even as he promised belt-tightening
Lire la suite »
Are This Week's Storylines From 'The Bold Type' Relatable To You?Would you react like the characters?
Lire la suite »
Italy's 'perma-recession' could trigger a €2 trillion financial crisis that threatens the eurozone itselfThere is no obvious way out of the trap holding the Italian economy back, analysts told Business Insider.
Lire la suite »
Trump administration expected to distance itself from global arms treatyPresident Trump is likely to refer to his decision as soon as Friday, when he will make remarks before the National Rifle Association.
Lire la suite »
Officials: Mueller showed Team Trump left itself wide open to Russians'The Russians found a group of people who were not intelligence savvy' and didn't listen to U.S. intel officials, said a CIA veteran.
Lire la suite »