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Due to the global enthusiasm for its Ocean electric SUV, Fisker has announced that it wants to increase its annual production to more than 50,000 units. The start-up is also considering producing in the United States in order to benefit from tax credits.
Particular fate than that of the brand new Fisker Ocean, an electric SUV from the eponymous manufacturer. Revealed for the first time in November 2019, it was necessary to wait for the time of a global pandemic to find out a little more about the vehicle. And it was on the occasion of the reopening of the Los Angeles show in November 2021 that the founder and CEO Henrik Fisker made the show by delivering in detail the technical characteristics of his electric SUV, available in three finishes ( Sport, Ultra and Extreme).
Not having a factory, Fisker has therefore signed a partnership with the Austrian Magna Steyr, also co-developer of the modular platform. Originally, Fisker had counted on 50,000 vehicles per year, but the American start-up must revise its ambitions upwards in the face of the growing interest aroused by its SUV. As proof, the special edition One, limited to 5,000 units, was sold out in 30 days last July, and a waiting list was opened. To date, it lists nearly 1,000 customers who are all counting on a withdrawal.
Regarding the classic models, Fisker announces that 58,000 pre-bookings have been made, more than a year of production. However, this does not mean that these pre-orders will turn into firm purchases.
© Erick Fontaine / Digital
Last April, in an interview with the site auto newsHenrik Fisker said that increasing production of the Ocean SUV would not be a problem for Magna Steyr, capable of tripling to 150,000 vehicles per year from 2024. Note that in July 2022, Fisker announced the arrival of Alpay Uguz, a BMW defector, appointed supervisor for global production, which is set at one million electric vehicles annually by 2027.
Juicy, but constraining US market
In addition to production, Fisker has to deal with the problematic US market, the rules of the game of which have been modified. Indeed, to benefit from tax credits, electric vehicles must be produced locally. Outside, Fisker does not have a factory across the Atlantic.
© Erick Fontaine / Digital
The solution could come from the Lordstown Motors plant (formerly belonging to General Motors), located in Lordstown (Ohio), whose new owner is a certain Foxconn. Recall that the Taiwanese equipment manufacturer plans to manufacture, in partnership with Lordstown Motors, a start-up specializing in electric cars, the Endurance electric pick-up.
Importantly, Foxconn and Fisker are also expected to produce a new electric vehicle known as Project PEAR. Production of 150,000 vehicles per year is expected to begin by 2024.
This solution, if adopted, requires that the production lines be modified in order to be able to manufacture the Ocean’s modular platform. Alternatively, Fisker could consider producing its electric SUV in Canada, the country where the parent company of Magna-Steyr (Magna) is located.