Valmet to assemble Fisker Karma in Finland
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jul 15th 2008 at 12:31PM 
California-based Fisker Automotive has signed a letter of intent with Valmet Automotive to assemble its Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan in Finland beginning in late 2009. Valmet assembles cars under contract for other brands. Since the launch of the Porsche Boxster in 1997 Valmet has assembled the cars as a second source to Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Porsche recently announced plans to move Boxster production to Magna Steyr in Graz Austria in 2012. Fisker Karma production will begin at Valmet in the second half of 2009, with North American deliveries expected to begin in late 2009. European deliveries of the new car should start sometime in 2010. The companies are currently projecting volumes of 15,000 cars per year. In addition to manufacturing, Valmet will also supply engineering services for Fisker. Unlike the Tesla Roadster, which is shipped to California from the Lotus factory in England as a glider, Valmet will complete production of the Karma. The Karma is planned to have a 50-mile electric range with a gasoline range extender bringing the total to 350 miles. Thanks to Joni for the tip!
[Source: Valmet Automotive]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
a.brien 1:13PM (7/15/2008)
With his gasoline range extender and 50 miles battery autonomy this car will certainly beat the tesla. It should be ready before the volt of GM a car like the fisker. I wish them luck.
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Bill 2:12PM (7/15/2008)
This certainly adds credibility to Fiskar's ambitious goals. I really like the car in general and wish them well, but for my needs it doesn't look like it will have enough trunk space. Hopefull we'll be able to see a real one pretty soon now.
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tankd0g 3:31PM (7/15/2008)
Somehow it always looked like it came from Finland anyway.
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Throwback 3:46PM (7/15/2008)
Smart choice by Fisker. Go with an established manufacturer, which will reduce build issues. Tesla, are you listening?
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Ian 5:45PM (7/15/2008)
I don't care how cool the technology is, that vehicle is ugly. Ugly as sin.
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Tony Belding 6:13PM (7/15/2008)
Valmet? Valmet??
Don't they make assault rifles?
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Tapio 6:51AM (7/16/2008)
Also tractors, papermills, locomotives etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmet
stevefazek 6:16PM (7/15/2008)
they also build saab convertibles.
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wave54 10:05PM (7/15/2008)
Oh, you're not even close! THIS car is ugly as sin:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/
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The Inconvenient Treehugger 6:42AM (7/23/2008)
Valmet Automotives has a lot of available production capasity at their Uusikaupunki factory. Karma is no where near covering the factory´s capasity of producing 50,000 cars per year so they need more contracts. So there could be more electric car production news from Valmet as that is the direction they want to go. I for one would not mind a contract on some Mitsubishi i MiEV´ish and affordable electric car. Europe needs one just as bad as US.
By the way, any news on the battery manufacturer for the Fisker Karma?
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