REPORT: Elon Musk says Fisker is "very far" from overcoming EV hurdles
In some ways, the all-electric Tesla Roadster and the plug-in hybrid Fisker Karma don't compete. The difference in powertrains, which will filter down to the two compaies' lower-cost models, the Tesla Model S and Fisker's Project Nina vehicle, means that slightly different consumers are going to be interested in these cars. In other ways, though, Fisker and Tesla go head-to-head for the luxury green car market, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk isn't afraid to fan the competition flames a bit.
According to Delaware Online, Musk recently told a Delaware audience (really, Delaware?) that, while he hopes Fisker succeeds, he has "some reservations about the feasibility of Fisker's approach." Why? Because "Fisker is very far from overcoming those [engineering obstacles to build an electric car]." Subtle.
This isnt' the first time there's been contention between the two. In courtrooms last year, Fisker and Tesla fought a battle over insider information that ended with "complete vindication" for Fisker. We'll see if this latest dis causes any further comment from Fisker – a company not known for taking it lying down.
[Source: Delaware Online via earth2tech]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Throwback 7:01PM (11/07/2009)
Hey Musk, just focus on building your own cars. If Fisker's "approach" is the wrong one, why bad mouth the competition? Let them go down the wrong path. I suspect Musk thinks he is the smartest guy in the automotive universe.
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letstakeawalk 12:15PM (11/09/2009)
There is too much needless animosity between supporters of differing EV technologies.
ziv 8:25PM (11/07/2009)
Musk goes to Delaware to badmouth Fisker, and I am not surprised. I wish him well, his businesses will do a world of good if they are successful, but sometimes his petty, whingeing self gets in the way of his businesses. Tesla is very interesting, but it may end up being Musk's stepping stone, Spacex could be the reason Musk is remembered 100 years from now.
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Randy S 8:56PM (11/07/2009)
Too much ego, not enough class.
The result of big success at a young age I guess.
Thinks he knows everything... even if he's right, this is where style and wisdom should take over as it does in a seasoned entrepreneur.
He should embrace any entrepreneur who's on the right track, and anything electric is on the right track. Geeesus man.
PS, I think his 900lb battery is a piece of crap, but he's on the right track, so go get em' cowboy!
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nrb 4:23AM (11/08/2009)
"Too much ego, not enough class."
I didn't have to read any further before I voted you up.
Doug 9:19PM (11/07/2009)
Here's another article on the same event:
http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2010/nov/musk110609.html
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Nick From Montreal 9:26PM (11/07/2009)
Thanks for digging this one out Doug. Obviously, since it's a positive article, it will get less press than the hit piece cited above. More informative actually.
Nick From Montreal 9:22PM (11/07/2009)
Mhhm. The original article has a misleading title. If you actually read the article, you'll find this quote:
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In spite of the past conflict, Musk said, he hopes Fisker is successful.
"The reason I'm doing this is to serve as a catalyst for the electric car business," Musk said. "I want every car to be electric."
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This is pretty much the same classy diplomatic line he gave on the Letterman show when speaking about the Chevy Volt. Dave tried to get him to say something nasty, but he didn't bite.
Some people in the press want to feed on the general public's jealousy for successful entrepreneurs. Over time, Musk will learn to *never* give such a bad quote to journalists -- even if followed by a classy one.
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Doug 5:07PM (11/10/2009)
You can actually watch the entire talk online:
http://www.ums.udel.edu/podcast/detail?e=160
I don't recall a single mention of Fisker.
Dave D 10:01PM (11/07/2009)
If he's being positive and classy he'd just say "I hope they succeed" or "it would be good to see all electric car companies do well" or something positive.
Even his positive comments are thinly veiled "backhanded compliments" at best if not outright slaps in the face. The guy has no class. He's no better than these 18 year old kids that get $50 million contracts in the NBA and act like idiots. At leastt they have an excuse because they've never been around success and affluence before. What is his excuse?
Just another loud mouth with no class.
On a technical basis, his argument has always been that smaller battery packs for ER-EV's will be too hard on the batteries and will reduce the life cycle of the batteries. There is a lot of companies who are balancing this out with supercaps and a good deal of research that shows this protects smaller battery packs and extends their life.
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Paul 10:12PM (11/07/2009)
I’d call it ENVY. Tesla hasn’t announced anything more than a ‘powertrain’ assembly site for the Model S, which is code for battery pack assembly plant. Their contract with Mercedes is for just 1000 packs. There’s NO SIGN of a chassis assembly plant for the Model S OR any supplier network.
The Model S was announced as an Aluminum chassis, very rare in the automotive world and a huge technical challenge to manufacture. Where is the tooling? Will it be sub contracted in part or in whole and to whom?
Fisker are WAY ahead of Musk in producing their own car (as opposed to having another manufacturer supply a modified version of their own design). The next thing we need to hear from Musk is a vehicle assembly plant announcement for a Tesla Model S that is expected to be delivered in only 24 months time.
http://electric-vehicles-cars-bikes.blogspot.com/2009/10/who-will-manufacture-tesla-model-s.html
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Joeviocoe 6:09PM (11/08/2009)
If "Modified Lotus" is all anyone could come up with to bash Tesla, then they are on the right track.
Calling Fisker "ahead" of Tesla by discounting the Roadster is poor reasoning at best, and ignorant at the very worst. The argument has been played out to death. The chassis engineering is similar but 95% of the parts are different in design. And since Lotus makes IC cars and not electric, the Roadster is different in all the places that count. If you wanted to be more accurate, AC Propulsion had more to do with the Roadster than Lotus did.
Your so worried about them announcing an assembly plant. Why? Is that the only measure of progress. And remember, Fisker has a much easier time building hybrid electric in 2010 than Tesla did build a pure EV in 2006.
Joeviocoe 6:11PM (11/08/2009)
edit:
If "Modified Lotus" is all anyone could come up with to bash Tesla, then TESLA IS on the right track.
Murc 11:19PM (11/07/2009)
I agree with Paul's statement 100%.
Fisker has been busy doing things...not talking about doing things.
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Joeviocoe 9:21AM (11/08/2009)
Fisker sold how many Karmas? None (not even on sale yet)
Tesla sold how many Roadsters? Over 800
I think you've got it backwards.
And now compare the Model S and the Project Nina.
Have you even seen ONE Nina anywhere? No.
You are comparing Tesla's SECOND model with Fisker's FIRST.
Murc 6:22PM (11/08/2009)
Joeviocoe - First of all, I like Tesla...I want electric cars to be mainstream 10 years from now.
Also, I like what Musk is doing (electric cars & cheaper access to space)...but I do not like his attitude.
That said...Tesla's Roadster is the Lotus Elise gone electric...thats it.
Fisker seems to be doing a better job, he is getting his ducks in a row before he goes full steam ahead.
And I wont compare the Model S (a nice car) with Project Nina...since I havn't even seen it yet. Thats an unfair comparison.
RSR 8:49AM (11/09/2009)
Joeviocoe, calm down. Tesla is also very new and just up until they began to really produce their cars, people were saying the same thing as you are saying just now. So let's lay it down.
Besides, 800 cars aren't exactly impressive by any means.
Joeviocoe 10:05AM (11/09/2009)
"the Roadster shares like 6.5% parts w/ the Elise. Everything else is made for the Roadster. For instance, all of the body panels, wheels, blah blah ae made just for Tesla." -driver
"Tesla's Roadster is the Lotus Elise gone electric...thats it." -Murc
This argument has been fought and lost a LOOOONNGGG time ago (many years). But since the seats and the dash look like the Elise, people who don't know any better keep bringing back the same argument.
I apologize for being too zealous. I am calmer now thanks. In reality I like Tesla a lot. I like Musk too for his dedication to advancing technology (internet, space, and electric cars). Yes, his attitude toward "other approaches" is flawed. But I tend to judge more on actual accomplishments rather than intentions or attitudes.
And I like Henrik Fisker too. He will be a big player in this new industry. Tesla IS fairly new, has a small but distinguished lead on Fisker, but no less impressive.
Remember, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were in a similar situation before. Lawsuits, jealousy, mudslinging, but to the benefit of all.
ljbad4life 8:36AM (11/08/2009)
I am glad someone linked to a non sensational article. I really have to say shame on you autobloggreen for following this story like a typical gossip rag. I can see what musk is saying. The Fisker Karma is 30k more than a Model S. That's alot. it's not more fuel efficient . Fisker is moving forward and will have their car out starting in a month. I wish them both the best of luck. Finally have an American car company at the forefront of the auto industry once again
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Joeviocoe 9:47AM (11/08/2009)
Funny, electric vehicle startups are the underdog of the automotive industry. But Tesla is the the biggest name in EVs so when Fisker tries to enter the scene they become the underdog against big bad Tesla Motors.
Tesla is one of the big reasons why the rest of the established automakers took EVs seriously. Tesla is one of the big reasons why public opinion of EVs switched from slow golf carts to performance (no compromise) cars.
Now the scene is more EV friendly. Rebates, collaborative efforts with battery makers, and other incentives.
Tesla stores are openning, customers are being satisfied.
And Fisker hasn't done anything yet. But they will and it will contribute to the benefit of all.
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