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Fisker-now-Karma
Automotive to build electric vehicles in Moreno Valley,
CA
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Photo
credit: Colliers International |
The
luxury car maker is leasing a 556,000-square-foot
industrial building in Moreno Valley for manufacturing
purposes.
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MORENO
VALLEY, Calif. -- Southern California is back
in the car manufacturing business. It has been more than
two decades since GM closed its Van Nuys facility in 1992.
Fisker Automotive just changed its company name to Karma
Automotive. City leaders here in Moreno Valley are ecstatic
the company chose to build its electric vehicles at the
facility here on Perris Boulevard.
"I
think it's an industry that we didn't think we were going
to get back," said Mike Lee, the city's economic
development director. "It was just perfect timing
for Fisker. We are bringing jobs into the Inland Empire.
We are bringing a brand new industry into the IE. We are
extremely excited they are coming to Moreno Valley, Calif."
The
luxury car maker first unveiled its Karma electric vehicle
at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in
Detroit.
Former
CEO and founder Henrik Fisker addressed the Automotive
News Electrifying 100 conference at the Henry Ford
Museum in Dearborn, Mich
"It goes 50 miles on pure electric and 250 miles
in extended range mode so a total range of 300 miles,"
Fisker said. "It is a high-performance car--It has
400 horsepower, it can go 125 mph. We really have a car
with no compromise in this luxury segment."
I
test drove a Karma at the 2012 Dwell on Design conference
in downtown Los Angeles.
In
November 2013, Fisker filed for bankruptcy after failing
to repay $139 million in federal loans. China's biggest
auto parts supplier, Wanxiang Group, purchased the assets
for $149.2 million in a U.S. bankruptcy auction in February
2014.
Moreno
Valley Economic Development Director Mike Lee said he
first sat down with the folks from Fisker back in March
of this year. Now, the luxury car maker is leasing a 556,000-square-foot
industrial building in Moreno Valley for manufacturing
purposes.
"In
Moreno Valley, we have our own utility company,"
he explained. "It is there to provide them electrical
rebates--that is huge for any type of manufacturing. They
use a lot of electricity. Our rebate program ranges from
nine to 29 percent rebate. In addition to that, we have
a Hire MoVal program to receive an additional four percent
rebate for hiring Moreno Valley residents. They also signed
up for that program, too. That's 33-34 percent rebate
back to them for their utility usage."
The
Riverside County city also houses distribution centers
for big name companies such as Amazon, Skechers, Lowe's
Home Improvement, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Walgreens, Harmon
Kardon, Harbor Freight Tools and Deckers Outdoor.
What
makes Moreno Valley so attractive for these big name companies?
"I
think it's our business-friendly attitude," Lee said.
"When Fisker came in, we assembled a team. We had
the fire chief there, myself with economic development,
our community development director, our planning official
there and our city manager. We even brought in people
from the foreign trade zone. So you assemble a team of
professionals going after this company. When you see the
city manager talking to you when other cities are not
doing that, that's very impressive."
Fisker
posted a video on its Facebook page of a Karma being driven
around the inside of the new facility. It looks empty
as machines have not yet been brought in.
On
Sept. 30, Costa Mesa-based Fisker Automotive changed it's
company name to Karma Automotive, after its model name.
The automaker has relaunched and is on much more solid
ground.
Representatives
from Karma Automotive were not available for interview.
However, their Chief Marketing Officer James Taylor, released
a statement that reads, "With new ownership, a new
management team, and a new production site, all here in
California. It was time to communicate change."
The
company is looking to fill 150 positions, that pay as
much as $26 per hour. They are looking for welders, fabricators,
painters and production assemblers, and other skilled
professionals. About 30 jobs have already been filled,
but there are still lots of openings.
The
city of Moreno Valley is hosting a joint job fair and
art show called the ArtoberFest on Oct. 10 at the city’s
Conference & Recreation Center. Karma Automotive will
be there with a booth looking for new hires.
"Along
with Fisker, this is a brand new industry that's coming
to this region," the city's economic development
director added. "We're hoping to bring similar types
of industries. With Fisker, they're probably going to
look to bring in suppliers, any type of supplier that
would complement the auto industry. We're looking to expand
on those. Also, we're getting a lot of interest in green
technology. We have battery manufacturers also looking."
In
addition, I've been told Karma has shown interest in having
a booth at the upcoming 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show in
November.
I
asked Mike Lee if he would buy a Karma and he laughed.
"It really depends on the price point. I think the
Karma is going to be a luxury brand, but as they move
forward, that's something I could probably look into.
It's a beautiful car."
Shiny,
new electric vehicles are expected to roll off the line
beginning in 2016.
For
more information about the new Karma Automotive, visit
www.karmaautomotive.com.
Related
Stories: WATCH:
Fisker Automotive CEO Henrik Fisker addresses the Automotive
News Electrifying 100 Dearborn, MI; WATCH:
Test drive of the new 2012 Fisker Karma EV at Dwell on
Design with Kellen Schefter interview
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Logo credit: Karma Automotive |
Fisker Automotive is now Karma Automotive.
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PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Fans
lined up to hear from their favorite celebrities.
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Graphic credit: City of Moreno Valley, CA |
Karma
will be looking for new hires at the 8th Annual ArtoberFest.
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