Fisker Karma's Batteries May have Potential Safety Issue

It may be little consolation to LG Chem, which manufactures the Chevy Volt lithium-ion pack that is currently under investigation by NHTSA, but GM’s hybrid isn’t the only one facing a battery-related fire risk.

Another maker of batteries for hybrids and electric vehicles, A123 Systems, announced that it has discovered a “potential safety issue” in batteries supplied to Fisker Automotive.

A123 Systems also provides battery packs to other carmakers and has recently announced the development of a proprietary lithium phosphate technology, which will be used by GM’s next generation of electric vehicles starting with the Spark EV, that is superior to lithium-ion batteries.

CEO of A123 Systems, David Vieau, said in a memo the problem that afflicts Fisker's luxury Karma sports sedan concerns the “misaligned” hose clamps of the battery pack cooling system

This may cause a coolant leak, which in turn, can lead to an electrical short circuit – something that you definitely don’t won’t in any car, let alone in one sporting a battery pack bellow the floorpan.

Vieau said that less than 50 cars were affected and that A123 Systems has “already developed a confirmed repair for this situation”, which is already implemented. He added that, despite this setback, his company’s relationship with Fisker “remains strong”.

The first Karma rolled off the production line of Valmet in Finland last March, but deliveries of the US$97,000 extended-range plug-in hybrid began in October.

Current production rate of the Karma is 25 units a day and may rise to 60 units in 2012, according to company founder and CEO Henrik Fisker.

This is the second setback for the Karma, which it saw its announced 100 MPGe (2.3 lt/100 km) consumption practically halved by the EPA after it was certified at 52 MPGe (4.5 lt/100 km).

Story References: Bloomberg

 

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Suzuki Swift EV Hybrid Takes a Page from the Chevy Volt

Thirdly, Suzuki Concept reveals the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show 2011 in Regina, at the end of the month, and a small city car concept is a Q-RSV Swift Hybrid.

Based on the latest generation Swift supermini, EV Hybrid propulsion uses the same setup with a gas engine range extender Chevrolet Volt.

The Japanese brand says the five-door Swift Hybrid EV can travel a distance of about 30 km (~ 19 miles) in pure electric mode before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the car batteries.

Suzuki has not released further details of the propulsion system.

Style changes during the Swift, regular include head and tail lamps usual, a redesigned grille and bumpers, aerodynamic wheel covers, and a new dashboard and center console. The vehicle battery is in the cargo area.

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Chevy Volt Sales Close to 50% up in October, Outsells Nissan Leaf for the First Time

So far, Nissan’s all-electric Foliage has been the success in the challenge with the Voltage extended-range cross, clearly outselling Chevy’s providing for the first half of 2011.

But not anymore: for initially since the two designs went available, GM declared that it marketed 1,108 designs in July, an improve of almost 50% over September’s 723 revenue.

This is initially Chevy’s cross outsold its main competing in the U.S. market, the Car Foliage, which last 30 days marketed 849 designs when when in comparison to to September’s number of 1,031 supply.

Although revenue of the Voltage seem to pick up, this does not mean that GM will complete the serious focuses on of 10,000 designs it has set for its cross. In fact, it still lags behind the Foliage in overall sales: in the first 10 several weeks year the Foliage has marketed 8,048 designs, 3,000 more than the Volt’s 5,003.

Don Jackson, GM revenue v. p., demands that the company “will keep pushing” to experience its revenue focuses on. This means that, for the two staying several weeks of 2011, it will have to twice October’s record to 2,500 designs.

Adding 200 more vendors to its U.S. Voltage community, which now statistics 2,200 stores in 27 claims, and another 200 by season's end in all 50 claims will definitely help, but it is still to be seen whether it will be enough.

Despite growing the cost of the 2012MY platform edition by $2,400 when when in comparison to to this year's style, Car has included specs to the Foliage. It also made a small improve in let prices, from $349 to $369 a 30 days.

GM did the actual opposite: it diminished its 2012 platform style cost by $1,005 and provided new options, but enhanced its per month let rate from $350 this year to $399.

Story References: Detnews

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IAA 2011: New Fisker Surf adds a Shooting Break Twist to the Karma

As it turns out, Fisker's shadowy teaser sketch of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut was somewhat deceiving as the Surf turned out to be five-door version of the Karma sedan with a shape that is more shooting break than it is station wagon.

Nevertheless, the California based automaker that is headed by former BMW and Aston Martin designer Henrik Fisker, says that the Surf combines the performance, luxury, economy and style of the sedan model with increased space and practicality.

The slick looking estate features the same drivetrain as the saloon matching a pair of 150kW electric motors (403HP in total) mounted at the rear, with a GM-sourced 260HP 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine located at the front and a 20 kW lithium-ion battery placed longitudinally below the floorpan.

In a similar fashion to the Chevy Volt, the electric motors drive the wheels while the gasoline engine turns a 175 kW generator that feeds the electric motors when the battery is out of juice.

In the sedan, the range is 50 miles (80 kilometers) on pure electric power, and 300 miles (482 kilometers) combined.

“The Surf is a first-of-its-kind eco-friendly lifestyle vehicle that offers space, performance and luxury design for people who live an active, environmentally conscious lifestyle and like to drive beautiful cars,” said Henrik Fisker.

The Fisker Surf will go on sale globally in 2013.

 

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