Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) maker, is facing a severe crisis that could potentially lead to its collapse unless it secures a partnership with another manufacturer or attracts new investors. The company is now attempting to sell some of its remaining Ocean SUVs to its remaining employees in a desperate bid to stay afloat.
A recent email sent by Fisker to its staff, which was shared on Reddit, outlines a special offer allowing employees to purchase an Ocean One, Ocean Extreme, or Ocean Ultra for just $20,000 through the Newport Fisker dealer in Costa Mesa, California. The email acknowledges that some of these vehicles may be previously titled, and additional fees may apply.
The Ocean One, originally priced at $68,999, was the first version offered in the United States. The Ocean Extreme and Ocean Ultra, initially priced at $61,499 and $52,999 respectively, are also available to employees at the discounted rate of $20,000.
While the offer may seem like a bargain, Fisker cautioned in the email that it “makes no representations as to what warranty coverage will be available in the future, including whether services, parts and/or updates will be available.” This disclaimer is crucial for employees considering the purchase, as they may face difficulties in sourcing replacement parts if issues arise with their Fisker vehicle, potentially leading to a significant depreciation in the car’s value on the used market.
In March, Fisker implemented significant price cuts across the Ocean range for regular consumers, with the base Ocean Sport available for as little as $24,999, a $14,000 saving from its manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). The exact number of unsold Oceans in the U.S. remains unclear, but recent reports on the Fisker subreddit suggest that several hundred Oceans are sitting at a port in San Diego awaiting buyers.
The outlook for Fisker appears grim, as the company has faced a series of setbacks in recent months. It was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, missed an $8.4 million interest payment, defaulted on a $3.5 million loan, and faced lawsuits from two engineering partners. Additionally, its Austrian unit filed for bankruptcy, and the Ocean is currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for potentially defective brakes.
