Fisker Automotive hosted an owner appreciation day last weekend, and the tone of the event could be called defiantly optimistic.
The maker of luxury electric sedans has been beset recently by recalls and financial woes, but the event at the company's Anaheim, California headquarters was a message that the company intends to press on, and that owning a Fisker Karma is a great experience.
The day began with a breakfast hosted by Fisker of Orange County, a dealership in Irvine, California that has sold nearly 100 Karmas since the model hit the market in December of 2011. On hand to welcome Fisker owners was company founder Henrik Fisker, as well as COO Richard Beattie and sales manager Marcelo Sandoval.
From Irvine, the party drove in a 28-Karma caravan along the Pacific Coast Highway to Newport Beach, where it made a brief stop before continuing on to Anaheim. The group toured the company's design studios, and then sat down to another meal.
"Range anxiety was non-existent, even as each made their way home after a catered lunch," a Fisker description of the event read.
"This was a fantastic event," said Ross Larson of San Diego. "As one of the first depositors I feel completely justified in buying my Karma, especially after meeting all the other owners and the Fisker team. The Karma is the only car that gives our family the luxury and style we can be proud of and removes us from being tied to the price of gas, which always seems to be going up."
Fisker needs the support of its investors and consumers if it is to survive. Henrik Fisker's comments seemed both a thank you and a gentle nudge.
"This is the first formal Fisker owner event and we hope to have many more," said Henrik Fisker. "Our team has worked hard to make Fisker the first to bring a car like the Karma to market. It was exciting to meet so many who share our vision of environmentally conscious cars that don't sacrifice power, style or performance."
Marcelo Sandoval seemed to imply that, while the national media might focus on the brand's problems, people from his part of the country get what the company is about, and are on board.
"Southern Californians recognize the value of a car that perfectly fits their lifestyles," he said. "Everything about the Karma, from the solar panel roof to the Fisker logo of a sunset over the Pacific Ocean, represents the lifestyle we love so much."
The recent recall of the Fisker Karma was traced to a potential short created by the model's cooling fan, resulting in motor components melting or igniting. A Karma in Woodside, California caught fire earlier this month.
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