Henrik Fisker, founder of the California-based manufacturer of extended range electric vehicles Fisker Automotive Inc, has resigned as chairman, citing “several major disagreements” with top management on business strategy.
In a statement sent to Autocar, Fisker confirmed his resignation from the company bearing his name, citing disagreements over the company’s strategy.
Effective as of Wednesday 13 March 2013, Henrik Fisker has resigned from Fisker Automotive as executive chairman, and has left the company. The main reasons for his resignation are several major disagreements that Henrik Fisker has with the Fisker Automotive executive management on the business strategy.
Fisker CEO Tony Posawatz had no comment on Fisker’s resignation, but admitted that the struggling electric automaker was “in the midst of some serious negotiating,” presumably with potential Chinese investors.
The carmaker has been plagued with problems over the last few years, ranging from build quality issues in early cars, through high-profile fires, and the loss of several hundred vehicles at a port ravaged by super storm Sandy last year.
These problems have been compounded by the slow takeover process of its battery supplier, the now Chinese-owned A123 Systems.
The lack of supply from A123 during its bankruptcy forced the company to hold production–and no Karma plug-in hybrid sedans have been produced since July.
Fisker Automotive has been seeking capital to launch its second vehicle, the Atlantic, after a $529 million federal Advanced Vehicle Technology Loan was put on hold because of slow sales.
