- An employee at Union Park Automotive goes over the features of the Fisker Karma with a prospective buyer.
September 12 was a day a number of local automotive enthusiasts had marked on their calenders. Fisker Automotive rolled in a pair of its flagship car, the plug-in electric hybrid Karma, for eager Delawareans’ to test drive Tuesday. It is the first opportunity for those who expressed interest in purchasing a Karma from Delaware’s lone Fisker dealer, Union Park Automotive, to see the vehicle first hand.
Last month, DFM News reported on Fisker’s work to convert the former General Motors plant on Boxwood Road in Wilmington into a Fisker plant and the jobs its already producing at Delaware companies hired to clean, paint, repair, and redesign the plant. The plant will produce Fisker’s mid-size sedan, the Nina, starting in late 2012, and eventually become home to production of the Karma as well. The Karma is currently being manufactured in Finland.
The Finish automaker’s Karma is an electric sports car that is designed to have a minimal impact on the environment, from its engine to its “rescued” wood trim interior. The Karma can be driven fully by an electric motor or with the aid of a gasoline engine to get an estimated 67 miles per gallon.
“Everybody who has driven the car has been very excited,” said James Ursomarso, Vice President of Union Park Automotive. “I think it is surpassing expectations.”
Among the test drivers was Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware).
“It was a great drive. I’m very excited to see the progress that they are making,” said Coons after his approximately 20 minute test drive.
Coons also expressed his continued optimism that Fisker’s Delaware production operation will have a positive impact on the First State economically beyond jobs crated at the plant itself.
“It is my real hope that we will be able to then attract to Delaware a whole family of other businesses that are component parts suppliers,”
Senator Coons’ excitement for the Karma was echoed by many of the other test drivers, including Bob Loreaux.
“I’m anxious, I’ve been waiting a long time,” said Loreaux.
Fisker Automotive’s Karma comes to Delaware
DFM News visited Union Park Automotive for the first day the Fisker Karma was available for test drives in the First State.
