"Fisker to GM: We'll Buy (Some of) Your Engines For Our Hybrid" Green Car Advisor

Fisker to GM: We'll Buy (Some of) Your Engines For Our Hybrid

It isn't going to solve GM's financial problems, but it's a start: independent carbuilder Fisker Automotive said it has selected General Motors Corp. to supply the gasoline engine that will be used in the upcoming Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sports sedan.

The car, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show 11 monmths ago, is scheduled to go into production late next year, said Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker (right, with Karma concept).

To keep its electric drive system going after the initial battery charge is depleted, the Karma will use a small gas engine as an on-board generator.

The Chevrolet Volt (2010 production) uses a simlar system, which automakers have begun calling a range-extender for electric vehicles.

Henrik Fisker said his company's $80,000 range-extended electric vehicle will use a 2-liter, direct-injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder Ecotec engine from GM's powertrain group as its generator.

He said the company also is considering purchasing "several other additional GM vehicle components to enhance the Karma."

How come?

Well, it was "the fact that it [GM] is already engineering parts for extended-range electric vehicles, and its commitment to helping the environment," Fisker said.

Hmmm...

Perhaps there's a future for the General in the green car parts business, although it would need a lot more customers: Fisker says he's got "more than" 1,000 orders for the Karma so far and expects at peak rto be building 15,000 a year.

That's a few hours worth of production for GM.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor