Elk Grove dealers to offer Fisker hybrids

March 27, 2009 - PRLog -- John Driebe and Tom Price are among the first group of North American auto dealers to be appointed to sell and service green automaker Fisker Automotive Inc. vehicles, the automaker announced Tuesday.

In all, 32 retailers confirmed their intent to carry Fisker. The Elk Grove store was the only local site selected in this initial group.

Irvine-based Fisker said that it plans to have 40 locations nationwide by the end of June. Fiskers first vehicle will be the $87,900 Karma sedan.

Price said he and Driebe expect initially to build a small showroom of 1,200 to 1,400 square feet on land near their Nissan and Infiniti dealership, and employ three or four workers. Fisker service would be integrated into the partners existing Elk Grove dealerships. Price said he hopes to start operating early next year.

Price said he also received Fisker appointments for a dealership in Marin County and in Sunnyvale. Price owns or co-owns nine franchises at four locations.

He and Driebe wanted to locate Fisker in Elk Grove, Price said, because it is a growing area and one that they predict will be a strong market for Fisker once the economy recovers.

Many of the car dealerships that signed on with Fisker are family owned, and all understand the need to offer premium customers a vehicle that reduces environmental impact, according to the news release.

Fisker said it is able to attract new franchises despite the recession by keeping startup costs low and not requiring floor-planning beyond demonstrator and display cars.

An added incentive, comes from President Obamas pledge to provide $2.4 billion to support development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery technology.

Fisker showrooms will reflect the automakers concern for the environment and its vehicles emission-free capabilities.

They will be eco-facilities, not ego-facilities, said Vic Doolan, Fisker board member. Doolan, who led BMW NA and Volvo Cars NA to record sales in the 1990s and 2000s, was instrumental in guiding development of Fiskers retail network.

The architecture will consist of natural and sustainable materials, including wood and textiles. A solar-powered car port will keep demonstrator vehicles clean, dry and charged.

Founded in 2007, Fisker is backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Palo Alto Investors and the Qatar Investment Authority

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