Fisker Automotive has announced a significant upgrade to the VIP Customer Care Coverage included with the purchase of all 2012 Model Year Karma vehicles. This new initiative will apply both to existing and future 2012 Model Year Karma customers.
Fisker decided to make this enhancement in response to the fact that its high-voltage battery supplier, A123 Systems, discovered a latent manufacturing defect in some prismatic cells made in its Livonia, Michigan facility that could result in battery underperformance and decreased durability. As a result, A123 is replacing all impacted battery modules and packs for the Fisker Karma.
Read A123 Systems’ press release here or at http://www.a123systems.com
The enhanced customer care package includes:
A complete battery replacement at no cost for all affected 2012 MY
Fisker Karma owners
All North American customers will receive a full vehicle warranty
extension from 50 months/50,000 miles to 60 months/60,000 miles.
In Europe, coverage also will be extended from 48 months/100,000
km to 60 months/100,000 km.
Fisker CEO Tom LaSorda said, “The entire Fisker Team is committed to the complete satisfaction of our customers and their experience with our vehicles. As a new technology start-up Company, we have stepped up to many challenges in our short history as we have launched one of the most advanced electric vehicles with extended range in the world.”
Fisker has been working closely with A123 Systems regarding a high-voltage battery power loss experienced in one of our customer’s vehicles, belonging to Consumer Reports.
The problem was traced to the A123 battery pack by Fisker’s Quality SWAT Team. The top management from both companies immediately established teams to work together to find the actual root cause. Fisker Automotive’s CEO, Tom La Sorda visited the A123 facility to support this initiative.
“We especially want to thank our valued customers for their ongoing support and continued confidence in us,” said LaSorda. These “early adopters” have the vision to embrace this new technology and become brand advocates as we launch the Fisker Karma in the many markets around the world. To them, we say a special “Thank You” and know they will appreciate these added customer care benefits,” he added
Fisker will work with our distributors, retailers and customers to communicate the details and status of this voluntary battery exchange program.
In addition, Fisker’s Quality SWAT Team also has been working aggressively on the next generation vehicle software upgrade to improve the vehicle experience to customers, with a release planned in the next few days.
“We have delivered over 630 vehicles to customers in North America and Europe since sales began at the end of last year. Our customers continue to report the excitement they feel when they drive their Karma. The design is so unique that the car draws attention like no other; the electric powertrain is so quiet and the handling is exhilarating. We look forward to satisfying many more customers in the months and years ahead,” adds LaSorda.
