[TexasDavid]

I've been thinking how great Fisker is, but not seeing that in the marketing and sales department. To that end, I made some of my own notes. I am curious what others think about it.

http://thefascinatingworldof.blogspot.com/2013/03/if-i-wrote-fisker-karma-marketing-plan.html

 

[Sandy Eggo]

That's pretty awesome, David. You should post on the Fisker Facebook fanpage and possibly Reddit. See if folks pick up on it.

 

[Sigurd]

@TexasDavid, you're hired.

 

[smithles]

I thought the whole "plan" was well executed. There will always be individuals with opinions different than the afore mentioned plan, but that should not keep Fisker from pushing their perspective or your perspective. I do find the dialog on the Buzz to be more critical than any other vehicle fan site. TMC is not as "negative" nor is the Mercedes SLK and every corvette group is a firm believer in the "corvette religion." I am not suggesting those who own a Karma need to be blind supporters, but I am questioning why I read more negative comments here yet when I talk to any owner to date, they to a person love their car. Where is "that data" when doing marketing? Is there something different about Karma owners??? Is it a phenomenon associated with earlier adopters? If so then why don't other organizations have that same negative tone. ---any thoughts?

 

[Fabulist]

The fact that Fisker has failed to tap into the incredibly enthusiastic and satisfied customer base as their brand ambassadors has been a great source of frustration for me and others I have talked to about this. I am not a marketing guy and I don't play one on TV, but what would speak to me as a consumer is basically photos of Karma owners with their cars and a one-line quote such as "the best car I ever owned; can't wait each day to drive it", over and over again. There are enough Karma owners that each ad could be a different group of people with a diverse mix of gender, age, profession, car history, etc. All the other stuff about green creds, responsible luxury, etc. is already pretty stale. What is lingering is the bad press and nothing can overcome that as quickly and effectively as "I have been a real Karma owner for x miles and I absolutely love this car", over and over and over again.

 

[DHarris]

Thank you

I've been thinking how great Fisker is, but not seeing that in the marketing and sales department. To that end, I made some of my own notes. I am curious what others think about it.

http://thefascinatingworldof.blogspot.com/2013/03/if-i-wrote-fisker-karma-marketing-plan.html

LOVE IT! I can't see page 4 and page 12. Can you e-mail it to me?

[email protected]

Really this is great! Call me to discuss. 714-485-1283

 

[Lormax]

Fabulist, there are a number of customer testimonial videos on the websites (I know Santa Monica and Orange County have videos). I believe they were filmed during the So Cal drive and tour of the facility event.

 

[smoothoperator]

I've been thinking how great Fisker is, but not seeing that in the marketing and sales department. To that end, I made some of my own notes. I am curious what others think about it.

http://thefascinatingworldof.blogspot.com/2013/03/if-i-wrote-fisker-karma-marketing-plan.html

You are a genius... Fisker please hire this guy.

 

[Fabulist]

Fabulist, there are a number of customer testimonial videos on the websites (I know Santa Monica and Orange County have videos). I believe they were filmed during the So Cal drive and tour of the facility event.

Yes, there are a handful and they are done by individual dealers. I am talking about hundreds of them on Fisker's national website, and in national advertising.

 

[Fabulist]

You are a genius... Fisker please hire this guy.

If Fisker hired him, we will never hear from him again. I think it is better that he stays outside Fisker.

 

[Ira]

Some random thoughts from Hawaii as I suffer separation anxiety from my new Fisker, back home in California. (Haven't felt like that in a long time.)

1. While at the dealership a few days ago, a frustrated Tesla owner called in. Halfway between SF and LA he had to wait 3-hours in line to get filled up. He was hopping mad and ready to dump the Tesla. There are a lot of plug-ins now, and more to be introduced soon. Is this Tesla owner's experience an early warning sign that the public charging station infrastructure won't keep up? If so, it suggests that a pure electric - regardless of range - isn't ready for prime time.

2. It feels like Elon and Henrik built their respective cars because they could and not necessarily to turn a profit in the near-term. It's all about creating a brand. Fisker hasn't yet done that yet as we all know from the startled looks on faces as people walk around the car. Hopefully that will change if and when the company receives the capital to make the Atlantic. My wife loves the Karma, but won't commute in it since the parking spaces at work are too narrow. The Atlantic can't come soon enough for her.

3. I don't know if this is accurate, but I've heard that the cost of routine maintenance of an ICE vehicle is approximately 3x that of a plug-in. Anybody have any data on this? If true, it another selling point for the technology beyond what TexasDavid has presented.

 

[smoothoperator]

3. I don't know if this is accurate, but I've heard that the cost of routine maintenance of an ICE vehicle is approximately 3x that of a plug-in. Anybody have any data on this? If true, it another selling point for the technology beyond what TexasDavid has presented.

In theory yes. I am not sure about other EV manufacturers but Tesla charges a flat $600/year for maintenance. They do have a future prepaid maintenance program where you pay them in advance ($1900). You cannot select this option currently. Also in order to keep your warranty on the Model S you are required to pay $600/year/10k miles. This is not cheaper than most ICE cars. I am sure the Leaf, Volt etc are cheaper to maintain. I prefer the Karma model where everything is included in the price.

 

[Ira]

The Model T should be relatively maintenance-free. I wonder what one gets for $600/year? A software update?

 

[teslaowner]

I'm guessing Tesla didn't include maintenance in the cost of the car as a way to not have to raise the price they promised years ago. Not the best move, but understandable, and not a big deal.

For instance, companies like Audi charge similar amounts for their maintenance plans. If you're willing to pay up-front (which is what rolling the cost into the price of the car does), the cost drops to $475/year. So, Model S is $62,000 base car, not a $60,000 base car - before rebates.

You can't actually buy the maintenance plan yet, because no Model S is old enough to require its first service.

As for what you get for the $475, well, I can't argue that it sure seems a high price, even if it does cover wiper blades. But, in the overall scheme of things, it doesn't strike me as a sales blocker on this category of car. Gen3 will be a different story, of course.

 

[smoothoperator]

I'm guessing Tesla didn't include maintenance in the cost of the car as a way to not have to raise the price they promised years ago. Not the best move, but understandable, and not a big deal.

For instance, companies like Audi charge similar amounts for their maintenance plans. If you're willing to pay up-front (which is what rolling the cost into the price of the car does), the cost drops to $475/year. So, Model S is $62,000 base car, not a $60,000 base car - before rebates.

You can't actually buy the maintenance plan yet, because no Model S is old enough to require its first service.

As for what you get for the $475, well, I can't argue that it sure seems a high price, even if it does cover wiper blades. But, in the overall scheme of things, it doesn't strike me as a sales blocker on this category of car. Gen3 will be a different story, of course.

This is not true, there is at least one Model S (that I know of) that has required service. Tesla has told the owner that once the maintenance program becomes available they will refund the $600 service cost.

Rolling the cost in the car is bs IMO. This would mean that BMW's would cost more than Mercedes, ditto for Audi v Mercedes etc. Explain that. It is more of a marketing sales tactic by the manufacturers.

This is a money grab by Tesla plain and simple. The most ridiculous part is in order to retain warranty you have to pay them $600/year. That is a scam of epic proportions. In order for me to have a warranty after 10k miles on my 115k car I have to pay them 600/year? Wake up and smell the coffee!

 

[Ira]

I agree that $600/year might not be a deal killer - but it sure doesn't help the cause. In the overall scheme of things, Tesla's success promotes all EVs by raising public awareness, and increases the pressure on government and business entities for more charging stations and dedicated parking spaces. These infrastructure enhancements are essential to the ultimate success of pure electrics, and very helpful to Fisker and the other electric-range-limited plug-ins.

Having to buy a warranty is just another barnacle on the Ship of Progress.